Dal Tigers win first Wells Tournament Championship

(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - In the 1 p.m. championship game of the Don Wells Memorial Hockey Tournament, Dalhousie's Andrew Wigginton's third goal of the game, 2:28 into the first overtime period, stopped StFX's rally from a one-goal deficit late in the third period, to take home the Don Wells Tournament championship on Sunday afternoon.

Wigginton was left alone in front with room before beating StFX goaltender Morgan Clark with a wrist shot off the post and in for the winner. The tournament championship win is the first for the Tigers since the tournament was created as a preseason memorial tournament.

At 2:14 of the opening frame, a hit from behind was dealt to Dalhousie forward Kendall MacInnis which led to a huge scrum along the wall and two game misconducts. MacInnis left the ice on his own feet with help from the Tigers' trainer.

Gabriel O'Connor's even-strength goal 16 minutes into the third period put StFX up 3-2. But after a timeout and pulling their goalie, the Tigers came through in the clutch on the power play. They tied the game at three to force overtime after a blast from the slot by Tyler Hart–his second goal of the tournament. Wigginton scored his second of the night on a one-timer that snuck by the StFX goalie.

Dalhousie's Wigginton beat Clark 16:08 into the game to give the Tigers the game's first goal. Zack MacQueen of the StFX X-men scored early in the second to even the game. After a seemingly endless amount of chances coming in the beginning of the third, Jarrad Struthers netted a great pass from his linemate Cole Grbavac.

Andrew Wigginton was names Subway Player of the Game after his three-goal performance.

In the 6 p.m. consolation match of the Don Wells Tournament, Acadia's Brett Thompson and Saint Mary's Cory Tanaka each got a pair of goals.

The Huskies jumped to an early lead with a goal from Kyle Pereira on an innocent looking play that turned into wrap around pass out front and a wrist shot to the back of the net. Colin Archer tied things up with a floater from the point that may have been deflected by a Huskie player.

The second period had lots of action in both ends of the ice, but it was second-year forward Brett Thompson who broke the 1-1 tie. After a bad giveaway by a Saint Mary's defensemen, Thompson walked in and made no mistake going upstairs to take the 2-1 lead early in the second. A slap shot from the top of the circle by Stephen Johnston fooled Brandon Glover blocker side to tie the game at 2-2.

Evan Moser came out to start the third for the Acadia Axemen, replacing Glover who stopped 20 of 21 shots.

Tanaka jammed one in on the power play immediately after a Huskie teammate hit the post. Later in the period, newly-minted team captain, Liam Heelis, went end to end to scoring his first goal of the year in fashion while shorthanded.

Thompson scored his second of the game on a textbook passing play with Cullen Morin and Mike Cazzola. Fifth-year Huskie Tanaka also converted his second of the game, evening the score with 44 seconds to send this one to overtime.

Gameplay in the consolation final was halted by an injury on the ice. Teams and referees then agreed the game would end in a 4-4 draw. 

Source: Mitchell Racine for Acadia Sport Information