WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The CIS No. 5 ranked Acadia Axemen topped the No. 3 Saint Mary's Huskies 3-2 in game five of the best of five semi-final series, punching their ticket to not only an AUS championship best of three series against the UNB Varsity Reds, but also they will have their second consecutive "kick at the can" at this year's CIS University Cup championship held in Halifax.
In a sold out Andrew H. McCain Arena, the Huskies drew blood first on a goal by Gerrad Grant (Halifax, N.S.) on the man advantage at 5:41 of the first period.
Saint Mary's forward Gerrard Grant put a back door pass from Stephen Johnston (Guelph, Ont.) past Brandon Glover (Victoria, B.C.). Steven Beyers (Orangeville, Ont.) added the second assist on the play.
Midway through opening period, a Huskie goal was disallowed due to a kicking motion, keeping Acadia within one.
The second period went in favour of Axemen as they scored on two of their three powerplay opportunities.
The first goal was scored by captain Liam Heelis (Georgetown, Ont.) who fanned on the initial attempt, but made no mistake on the second try, burying it in between the legs of goaltender Anthony Peters, to tie the game at one just over 12 minutes into the period. Mike Cazzola (Guelph, Ont.) earned the only helper on the marker.
Just over four minutes later, Remy Giftopolous (Ancaster, Ont.) scored the go-ahead goal – his third goal against the Huskies in post season play.
With a narrow 2-1 lead entering the final period, first year forward Boston Leier (Saskatoon, Sask.) scored his second goal of the series to give Acadia some breathing room and a 3-1 lead.
With a minute and fifty eight seconds remaining in the game, the Huskies pulled goaltender Anthony Peters (Blyth, Ont.), and pressured the Axemen before scoring their second goal of the night with 31 seconds remaining. Stephen MacAulay (Cole Harbour, N.S.) was credited with the man advantage goal.
The Huskies were unable to tie the game at three and the Axemen walked away with a 3-2 win and the semi-final series victory.
Subway First Star of the Game, Brandon Glover, had an exceptional game allowing an early goal followed by the backstopping of 33 of 35 shots. His counterpart, Anthony Peters, made 31 saves in the losing effort.
The Axemen advance to the best of three finals series against the UNB Varsity Reds with hope to capture their second consecutive AUS title. The Varsity Reds picked up a 6-3 win in game five against StFX tonight, advancing to the championship final that they missed last season after being eliminated by Saint Mary's.
The AUS championship best of three series begins on Monday March 2 at UNB followed by Game 2 on Wednesday March 4 in Wolfville. If a game three is necessary it will be played in Fredericton on Friday March 6. All games at 7:00 pm.
Provided by Mitchell Racine, Acadia Sports Information Office