Axemen rally in 3rd period to defeat and eliminate X-Men
Acadia rallied in the third period, overcoming a two-goal deficit by scoring four unanswered goals to defeat the X-Men 6-4
Wolfville, NS - The Acadia Axemen rallied in the third period, overcoming a two-goal deficit by scoring four unanswered goals to defeat the STFX X-Men 6-4, completing a 2-0 sweep in their best-of-three AUS quarterfinal series.
Cam MacDonald scored the game winner at 8:22 of the third, capping off three straight Acadia goals within a six minute span. The Axemen had trailed 4-2 heading into the final frame. They added an empty netter from Liam Kidney, his second of the night.
StFX struck first, with Charlie Callaghan scoring just eight seconds into the game. Bell answered for Acadia at 8:35 on the power play, and Peyton Hoyt put the Axemen ahead at 10:25.
The X-Men tied it before the first intermission, as Raegan Wiles scored at 18:58 while on the man advantage. Shots in the first period favored the Axemen 16-11.
STFX built a 4-2 lead in the second period with goals from Ethan Burroughs on the power play at 1:38 and Ryan Struthers at 10:27. The X-Men had a 19-10 shot advantage in the middle frame.
Momentum shifted in the third period, however, as Acadia took over, beginning with a goal from Kidney 2:33 in. Cole Nagy tied it at 4-4 at the 7:52 mark, then MacDonald's game winner came less than a minute later.
The X-Men pulled goaltender Patrick Leaver with 2:14 left in the game to press for the equalizer but the Axemen held them off. Thomas Couture earned the win for Acadia with 38 saves on the night. Leaver had 34 saves at the other end for the X-Men, who see their season come to an abrupt end.
Acadia captain Peyton Hoyt was named the first star of the game, STFX's Charlie Callahan was the second star, with Acadia forward Corson Hopwo picking up the third star.
With the win, Acadia advances to the AUS best-of-five semifinal against the first place UNB REDS.
-30-
