Axemen close-out 2019 with OT win over Moncton

WOLFVILLE N.S. – The Acadia Axemen closed out the 2019 half of their season on a high note with a nail-biting overtime win over the visiting Moncton Aigles Bleus.

Acadia took advantage of a powerplay opportunity to get their first goal of the night. After some patient play from Owen MacDonald, he feathered a perfect pass across the ice to Jordy Stallard who ripped a wrist shot over the blocker of the Moncton goaltender. The goal came at 6:49 of the first and was also assisted by TJ Fergus.

The rest of the period remained quiet with solid goaltending from both Moncton's Etienne Montpetit and Acadia's Logan Flodell.

It was 1-0 Axemen after the first period.

Les Aigles Bleus were next to strike, tying up the game just before the halfway mark of the second period. After dangling through a pair of Acadia players creating a 3 on 1, Danick Crete eventually finished off the rush by slamming home a rebound at the side of the Acadia goal. Robbie Graham and Alexis Roy assisted.

The Axemen regained their lead at the 14:03 mark of the period on the powerplay. Right off of an offensive zone faceoff, the puck took a weird bounce off of a Moncton players' helmet before glancing off the goalie for a rebound potted home by Cristiano DiGiacinto on the edge of the crease. Mason McCarty grabbed the assist.

The period closed with the Axemen on top 2-1.

Maurizio Colella would give the Axemen a two-goal cushion on the powerplay 5:59 into the third period. A long battle along the boards eventually came loose to Mason McCarty who fed Colella in the slot for a one-timer that beat Montpetit to the blocker. Cristiano DiGiacinto had the second assist.

Though time was running low, Moncton would not go quietly.

Maxime St-Cyr brought Les Aigles Bleus within a goal with 1:51 left in the final period. His wrist shot from the point sailed through a sea of bodies and beat Logan Flodell to his blocker side. Alexandre Bernier and Vincent Deslauriers had the helpers.

They were not done there. Robbie Graham would tie the game at three with just 39 seconds remaining, after a mad scramble in front of the Acadia goal ended with Graham burying the loose puck over the down and out Axemen goalie. Maxime St-Cyr and Francis Thibeault assisted.

Next stop: Overtime.

The extra period concluded with just a minute and half remaining. After TJ Fergus did well to keep the puck in the Moncton end, he found his way towards goal before feeding Owen MacDonald whose quick move in tight to the forehand put the game away for the Axemen.

Axemen assistant coach Kris MacDonald, who manages the powerplay team, was happy to have scored on three of four powerplay opportunities.

"We had some lucky bounces and the boys executed well and got the job done and it was nice to see. We have had a lot of guys out of the lineup and a lot have stepped up. Our group is tight and a have a ton of character and great work ethic," said MacDonald

Axemen goaltender Logan Flodell made 33 saves, while Etienne Montpetit made 29 stops for Moncton.

While Moncton was unsuccessful in their 3 powerplay opportunities, Acadia capitalized on 3 of their 4 extra-man chances.

Both the Axemen and Les Aigles Bleus head into the break following tonight's game, as they will return to action on January 3^rd. Acadia will take on Saint Mary's to ring in the new year, and Moncton will be facing off with StFX.

Provided by Griffin Herrington, Acadia Athletics Communications