Hockey Axemen win streak snapped at three

BY JOHN DECOSTE

The Acadia hockey Axemen had their winning streak stopped at three games with a 3-2 loss to the Saint Mary’s Huskies Wednesday evening at the Halifax Forum.

Justin Munden’s even-strength goal at 11:52 of the third period was the difference as the Huskies were able to hang on for the victory.

The game was largely a defensive struggle. The Axemen, who had been averaging more than 40 shots on goal for their previous three games, ended up outshot 23-22, their offensive chances limited by a solid defensive effort by SMU.

Ryan Graham opened the scoring for the Axemen with his second goal of the season at 2:30 of the first period. The score remained 1-0 until Andrew Hotham scored a power play goal for the Huskies at 13:26. Acadia held a 9-8 edge in shots in the first 20 minutes.

After a scoreless second period, in which the Huskies held a 10-8 edge in shots, Cam Fergus gave the Huskies the lead with an even-strength goal just 42 seconds into the third period, shortly after the end of a SMU power play.

That lead lasted only about five minutes, until Jonathan Laberge connected on the power play for his ninth goal of the season to once again tie the score at 5:39. The deadlock lasted until Munden broke it six minutes later. Third period shots were five for each team.

The Axemen had the edge in play for the first 10 minutes of the game, but the remainder was pretty much even, with arguably a very slight edge for the Huskies.

Two forwards ejected

SMU lost two forwards, Cody Thornton and Tyler Hawes, during the game, both ejected for checking from behind. Thornton’s absence had an affect on the usually-potent SMU power play, which went 1-5. Acadia ended up 1-8 with the man advantage.

The Axemen ran their winning streak to three games with a 4-1 win over the St. Thomas Tommies Saturday, Nov. 8 in Wolfville.

Acadia overcame a slow start to turn in a solid and disciplined performance, outshooting the Tommies 48-23 and taking just two minor penalties, both in the third period.

David Lomas had the hat trick for the Axemen, scoring once in the second period and twice in the third. Ryan Graham’s goal at 13:16 of the middle frame turned out to be the game-winner.

Justin Roy opened the scoring for the Tommies at 7:01 of the second period, but Lomas tied the score at 9:53, with Graham giving the Axemen the lead for good under three minutes later. Lomas had the only two goals of the third period, at 14:32 and 17:00.

Ben McFarlane had a solid game in the St. Thomas goal, making 44 saves, including 20 in the first period alone. Kris Westblom made 21 saves for the Axemen.

As of last Thursday, Acadia’s record stood at six wins, three losses and one overtime loss for 13 points, third in the standings behind Moncton and UPEI entering this past Saturday’s home game against St. F.X.

Acadia now wraps up the first half of the schedule with three road games, beginning this weekend when they travel to UPEI and UNB for what should be two tough match-ups.