(MONCTON, N.B.) – The CIS No. 8-ranked Acadia Axemen posted a 5-2 win over the Moncton Aigles Bleus Friday night to extend their best two-of-three series to a third and deciding game in Wolfville this Sunday evening.
Friday night, the Axemen struck first with a Mike Cazzola goal, his third in two post-season games, at 2:27 of the opening period.
Moncton's Marc-Andre Coté replied with his first of two goals just over two minutes later, but the Axemen regained the one-point lead on an Alex Beaton goal.
With three previous unsuccessful power-play opportunities, the Axemen finally capitalized when Dustin Ekelman scored his first goal of the playoffs to give Acadia a 3-1 lead.
Out-shooting the Aigles Bleus 11-8 after one, the Axemen continued to do so in the second period, adding a 11-9 shots on net advantage over Moncton.
Rookie Brett Thompson scored his third goal of the post-season to give Acadia a 4-1 lead.
The Aigles Bleus didn't respond to the Thompson goal until 42 seconds into the closing period when Coté scored his second goal of the night to close the gap to 4-2.
Beaton added his second goal of the game and third of the playoffs at 4:10 of the third period to give Acadia an insurmountable 5-2 lead, forcing the best of three series into a third and final game to be played Sunday.
Acadia was two-of-three on the power-play, while Moncton was 0-for-5 with the man advantage.
With the Axemen outshooting Moncton 31-29 in game two, it was a stark contrast to game one where the Axemen posted 60 shots on net.
The series will return to Wolfville for game three of the best-of-three Subway AUS quarter-final series. Game time is 7:00pm and can be seen live at www.AUStv.ca.
Source: Acadia Sports Information
Photo Courtesy of Normand Leger, Moncton Sports Information