Deline scores OT winner as Axemen top STFX

ANTIGONISH, N.S. — Tyler Deline's overtime goal lifted the Acadia Axemen to a 3-2 win over the StFX X-Men on Friday.

Deline scored the game-winner at 1:13 of the extra frame, with assists from Corson Hopwo and Cole Nagy. Bailey Peach and Ethan Ernst also scored for the Axemen, while Nagy led the team with a +3 rating. Goaltender Thomas Couture stopped 35 shots in the victory.

Acadia struck early in the first period when Ernst opened the scoring at 5:03, assisted by Luke Zazula and Marc Boudreau. StFX goaltender William Pfeil made several key saves to keep his team in the game, but the X-Men couldn't capitalize on a power-play opportunity following a penalty to Nagy. The period ended with Acadia up 1-0.

In the second, StFX tied the game at 3:40 with a goal from Alex Christopoulos, set up by Zack Trott. Acadia regained the lead on a power-play marker from Peach at 13:24. A flurry of penalties late in the period resulted in no changes to the score, leaving the game tied 2-2 heading into the third.

The third period was a defensive standoff. StFX controlled the faceoff circle and generated chances, but Couture made critical saves to keep the score even. Pfeil was equally strong in the StFX net, turning aside Acadia's attempts.

In overtime, StFX's Ethan Burroughs had an early chance, but Couture came up with the save. Moments later, Deline sealed the win for Acadia.

The Axemen now face Dalhousie on Friday night in Halifax to wrap up their weekend.