Axemen improve to 2-1 with win over host Tigers

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - In Friday night hockey action, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted the Acadia Axemen at the Halifax Forum. The Axemen were able to pick their attacking opportunities in this one and come away with a 2-1 win. 

There was plenty of back and forth action to start the game, but the scoring chances were limited in the early minutes.  

The Tigers got the first major scoring chance in the period, breaking in on a two-on-one chance with Jonathan Cyr (Ottawa, ON) receiving a nice pass right at the top of the crease, but Logan Flodell (Regina, SK) made a great play to break it up.  

The Axemen were able to counter with a chance of their own starting from behind the Tigers goal, with Mason McCarty (Blackie, AB) made a move around the post to try to jam it in, but the rebound bounced out for Rodney Southam (Saskatoon, SK) to take a swing at as well, but Reilly Pickard (Halifax, NS) stood strong against the post.  

After a fairly quiet first frame, the teams went into the break scoreless.  

It didn't take long for the Axemen to change that in the second period, however, on an Axemen power play. Ross MacDougall (St. Stephen, NB) hammered a shot from the point that Maurizio Colella (Tottenham, ON) made a great play to redirect in the slot to send it under the pad of Pickard to open the scoring.  

The Axemen continued to generate attacking pressure after the goal, hungry for another. They came close to finding another one with Loch Morrison (Christopher Lake, SK) blasting a slap shot from the point that got over the glove of Pickard, but rang off the bar and out of play.  

Late in the period, the Tigers turned the puck over in the attacking zone, and a great chip play along the boards by McCarty forced the Tigers defenders to pinch, but McCarty was able to get clear for a breakaway. Coming down the right side, McCarty picked his spot and fired a hard shot over the blocker of Pickard and popped the water bottle to make it 2-0.  

The Tigers were able to answer back quickly, however, while applying pressure in the attacking zone, a shot from the side-boards was stopped, but the rebound dropped in the slot for Jonathan Cyr to clean up with a great shot to bring his team within one.  

That ended the action for the second period, as the teams entered the third with Acadia leading 2-1.  

The Axemen continued to maintain their time of possession advantage in the third period, but began to play more conservatively to hold their lead.  

On an extended 5-on-3 advantage for the Axemen, they were able to put plenty of shots toward the goal, but Pickard stood tall on each, and the Tigers were able to get two crucial penalty kills.  

The Tigers pulled Pickard late in the game, looking for the equalizing opportunity, but the Axemen were able to force pucks into the corner and kill the remainder of the clock.  

Time ran out on the Tigers, as the final whistle blew and the Axemen took a 2-1 win.  

Maurizio Colella was named the Subway Player of the Game for his goal-scoring effort in the Axemen victory.  

The Tigers will be back on the ice tomorrow when they take on Saint Mary's as part of their homecoming weekend. The Axemen will take a week off before making the trip back to the Forum for a rematch against the Tigers.