Hopwo scores hat-trick as Axemen top UPEI in bounce back win at home

UPEI

Acadia

Final	1	2	3	T
UPEI	0	1	0	1
Acadia	0	4	1	5

Hopwo scores hat-trick as Axemen top UPEI in bounce back win at home

Scoring Summary

2nd - 01:32 - PP - Corson Hopwo (Acadia)

2nd - 08:59 - SH - Corson Hopwo (Acadia)

2nd - 13:53 - PP - Simon Hughes (UPEI)

2nd - 16:41 - Brady Burns (Acadia)

2nd - 17:40 - Corson Hopwo (Acadia)

3rd - 00:40 - PP - Liam Kidney (Acadia)

Game Leaders

UPEI

G: Simon Hughes - 1

A: 2 Players (#7, #19) - 1

Sh: 4 Players (#4, #11, #17, #88) - 4

Sv: Jakob Robillard - 31

Acadia

G: Corson Hopwo - 3

A: 9 Players (#8, #9, #12, #14, #20, #23, #24, #77, #89) - 1

Sh: Corson Hopwo - 7

Sv: Thomas Couture - 40

Team Stats

Game Statistics	UPEI	Acadia
PowerPlays	1 for 3	2 for 4
Shorthanded Goals	0	1
Penalties (min)	5 (10)	4 (8)
Shots on Goal	41	45
Face Offs Won	42	28

Full stats

January 17, 2026

Acadia earned a 5–1 win over the UPEI Panthers on Saturday night, using special teams and strong goaltending to control the game. The Axemen scored twice on the power play and received a 40-save performance in goal to secure the victory.

Corson Hopwo led the way with a hat trick, including the game-winning goal and a power-play marker, finishing plus-three. Liam Kidney added a power-play goal and won seven faceoffs. Brady Burns recorded a goal and an assist while firing four shots on net. Goaltender Thomas Couture stopped 40 of 41 shots.

The opening period was scoreless despite steady pressure at both ends. Couture and UPEI goaltender Jakob Robillard turned aside every chance, with the Panthers testing the Axemen net early. Acadia held a slight edge in the faceoff circle. With two seconds remaining, UPEI took a penalty, giving the Axemen a power play to start the second period.

Acadia took advantage early in the middle frame. Hopwo opened the scoring 1:32 into the period, finishing a play from Zak Lavoie and Charlie Desroches. He struck again at 8:59, converting a feed from Conor Shortall to double the lead.

UPEI responded at 13:53 when Simon Hughes scored on the power play, assisted by Isaac Vos, to cut the deficit to two. Acadia answered quickly. Burns scored at 16:41 to restore the three-goal cushion, and Hopwo completed his hat trick at 17:40, sending the Axemen into the intermission with a 4–1 lead.

The Axemen extended the margin early in the third. Kidney scored just 40 seconds into the period on the power play, assisted by Burns and Kian Bell, marking his first goal of the season. UPEI pushed back with sustained pressure, but Couture made several key saves to keep the Panthers from gaining momentum.

Acadia earned additional power-play chances later in the period but did not add to the score. The Axemen closed out the game defensively, limiting second chances and skating to a 5–1 final.

Hughes scored the lone goal for UPEI. Yanic Crête was strong on draws, winning 21 of 27 faceoffs. Robillard made 40 saves in the Panthers' net.

Acadia heads back on the road Wednesday to face Moncton at 7 p.m.