(HALIFAX, N.S.) – The CIS No. 8-ranked Acadia Axemen squeezed past the fifth-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies by a score of 3-2 in overtime Wednesday night in the opening game of their best three-of-five Subway AUS men's hockey semifinal series in front of 1,720 fans at at the Halifax Forum.
Acadia's Mike Cazzola, named the Subway Player of the Game, scored his second straight game-winning goal in overtime, this time finding the back of the net with 4:41 to play in the first extra session.
Acadia rookie Brett Thompson opened the scoring at the 8:16 mark of the first period when he picked up the rebound of his wrap around attempt. Cazzola and Liam Heelis picked up the assists.
Matt Tipoff evened the score for the Huskies six minutes later with assists going to Shawn O'Donnell and Jamie Doornbosch.
Spencer Jezegou rounded the first period scoring at the 17:52 mark on a breakaway. Chris Owens had the lone assist on the goal.
After a scoreless second period, Chris MacKinnon tied it up for the Huskies nine minutes into the third period.
In overtime, the Axemen got off to a great start, pressuring the Huskies in their own zone. SMU captain Justin Wallingford received a checking from behind minor and Acadia had a great chance to end the game on the power-play.
The Huskies would kill off the penalty but shortly after Cazzola took a pass from fellow rookie Brett Thompson and beat SMU's Anthony Peters to end the game.
Goalie Evan Mosher picked his third consecutive victory with 39 saves for the Axemen. Peters stopped 21-of-24 shots in the loss.
Neither team had much success on the power-play with Acadia finishing 0-for-5 and Saint Mary's going 0-for-6 with the man advantage.
Cazzola currently leads the playoff scoring race with five goals and three assists for eight points.
He also netted the game-winner in double OT this past Sunday in Wolfville as the third place Axemen eliminated the Moncton Aigles Bleus in the deciding game of their Subway AUS quarter-final series.
Acadia and Saint Mary's will meet again Thursday night for Game 2 of the Subway AUS men's hockey semifinal, also set for Halifax Forum. Game time is 7:00pm and will be available via webcast live at www.AUStv.ca.
Source: Saint Mary's Huskies
Photo courtesy of Nick Pearce (www.123photo.ca)