(WOLFVILLE, NS) The UNB Reds remain undefeated in Atlantic University Sport play after a close 2-1 win over the Acadia Axemen, in Wolfville, on Friday.
Although the teams were evenly matched for most the game, UNB dominated the third period to take the win.
After the two sides went without a goal in the first period, UNB broke the 0-0 tie with a short-handed marker in the second.
Samuel Dove-McFalls (Montreal, QC) fired the puck into the empty net after Acadia's goalie fell over and let go of the puck, making it 1-0 UNB.
The Axemen responded just under six minutes later, when they tied the game off a goal from Acadia forward Rodney Southam (Saskatoon, SK).
After 40 minutes, the Axemen led 22-19 in shots on goal.
UNB came out quickly in the third, scoring a power-play goal just 17 seconds in.
Reds forward Kris Bennett (Brampton, ON) broke into the offensive zone, cut to the left and ripped a shot into the bottom right corner of the net, past Axemen goalie Logan Flodell (Regina, SK) to make it 2-1.
The Axemen were inches away from tying the game when forward Kyle Farrell (Howie Centre, NS) flew in on a breakaway. Farrell slid the puck under goalie Rylan Parenteau's (Saskatoon, SK) pads, but the UNB defense was able to clear the puck before it crossed the line.
"A lot of flow to the game, especially playing against UNB, a top team in the nation for many years," said Southam. "I think we actually did a very good job considering we have 12 new guys who are seeing them for the first time. We did a good job keeping them to the outside and skating with them."
Flodell turned aside 25 of 27 shots, while Parenteau, named Subway Player of the Game, stopped 29 of 30 shots.
"I have been playing against him all my life and he is a pretty acrobatic goalie," said Southam, of Parenteau. "I said to 'good job' to him, but definitely not the way I wanted it to end."
The Axemen take to the ice again at home on Saturday, against UPEI. UNB visits Saint Mary's. Both games start at 7:00pm.
RECAP BY: Joshua Foote/for Acadia Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Peter Oleskevich/for Acadia Athletics