Moncton improves to 6-5-0 with shootout victory over fourth-ranked Axemen

(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - The Moncton Aigles Bleus erased a 2-0 first period deficit and picked up a 4-3 overtime shootout win over the CIS No. 4-ranked Acadia Axemen to improve to 6-5-0 Friday night in Wolfville.

Eric Faille tied the game with 48 seconds remaining in regulation time on the power-play and scored the shootout winner, earning him Subway First Star of the Game honours.

Brandon Glover stopped 39 of 42 shots and was named the game's third star for his performance. 

Acadia's Dylan Anderson opened the scoring early in the first on a deke, outskating the Moncton defenceman, cutting across the crease and netting his third of the season.

Later in the period, Wolfville native KC Brown scored a tic-tac-toe goal, his first of the year, to put the Axemen up by two. Only a minute and 39 seconds later, Moncton's Pier-Antoine Dion went top shelf over a sprawling Brandon Glover to bring the Aigles Bleus back to within one.

The second period saw missed opportunities for both sides as Acadia and Moncton went 0-1 on the power play.

The third frame started off with a strange play from the right faceoff dot. Moncton's Alex Emond won the draw forward with a shot on net, creating a rebound that linemate Allain Saulnier was able to pounce on for his second goal of the game.

Acadia's Dustin Ekelman scored the game's fifth and his third goal of the season on the power play, following a point shot by Chris Owens that hit Ekelman in the chest. The puck dropped down in front of him in the crease, allowing Ekelman to tap in the go ahead goal.

After a late period two-minute minor penalty issued to Acadia, Moncton pulled their goalie giving the Aigles Bleus a short 6-on-4 opportunity. After accepting a pass from behind the net, Faille went between the legs of Glover, tying the game with 52 seconds remaining.

The 10-minute overtime period proved scoreless, leading the game into an overtime shootout. Acadia opted to shoot first, sending out Brett Thompson who was stopped by the pad of Lemay. Next was Danny Chiasson, who missed his opportunity. The third shooter and second for Acadia was Alex Beaton, who was also stopped on his chance.

The late game hero, Faille, was next to shoot and he made no mistake, sliding Glover across the crease and sneaking the puck through five-hole.

Acadia captain Liam Heelis had to score to keep the shootout alive, but unfortunately this was not the case as he rang one of the crossbar. The missed opportunity completed the Moncton comeback.

Adrien Lemay made 50 saves for Moncton and was named the second star of the game. Moncton was able to shutdown league-leading scorer Liam Heelis to no points - only the second time this season.

Acadia (10-1-2) takes on the CIS No. 3-ranked UNB Varsity Reds (11-1-1) at home tomorrow night in the last game before the holiday break, while the Aigles Bleus (6-5-0) travel to Halifax to take on the Dalhousie Tigers (1-11-1).

Source: Acadia Sports Information