Axemen edge X-Men 2-1 in Game 1 of playoff quarterfinal series

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) The Acadia Axemen defeated the STFX X-Men 2-1 in AUS quarter-final playoff action on Thursday evening at the Charles V Keating Centre. The closely contested win gives the Axemen the early 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three series, which continues Saturday in Wolfville, N.S. 

The first period was a tight physical battle, with the Axemen fending off a pair of early STFX powerplays, before going on the man advantage themselves. The shots and scoring chances were even throughout, and despite a late flurry from the X-Men, the game remained scoreless after 20 minutes. 

The Axemen came out with some jump in the second, forcing STFX netminder Patrick Leaver to come up with some key saves. Acadia went on the powerplay five minutes into the period, but the STFX penalty kill held tight.

Acadia hit paydirt on their next powerplay chance though, with a point shot from Tyler Deline hitting the back of the net at the 12-minute mark. STFX picked up the pace looking for an equalizer, but strong play from Acadia goalie Thomas Couture kept the game 1-0 in favor of the visitors after 40 minutes. 

Peyton Hoyt made it 2-0 for Acadia 70 seconds into the final period, one-timing a shot from the slot off a pass from Liam Kidney. 

Leaver blanked Acadia defender Charlie Desroches from in close with 10 minutes to go and continued to stand tall for the rest of the game.

STFX defender Charlie Callaghan came up big once again for the Blue and White, firing home a shot from the point through traffic with five minutes to go, cutting the lead in half. 

The X-Men pulled Leaver late, but weren't able to find the equalizer. Leaver finished the game with 27 saves, while Couture had 28 stops in the win.

Deline was named first star while Callaghan earned second star honors and STFX's Ethan Burroughs got the third star nod. 

The series now moves to Wolfville for Game 2, on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24, at STFX.

Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics