Axemen knock off StFX, advance to AUS semifinal

The Acadia Axemen rallied in the third period to defeat the StFX X-Men 6-4 on Saturday, completing a sweep in their best-of-three AUS quarterfinal series.

Liam Kidney led Acadia with two goals and an assist, including an empty-net marker to seal the win. Kian Bell scored a power-play goal, while Peyton Hoyt and Cole Nagy each found the back of the net. Cam MacDonald notched the game-winning goal and won nine faceoffs.

StFX struck first, with Charlie Callaghan scoring just eight seconds into the game. Bell answered for Acadia at 8:35 on the power play, and Hoyt put the Axemen ahead at 10:25. The X-Men tied it before the first intermission, as Raegan Wiles scored at 18:58.

StFX built a 4-2 lead in the second period with goals from Ethan Burroughs at 1:38 and Callaghan at 10:27. However, Acadia took over in the third, beginning with Kidney's goal at 2:33. Nagy tied it at 7:52 before MacDonald put the Axemen ahead 30 seconds later. Kidney added an empty-netter at 19:23.

Callaghan finished with two goals for StFX, while Burroughs had a goal and an assist. Wiles contributed a power-play goal and a plus-one rating. Alex Christopoulos led the X-Men with a plus-three rating, and goaltender Patrick Leaver made 34 saves.

With the win, Acadia advances to the AUS semifinal against UNB. Game 1 is set for Thursday night in Fredericton.