Axemen fall to Huskies in final game before holiday break

WOLFVILLE, N.S. — The Acadia Axemen fell to the Saint Mary's Huskies 6-3 on Wednesday in the final game for both teams before the holiday break.

Brady Burns led Acadia with a goal and an assist, scoring on the power play. Adam McMaster also had a strong performance with a power-play goal, while Conor Shortall was the other goal scorer for the Axemen.

Goaltender Thomas Couture made 31 saves despite allowing five goals.

The Axemen opened the scoring in the first period with McMaster's power-play goal at 3:48, assisted by Burns and Deline. Couture was sharp in net, holding Saint Mary's scoreless despite several power-play opportunities. The Axemen outshot the Huskies and held a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Saint Mary's took over in the second period, with Nathan Dunkley scoring just 1:01 in. Ben Allison gave the Huskies their first lead, but Shortall equalized for Acadia before Dunkley struck again to make it 3-2 for Saint Mary's heading into the third.

The Huskies pulled away in the final frame with two power-play goals from Bradey Johnson and an empty-net goal by Derek Gentile. Burns scored Acadia's final goal on the power play, but the comeback fell short.

Dunkley paced Saint Mary's with two goals and an assist, while Johnson added two goals, including the game-winner. Gentile contributed a goal and an assist, and Allison had a goal. Goalie Ben West made 24 saves for the win.

Acadia returns to action on Jan. 6 at Dalhousie, while Saint Mary's will host Dalhousie on Jan. 10.