WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Mike Cazzola continued his strong offensive play for the Acadia Axemen, who had to hold off a StFX X-Men comeback to escape with a 4-3 victory Saturday night.
Cazzola had a goal in Acadia's win over StFX, giving the second year forward four goals and three assists in his past four games.
X-Men goaltender, Drew Owsley, played well in a losing effort, stopping 47 of 50 shots including four breakaways.
The Axemen jumped off to a quick lead on a pretty play set up by first star of the game, Leo Jenner, who found Michael Clarke back door for an easy goal, setting the tone early.
Mike Cazzola extended the lead to 2-0 on the powerplay at 4:01. Senior defenseman, Chris Owens located a wide-open Liam Heelis who slid it over to Cazzola, who was standing just outside the crease, giving StFX goaltender Drew Owsley almost no chance on either of the opening goals.
The second period started off a little differently than the first, with action in both ends of the ice and StFX capitalizing on their opportunity. X-Men captain and the second star of the game, Josh Day, brought StFX to within one goal early in the frame on a well-designed passing playing with Rob Slaney and Michael Kirkpatrick.
Acadia bounced back scoring on the powerplay three and a half minutes after Day's goal. Leo Jenner wristed one from in tight beating the StFX netminder on the far glove hand side.
A big hit by StFX forward Jarrad Struthers saw fourth year veteran Joe Gaynor hit the ice hard and a scrum ensued. A handful of penalties were handed out on the play including three 10-minute misconducts to StFX's Jarrad Struthers, Steven Kuhn and Acadia's Cullen Morin. Gaynor did leave the ice on his own accord.
Late in the second, newly recruited X-Men forward Brandon Hynes scores on a great individual effort, banking in his own rebound from the goal line.Jason Bast and Nathan Chiarlitti picked up assists on the play.
Acadia golatender Evan Moser continued his hot play this season making 29 saves including two critical glove saves in the third period.
Travis Randell had three shots on goal and was rewarded the games third star for his effort.
Rookie forward Tyler Ferry added an insurance goal with the empty net, giving Acadia a late two-goal lead. Zack MacQueen scored 16 seconds later while on the power play for StFX, to give Acadia and the home fans a scare, but the X-Men were unable to tie it up. Cole Grbavac and Steveb Kuhn assisted on the MacQueen goal.
With the win, Acadia remains in a tie atop the AUS standings alongside the CIS No. 3 UNB Varsity-Reds with a 17-2-3 record.
Acadia begins a three-game home stand that continues at 7:00pm Friday against the UPEI Panthers and ends Saturday against the St. Thomas Tommies.
The X-Men drop to fifth place with a 10-10-2 record and will head to New Brunswick next weekend to face the first place Varsity Reds on Friday, followed by Moncton on Saturday.
Contributed by Mitchell Racine – Acadia Sports Information