Axemen clinch third with 3-1 road win over Dalhousie
Burns scores on the power play, Couture makes 27 saves as Acadia secures home finale with chance to move into second
The Acadia Axemen locked up third place in the AUS with a 3-1 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers on the road.
The Axemen scored once on the power play and added a late empty-net goal. Defensively, they limited the Tigers to one goal on 28 shots.
With the win, Acadia clinched third in the conference standings. The Axemen return home Saturday to host STFX and can still move into second place with a victory combined with a UNB loss.
Acadia struck early in the first period.
Brady Burns opened the scoring at 7:10 on the power play. Tyler Deline and Brayden Schmitt assisted. Cole Nagy doubled the lead at 12:05, finishing a play set up by Bailey Peach and Justin DeZoete.
Dalhousie generated chances, including a power play following a high-sticking penalty to Brendan Mairs. Thomas Couture and the Acadia penalty kill kept the Tigers off the board. The Axemen carried a 2-0 lead into the intermission.
Dalhousie responded in the second.
Madden MacDougall scored at 9:51, with assists from Paul Hughes and Kyler Smith. It was MacDougall's first goal of the season and cut the deficit to 2-1.
Acadia had a power-play opportunity earlier in the period but could not extend the lead. Later, Nagy received a five-minute major and a game misconduct, giving Dalhousie an extended man advantage. The Axemen's penalty kill held firm. Couture made key saves to preserve the one-goal lead.
The period ended with Dalhousie outscoring Acadia 1-0 in the frame, but the Axemen remained ahead 2-1 overall.
The third period featured tight defensive play from both sides. Couture and Dalhousie goaltender Carter Richardson turned aside several chances. The Tigers pressed late, including a power play beginning at 17:51, but could not find the equalizer.
DeZoete sealed the game at 19:23 with an empty-net goal. Liam Kidney and Couture assisted on the play.
Burns finished with a power-play goal and three shots. Nagy scored the game-winner and won 10 faceoffs. DeZoete recorded a goal and an assist. Couture stopped 27 of 28 shots.
Richardson made 38 saves for Dalhousie, allowing two goals.
