Welsh scores in 4-1 loss to Axemen

Game recap by Kirk Jessome

(Halifax, NS) – In a rematch of the game from last Friday night, the Dalhousie Tigers once again hosted the Acadia Axemen at the Halifax Forum. The Axemen were able to get the best of the Tigers in the second matchup, as they took the 4-1 win.

It didn't take long for the Tigers to open the scoring in this one as a weak shot from the side boards was kicked away by Logan Flodell (Regina, SK), but it rolled all the way to the point for Connor Welsh (Halifax, NS) to fire back. Welsh's shot took a deflection off an Axemen defender in front and caught Flodell by surprise and snuck under the pad to make it 1-0.

At the back end of a power play opportunity, the Axemen were able to answer back when a juicy rebound created a crowd in front, and after multiple short-range shots were stopped by Reilly Pickard (Halifax, NS), Mason McCarty (Blackie, AB) was able to collect another rebound at the post and managed to lift it over the outstretched pad of Pickard to even the score midway through the period.

Both teams had a few quality shots on odd-man rush chances late in the period, but the first period ended with the teams even at 1-1.

On a great breakout play from their own end, Eric Henderson (Kingsville, ON) crossed the blue-line down the left side and made a fantastic turn toward the boards to wrap a no-look backhand pass across the slot for Cristiano Digiacinto (Hamilton, ON) to hammer a one-timer into the opposite corner to give his team the lead at the midway point of the second.

The Tigers were given a few power play chances in the period, but the Axemen were able to do a great job of crowding the slot area to clog passing lanes and force the Tigers to take outside shots that were unable to get through the traffic.

At the end of a quiet period, the Axemen still held their 2-1 lead.

The Axemen opened the final frame with a quick short-handed goal as Jack Flaman (Vibank, SK) took a hard shot from the point that took a deflection in front that fooled Pickard as the puck slowly trickled passed him and into the back of the net to make it 3-1 for the Axemen.

The Tigers were able to hold an extended piece of pressure in the Axemen zone, generating a few good shots at goal that resulted in them earning another power play late in the game. Needing to find a goal in a hurry the Tigers were putting everything they could toward the goal, but the Axemen penalty kill once again proved to be a strong point.

Still needing to find another goal to bring it within one, the Tigers elected to pull the goalie, but after creating a scramble in front of Flodell, Alexander Lepkowski (Buffalo, NY) was able to clear the puck the length of the ice for the empty-net goal to close out the 4-1 win.

The special teams for the Axemen made the difference in this one, killing off six penalties, while managing to find a short-handed goal. Flodell played a large role in the win, making 32 saves and allowing just the one early goal. Digiacinto was named the Subway Player of the Game in the win for providing his team with the game-winning goal.

The Tigers will look to bounce back tomorrow night when they play host to Saint Mary's, while the Axemen will also have a quick turnaround as they host StFX tomorrow night.