Huskies knock off No. 3-ranked Axemen in shootout

(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - The Saint Mary's Huskies improved to 9-4-1 with a 3-2 shootout victory over the No. 3-ranked Acadia Axemen Saturday night as Patrick O'Keefe's goal at 8:51 of the third period lifted the Huskies into a tie and Matt Tipoff potted the shootout winner.

Lucas Bloodoff also scored for the Huskies, while Alex Beaton and Spencer Jezegou replied for Acadia (10-3-1) who also pick up a point in the standings.

The loss drops the Axemen to second place in the AUS standings, trailing the UNB Varsity Reds by one point, while the Huskies hold onto third place and are riding a three-game winning streak.

Beaton scored his second goal of the season on the power-play seven minutes into the first frame to give Acadia a 1-0 lead that held until 13:50 of the second period when Bloodoff netted his league-leading tenth goal of the season to tie the game at one with the man advantage.

The Axemen edged Saint Mary's with a 29-25 shots on net advantage, but the final period was essentially a draw with the Huskies winning the third 13-12.

Acadia's Jezegou gave Acadia the go-ahead goal at 8:20 of the third but 31 seconds later, the Huskies' Pat O'Keefe fired one through the legs of Acadia's Peter DiSalvo to tie the game for the second time.

After an overtime period with four men aside, the game was decided in a shoot-out with Johnson netting the game winner and Matt Tipoff scoring the insurance goal.

Always a great game when the Huskies come to Wolfville, head coach Darren Burns didn't expect anything less from Saint Mary's who are sporting a three game winning streak.

"We lost to a very good team who is well coached. I didn't think we played as good as we can, but that being said we need to get back to work Monday and finish strong in the first half," said Burns. "When I get upset with our team, it is because I respect them and their commitment to playing hard and getting better. Tonight we just didn't bring what I thought we could, but full credit to Saint Mary's."

The Axemen will conclude the first half of the regular season at home, hosting the UPEI Panthers on Friday night (Teddy Bear Toss Night) and then Saturday with a showdown against the first place UNB Varsity Reds (Noisemaker Night for Valley Food Banks).

The Huskies wrap up their fall schedule with a road trip to St. Thomas and Moncton.

Source: Acadia Sports Information