No. 3 Axemen squeeze past X-Men 2-1 to remain undefeated on the road

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) - Brett Thompson scored 12:57 into the third period for the game winner as the CIS No. 3-ranked Acadia Axemen improved to 5-0 on the road Saturday night with a 2-1 decision over the StFX X-Men in Antigonish.

The X-Men closed out the weekend with a 1-1 record after a 5-4 overtime victory Friday night against Dalhousie.

Dressed in vintage throwback jerseys, the X-Men were outshot 28-14 by the first-place Axemen, who improve to 8-2-0 on the season. The X-Men fall to 5-4-1.

After a scoreless first period that saw the Axemen outshoot the X-Men by a 16-4 margin, Travis Gibbons was first to get on the board, scoring just 1:32 into the second period to give Acadia the lead. Joe Gaynor assisted.

StFX's Ted Stephens tied it up at 6:21, netting the puck off a Brennen Wray rebound. Gabe O'Connor also picked up an assist on the play.

Both teams were held off the score sheet until Brett Thompson scored the game winner for the Axemen at the 12:57 mark of the third period. His shot hit the crossbar, then dropped down into the StFX net, beating X netminder Drew Owsley. Mike Cozzola and Leo Jenner assisted on the goal.

Owsley had 26 saves in the losing effort for the X-Men, while Peter Disalvo picked up the win for Acadia with 13 saves. Acadia forward Brett Thompson was named the Subway player of the game.

Next on the schedule for the X-Men is a pair of home games on Friday and Saturday night, November 16th and 17th. Friday evening the winless St. Thomas Tommies (0-10) will be in town, followed by a visit from the CIS No. 5 ranked Moncton Aigles Bleus (6-3-1) on Saturday.

The Axemen will travel to Charlottetown Friday night to play the UPEI Panthers and then head to Fredericton Saturday evening to face the UNB Varsity Reds.

Source: StFX Sports Information
Photo courtesy of Erica Roberts