Axemen fall 5-2 to Moncton in season home opener

WOLFVILLE N.S. – The Acadia Axemen were handed their first loss of the regular season at their home opener on Friday night, as the visiting Moncton Aigles Bleus defeated them by a score of 5-2.

The Axemen were the first team on the board, a little over halfway through the first frame. Forward Johnny Corneil snatched the puck from the Moncton defenceman at the Acadia blue line and bolted up the ice eventually deking out the Moncton goalie, sliding home his first goal of the season.

Les Aigles Bleus responded with just 2:34 left in the first when Wilson Forest ripped a perfect slapshot from the point that beat Acadia goalie Dawson Carty over his shoulder. The powerplay goal was assisted by Maxime St-Cyr and Robbie Graham.

The two teams went to the dressing room following the first period tied up at 1.

Moncton was first to score in the second, just 1:38 into the period. Forward Joey Richard received a pass on the left-wing and wristed a shot through the Acadia defenceman beating Carty to the short-side. Maxime St-Cyr tallied his second assist of the night and Danick Crete also assisted on the goal.

Just over two and a half minutes later Cristiano Digiacinto tied the game up with an easy backhand tap-in off of a wicked cross-ice feed from Johnny Corneil who bagged his second point of the night. Morgan Nauss recorded the second assist on the play.

At 8:44 into the period, Joey Richard scored his second goal of the game sliding home a rebound off of a teammate's shot past the pad of the Acadia goalie. Danick Crete got his second assist of the night on the goal, and Maxime St-Cyr completed his hat-trick of assists.

Only 1:02 after taking the lead, Moncton doubled it when Edouard Michaud found a loose rebound and slipped the puck through the five-hole of the goalie on the edge of the crease. Moncton captain Vincent Deslauriers assisted.

The remainder of the period was fast-paced, and action-packed, but neither team found the net and headed into the third with a score of 4-2 for Moncton.

Though the third period only featured one goal, an empty netter by Alexis Roy with 52 seconds remaining, fans were treated to a very physical final period. After coming in midway through the second period, Axemen goalie Logan Flodell made several great saves, and Moncton goalie Etienne Montpetit remained solid through to the end.

The shots were 35-33 in favour of Acadia, but Moncton held the better powerplay going 1 for 2, while Acadia was 0 for 3.  

Acadia looks to bounce back tomorrow night against the UNB Varsity Reds in what will likely be a tough test for both teams.

Moncton will be hoping to continue their win streak against the Saint Mary's Huskies in Halifax tomorrow evening. 

Provided by Griffin Herrington, Acadia Athletics Communications.