Hockey Axemen looking good after weekend split

BY JOHN DECOSTE

Kings County Register

The Acadia hockey Axemen continue to play solid hockey so far in the 2008/ 2009 AUHC season.

The Axemen split a tough weekend series in New Brunswick, losing 4-2 in Moncton Nov. 1 and then bounding back to defeat St. Thomas Nov. 2 by the same score, but arguably played well enough to deserve a better result.

Acadia outshot Moncton 29-11 over the first two periods and 39-22 overall, but the Aigles Blues, who remained undefeated on the season; scored twice on the power play and once into an empty net late in the third period.

Scott Tregunna, who scored in the first period to tie the score at one, and Philippe Bertrand, who tallied in the second period to tie the score 2-2, found the net for Acadia. Rookie Jonathan Laberge was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season, though he did earn an assist for the Axemen.

The following afternoon, the Axemen visited the Lady Beaverbrook Rink in Fredericton, where they had not won since January, 2005, to take on winless St. Thomas.

Acadia played a solid road game, outshooting their hosts by a wide margin (44-17) and outscoring them 4-2.

Laberge bounced back with a pair of goals for the Axemen, giving him eight in his first seven AUHC games. Somewhat ironically for Laberge, who has been effective in power play situations, both his goals came with the teams playing at even strength.

Laberge opened the scoring at 14:36 of the first period with the only goal of the first 20 minutes. After Andrew Estey tied the score for the Tommies at 3:09 of the second, Laberge gave Acadia the lead for good a little over two minutes later at 5:25.

Philippe Bertrand made it 3-1 Axemen at 7:15 on assists from linemates Chris Bruton and Laberge. Erick Tremblay narrowed the deficit to one with a power play goal at 11:35, and the second period ended with Acadia up 3-2 (despite a 28-11 edge in shots). Bruton had the only goal of the third period, a power play marker at 15:53 to round put the scoring.

The weekend results improved Acadia’s season record to four wins, two losses and one overtime loss for nine points, good for a tie for second in the conference standings.

The Axemen return home this weekend to take on the same two teams, Moncton Nov. 7 and St. Thomas Nov. 8, both 7 p.m. starts at Acadia Arena.