Axemen take 2-0 best of 5 series lead with a 5-2 game two win vs. SMU

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Acadia Axemen hockey team take a 2-0 lead in the AUS best of five semifinal series on a 5-2 win over the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies.

Cristiano Digiacinto picked up two goals and two assists in the Axemen win over the Huskies and was named the Subway Player of the Game.

"Playing our game and not worrying about the other team. If we do what we do best, we are going to win games. I think if we keep doing what we do and sticking to our game plan is something that is going to make us successful throughout the playoffs and leading into the Nationals," said Digiacinto following the game.

A repeat of game one between the Axemen and Huskies, the opening period was scoreless.

Digiacinto opened the six goal second period on a deflected Ross MacDougall shot from the high slot to give the Axemen a 1-0 lead at the 5:06 mark of the second frame on the powerplay.

The Huskies tied the game four minutes later after the Axemen coughed up the puck in their own end. Anthony Repaci fed Dawson Theede across the crease for the first of two Huskie powerplay goals in the second period.

Senior forward Stephen Harper replied at 13:26 of the second frame with another Acadia powerplay goal to give the Axemen a 2-1 lead that would last only three minutes.

Saint Mary's scored their second goal with the man-advantage when Dawson Theede's wide shot went off the end boards and came out to Alex Peters who sent a high blocker side shot over Logan Flodell's shoulder.

The Axemen would net two more goals to take a 4-2 end of the second period lead. Digiacinto scored his second of the night in a scramble in front of Huskie goaltender Eric Brassard after Brassard made an incredible glove hand save that he lost control of.

Rodney Southam would add the last goal of the period on the powerplay. Southam fed a pass to Owen MacDonald who returned the pass across the crease for the Axemen's last goal with Brassard in the net.

Garrett McFadden would solidify the win with 47 seconds left in the final period on a 200 foot shot from the back of the Axemen net to a Saint Mary's empty net.

"The first period was pretty even back and forth then things heated up as we know they were going too in this series. We took advantage of the chances we were handed and scored three powerplay goals. That's huge for us. It takes the pressure off us when we can score goals on a powerplay. It was really good tonight," noted assistant coach Mike Alcoe in a post-game interview.

With 80 minutes in total penalties assessed, the Axemen were good on three of ten powerplays, while the Huskies capitalized on two of five.

The Axemen were outshot 31-30 by the Huskies.

Both teams will return to the ice on Monday as the Axemen head to the Huskies' Dauphinee Centre for game three of the best of five series beginning at 7:00 p.m.