In the last game before Christmas break, the Axemen claimed the top spot in Atlantic University Sport rankings with a 3-2 win over the UNB Varsity Reds on Dec. 1.
Axemen goalie Evan Mosher was the player of the night, stopping 43 shots on goal. The Varsity Reds outshot Acadia 45-28.
Acadia picked up the lead early in the game, with Andrew Clark’s goal midway though the first period. UNB came back five minutes into the second period, however, with Cam Critchlow scoring the tying goal.
A short-handed goal by Acadia’s Dustin Ekelman with just seconds left in the second period put the scoresheet back in the Axemen’s favour.
Clark picked up his second goal of the night – and fourth of the weekend – three minutes into the third period to give Acadia the 3-1 lead.
A high shot from the point that deflected off a player bounced past Mosher for UNB’s second goal of the night with just seconds left on the clock. It wasn’t enough, however, and Acadia won the game.
The Axemen lead the AUS hockey conference with 25 points, while the Varsity Reds trail with 24. The red-hot Saint Mary's Huskies, who grabbed a 3-2 overtime-shoot-out win against Acadia last weekend, are on a five game winning streak and find themselves in third place, one point behind UNB.
The Axemen will be back on the ice Dec. 29 in Wolfville for exhibition play with the visiting University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Twenty years ago, Toronto and Acadia met in the CIS University Cup championship game, with Acadia prevailing in a 12-1 win for the first of two national championships. Current Axemen head coach Darren Burns captained the 1992-1993 team.
For a slideshow of other photos from the Dec. 1 game against the Varsity Reds, visit www.kingscountynews.ca
