WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The CIS No. 3 ranked Acadia Axemen got back onto the winning track by sweeping the four game season series against the St. Thomas Tommies with a convincing 6-1 win. In their last three outings prior to tonight's game, Acadia has outscored Tommies 26-15.
A rare start for first year goaltender Robert Steeves, with fellow netminder Brandon Glover carrying most of the work load this season - second in the AUS for minutes played.
Thirteen minutes into the opening frame, Tommie forward JC Laflamme caught Acadia in the offensive zone, stealing the puck around an Acadia defenseman scoring on the rookies Steeves on a shorthanded breakaway.
Not long after, second year grinder Scott Trask caught goalie Tommie Tyson Teichmann off guard with a quick wrist shot from the low slot, scoring his second goal of the season. Remy Giftopoulos and Daniel Poliziani added assists on the marker.
Rookie Zachary Franko scored his first of a two goal night, roofing a shot short side over the shoulder of the Teichmann, giving the Axemen a 2-1 lead. Franko has quietly averaged over a point per game, earning himself the Subway First Star of the Game in his three point outing.
Franko would start the second period scoring with his second goal of the night and tenth of the season five minutes into the second frame. The remainder of the period was scoreless with chances for both teams, however the Axemen would outshot the Tommies 17-7.
After an early mistake in the third period of a delay of game penalty by St. Thomas, Acadia took advantage of their second 5-on-3 opportunity of the game, making it a three goal game. First year forward Remy Giftopolous would open the game up with his eighth goal of the season giving the Axemen a 4-1 lead 51 seconds into the final frame..
Chris Owen's added his second assist of the game 4:38 into the third, when Mike Cazzola scored his 11th goal of the year in an effortless goal at the side of net untouched after being fed by Chris Owens from the slot.
Late in the third period with the Tommies on the man advantage, Travis Randell blocked a shot, producing a clear cut breakaway on Teichmann for the Axemen's last goal of a night.
Steeves ended the night with 23 saves, while Teichmann made 40 stops and was named the game's second star.
The Axemen, who improve to 15-4-1 and trail the first place UNB V-Reds by three points, host the visiting UPEI Panthers (9-9-2) Saturday night starting at 7:00pm. The Panthers come off of a 2-1 loss to Dalhousie Tigers. St. Thomas drops to 1-16-3 and travel to Halifax to take on the Tigers who improve to 6-13-1 and sit three points out of the last playoff spot held by Moncton.
Provided by Mitchell Racine, Acadia Sports Information