Couture makes 32 saves as Acadia edges UNB in first-place battle

Acadia defeated UNB 3–2 on Friday night in Fredericton in a battle for first place in the AUS. UNB led 1–0 after the first period before Acadia scored twice on the power play in the second and added the eventual winner in the third.

UNB opened the scoring at 14:52 of the first period on an even-strength goal by Marc-Olivier Beaudry, assisted by Michael Petizian and Cody Morgan.

Acadia responded with a pair of power-play goals in the second. Liam Kidney tied the game 1–1 at 9:25, set up by Tyler Deline and Brady Burns. At 12:50, Bailey Peach gave Acadia a 2–1 lead with another power-play marker, assisted by Cam Whynot and Brayden Schmitt.

In the third period, Charlie Desroches scored at 15:53 to extend the lead to 3–1, with assists from Ryder McIntyre and Whynot. UNB cut the deficit to one on a power-play goal from Cody Morgan at 18:59, assisted by Cole Huckins and Justin Nolet, but Acadia held on.

Goaltender Thomas Couture made 32 saves on 34 shots for Acadia and was named the game's first star. UNB's Remi Delafontaine stopped 18 of 21 shots. UNB outshot Acadia 34–21.

Acadia went 2-for-9 on the power play, while UNB finished 1-for-6. Acadia took 10 penalties for 44 minutes; UNB had 13 penalties for 50 minutes.

The result moved Acadia ahead of UNB in the standings after they entered the night close in the race for top spot.

Up next: Acadia is on the road Saturday, Nov. 15 to face UPEI at 7 p.m.