Tigers try to stay alive but fall short vs Axemen

(Halifax, N.S.) – Acadia goaltender Devin Williams (Saginaw, MI) was the difference-maker on Friday night, recording 39 saves, as the Axemen topped the Dalhousie Tigers 2-1 at the Halifax Forum. 

With the win, Acadia advanced to 19-8-2 on the season, while the Tigers fell to 8-18-3. Discipline was an issue for both teams in the opening 20 minutes, as the squads combined for 30 minutes in penalties in the first period. 

It was the Axemen who were able to capitalize, scoring the only goal of the period at 10:15 on the man advantage, courtesy of a one-timer from defenceman Geoff Schemitsch (Thornhill, ON). 

The visitors maintained the majority of offensive pressure – outshooting Dalhousie 12-6 heading into the first intermission – but were stymied on multiple occasions by Tigers goalie Joe Gladnick (Philadelphia, PA), who made a handful of impressive glove saves to keep the score at 1-0. 

The Tigers picked up the tempo in the second period, forcing two early Axemen penalties, while outshooting Acadia 15-1 through the opening 13 minutes of play, and 19-10 overall. 

Williams stood his ground however, making a number of impressive saves to keep the hosts off the board, including two from in tight against forward Kelly Bent (Halifax, NS). 

Gladnick was just as strong on the opposite end, stopping all 10 shots he faced, including a breakaway with three minutes left in the period. Once again, it was the Tigers who were the aggressors in the final 20 minutes of play, outshooting Acadia 15-5, however Williams stood his ground. 

The Axemen would reward their goaltender at 11:51, as forward Brendan Childerley (Stratford, ON) was the beneficiary of an unfortunate clearing attempt by Gladnick, who accidentally directed the puck to him and he made no mistake. 

The Tigers would finally solve Williams with just over a minute left, as forward Alex Cote (Montreal, QC) found the back of the net on the powerplay, but it was too little too late, as the Axemen came away with the win.

Both teams will close out the regular season tomorrow. Acadia will host StFX, while Dalhousie will battle cross-town rival Saint Mary's. 

Source: Dalhousie Athletics Communications Office

Photo by Trevor MacMillan