Third-period surge lifts Acadia past UPEI
Acadia scored four times in the third period to defeat the UPEI Panthers 4-1 on Friday night.
After trailing by a goal through 40 minutes, the Axemen broke the game open in the final frame, adding three goals in a 44-second span before sealing the win with an empty-netter. The victory moved Acadia to 16-7-1 on the season.
Bailey Peach led the charge with two goals, including the game-winner, and finished with a plus-3 rating. Liam Kidney added a goal and an assist and was also plus-3. Ryder McIntyre chipped in with a goal on two shots, while Thomas Couture turned aside 37 shots in a strong performance between the pipes.
The opening period featured a goaltending duel between Couture and UPEI's Jakob Robillard. Both teams traded early penalties but failed to capitalize on the power play. Acadia generated chances from Zak Lavoie and Brayden Schmitt, while Couture denied attempts from Donovan Arsenault and Ben McFarlane. The period ended scoreless.
UPEI opened the scoring midway through the second period. Elias Cohen converted on the power play at 5:47, with assists from Brett Bressette and McFarlane. Couture kept the Axemen within a goal, making several key saves as the Panthers pressed for more. Acadia had a power-play opportunity later in the period but could not find the equalizer, sending the teams into the second intermission with UPEI leading 1–0.
Acadia flipped the script in the third.
McIntyre tied the game at 3:36, finishing a play set up by Cole Nagy and Roenick Jodoin. Less than 30 seconds later, Peach put the Axemen ahead at 4:04, then struck again at 4:20 to make it 3–1. His second goal came with assists from Brendan Tomilson and Kidney.
UPEI pushed back with power-play pressure, but Couture was sharp, turning aside several chances to protect the lead. With the Panthers pressing late, Kidney iced the game with an empty-net goal at 18:49.
Robillard finished with 22 saves for UPEI, while McFarlane recorded an assist and four shots. Keiran Gallant won nine of 15 faceoffs for the Panthers.
Game Notes:
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The Axemen continue their road weekend Saturday in Fredericton against the UNB REDS.
