CIS No. 2 Axemen top Panthers 5-2

(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.) - The Acadia Axemen remain atop the AUS with a 5-2 road win over the UPEI Panthers at the MacLauchlan Arena in front of 653 fans in Charlottetown Saturday night.

Acadia opened the scoring 8:33 into the first period thanks to a power play goal scored by Travis Gibbons (London, Ont.), assisted by Zachary Franco (Winnipeg, Man.).

The remainder of the period saw multiple chances from both Acadia and UPEI leaving the score 1-0 in Acadia's favour after the first period.

UPEI went on the attack in the second period but were unable to cash in on any of their nine shots in the frame thanks to the goaltending of Brandon Glover (Victoria, B.C.).

Acadia, on the other hand, was able to convert on three of their 12 attempts.

Zachary Franco (Winnipeg, Man.), scored Acadia's second goal off a pass from Sam Fioretti, (Calgary, Alta.), 14:17 into the period.

The Axemen wasted no time, scoring less than a minute later on the power play, off the stick of Liam Heelis (Georgetown, Ont.), assisted by Christopher Owens (St. John's, Nfld.), and Mike Cazzola (Guelph, Ont.). 

The Axemen converted on another power play for their third goal in two and a half minutes. This time Daniel Poliziani, assisted by Zachary Franco (Winnipeg, Man.), and Travis Gibbons (London, Ont.), was able to find the back of the net pushing the lead to 4-0 heading into the third period.

Acadia added one more goal in the third period to extend their lead to five goals. The goal was scored by Mike Cazolla (Guelph, Ont.), assisted by Liam Heelis (Georgetown, Ont.).

UPEI did their best to get back into the game peppering Acadia's goaltender with 17 shots in the final period. Unfortunately, for the Panthers they were only able to solve Glover twice making the final tally, 5-2 in favour of Acadia.

Brent Andrews (Hunter River, P.E.I.), assisted by Reginaldo Traccitto (Oakville, Ont.), and Tyler Brown (Detroit, MI), scored UPEI's first goal. Darcy Ashley (Brooklyn, P.E.I.), scored the Panthers' final goal with an assist from Travis McIsaac (Uigg, P.E.I.) and Reginaldo Traccitto (Oakville, Ont.).

Acadia's Zachary Franco (Winnipeg, Man.), was named the Subway player of the game with one goal and two assists and a plus/minus of +1.

The UPEI Panthers (3-4-1) head to the road next weekend when they take on the winless St. Thomas Tommies (0-5-3), Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in Fredericton.

The Axemen's (7-1-0) next game takes place on Nov. 7 at Acadia when they take on Saint Mary's (6-1-1) in a battle for first place in the AUS.

Source: Jonathan Lane for UPEI Sports Information