Axemen fall to UNB in Friday-night home loss

Acadia dropped a 3–1 decision to UNB on Friday night at Andrew H. McCain Arena. The visitors scored twice in the second period and sealed the result with an empty-net goal late in the third.

Zak Lavoie scored Acadia's lone goal and recorded three shots on goal. Thomas Couture made 33 saves to keep the Axemen within reach throughout the game. Tyler Deline and Liam Kidney each picked up an assist, with Kidney also winning 14 faceoffs.

The opening period was scoreless despite chances at both ends. UNB generated early looks through Justin Nolet and Cole Huckins, while Justin DeZoete and Marc Boudreau tested UNB goaltender Rémi Delafontaine. Acadia earned multiple power-play opportunities following penalties to Luca D'Amato and Cody Morgan, but the Reds' penalty kill held. Couture made several key stops during an extended UNB power play later in the period, and the teams went to intermission tied 0–0.

UNB broke through in the second period. Thomas Larouche opened the scoring at 7:19 with his first goal of the season. The Reds doubled the lead less than two minutes later when Stuart Rolofs converted on the power play at 9:03, assisted by Huckins. Acadia pressed for a response, but Delafontaine turned aside several chances to preserve the two-goal cushion.

The Axemen found life early in the third. Lavoie scored 5:30 into the period, finishing a play set up by Deline and Kidney to cut the deficit to one. Acadia pushed for the equalizer, but UNB's defensive structure limited second chances. Couture continued to give the Axemen an opportunity, but Michael Petizian scored into the empty net at 19:59 to secure the 3–1 result.

Rolofs finished with the game-winning goal and three shots. Petizian added the empty-netter and six shots, while Larouche contributed a goal on four attempts. Delafontaine stopped 25 shots for the Reds.

Acadia will look to rebound Saturday night at home when they wrap up the weekend against the UPEI Panthers.