Acadian's Axed

    The fight for first continued on January 30^th, as the UNB Varsity Reds took on the Acadia Axemen on home ice at the Aitken centre. Every one suspected the game to be intense as the two teams battled it out for a spot in the first place position in the AUS, but no one knew exactly how intense this game would turn out to be.

    First period started like no other, the pressure from both teams clear the second the clock started to count down. The first penalty was gifted to Acadia, #7, Remy Giftopoulos just under 2 minutes into the game, a 2 minute roughing penalty. That was just the tip of the iceberg for these two teams as they played aggressively, making for an amazing game to watch. At 5:26, UNB received their first penalty of the game as #15, Chris Caissy was called for a 2 minute holding penalty. Acadia fought hard during the power play, hoping to see a goal, but to no avail. UNB managed to keep them away from the net in an UNBelievable way, that is until #24, Adrian Robinson received a 4 minute major penalty for spearing at 7:25. This upset the fans in the audience, and confused both fans as well as Robinson himself as to why the penalty was called. Acadia once again took this opportunity to try hard for a goal, causing UNB's leading goalie to dive for the puck, leaving nothing to Shantz as he desperately tried to stop the puck. He succeeded in his goal, but not before gaining an Acadian enemy as he took down #25, Sam Fiorette in his efforts.

    Fiorette didn't take long to prove to UNB that he was upset, as he was given a 2 minute penalty for hit to the head, as well as a ten minute misconduct at 10:20, leaving the game 4 on 4. After trying to start a fight with UNB's #2, Randy Gazzola, Acadian #44, Matthew Pufahl received a 2 minute penalty for cross-checking. Approximately 14 minutes into the game, Acadian Captain struck UNB's #9, Dylan Willick, causing him to go head first into the boards. The call went unnoticed, causing UNB fans to grow upset as they tried to get the referee's attention, claiming he just did not call the clear hit. However, that seems hard to believe as the referees refused to let anything go uncalled for the last 14 minutes.

    After 15 minutes of game play, UNB scored the first goal of the game. The goal was scored by #4, Jordan Murray as he shot the puck from the blue line, sliding it past the goalie, unassisted. Shortly after, at 16:17, UNB received a 2 minute penalty for too many men on the ice, but fought back hard during Acadia's power play opportunity refusing to let them tie the game. Acadia must have taken notes from UNB, as they received their very own 2 minute penalty for too many men on the ice at 18:23, bringing the first period to a close.

    After falling behind in the first period, Acadia brought their A-Game to the second period, as they scored their first goal of the game just a minute and a half into the period. The goal was scored by #13, Mike Cazzola, assisted by #63, as well as #24. At 2:07, UNB's #27, Dana Fraser received a 2 minute penalty for holding. At the same time, UNB's #40, Matt Petgrave was kicked out of the game with a game misconduct. Fans were unimpressed, as no one understood why Petgrave received a game misconduct. However, when Acadian #13, received a 2 minute penalty for slashing at 5:25, fans cheered as he was escorted to the penalty box. Referees apparently felt the need to make it an even game, as they called a 2 minute slashing penalty on UNB's #28, Matt Boudens causing fans to be upset once more. The game continued 4 on 4, but only for 20 seconds before Acadian #7, Remy Giftopoulos received a 5 minute major, hit to the head penalty as well as a game misconduct, leaving the teams to play 4 on 3.

    UNB's always angry, #4, Jordan Murray has never been a player to hold back how he feels on ice, this game proving no different as he stormed off the ice after Acadia desperately tried to stop UNB from scoring. He may have sounded muffled in the arena, but we all know the word he yelled as he left the ice, definitely was not “puck”.
    Surprisingly, almost 2 minutes passed before the next penalty was called. UNB's #12, Peter Trainor received a 2 minute penalty for slashing at 7:42. The pressure of the game seemed to be getting to all players, but no player was as surprising as UNB's #44, Colin Suellentrop as he brought out a side we'd never seen before. The normally quiet player, refused to be quiet during this game as he roughed it up on the ice. Checking players, knocking players down, and roughing with an Acadian player to try to provoke a fight. Luckily, no penalties were called as the second period ended.

    Players seemed to grow tired as the third period began. Not surprising, as their hectic schedule continues. 5 games in 9 days is not easy for any team, but especially not a university team who also deals with classes, midterms, and assignments. Their tiredness showed clearly as the third period started slow. Disappointing not to see the teams fighting harder, the first call was made at 11:00. A 2 minute, high sticking penalty called to Acadian #26, Boston Leier after striking UNB's #4, Jordan Murray in the mouth. Murray refused to let it get him down, as he simply took his helmet off long enough to flip his hair back in that way that fans have grown to adore, before continuing to play the game. At 14:49, UNB received another penalty. This one going out to #24, Adrian Robinson, a 2 minute penalty for boarding. Everyone saw the penalty coming, as Robinson knocked down the Acadian player, holding him down until the end of play. Acadian #10, Christopher Owens received a 2 minute delay of game penalty at 18:26 after shooting the puck out of play and into the stands, in what seemed to be an intentional matter. Way to go, Owens. The third period ended in a 1-1 tie, perhaps had both teams stayed out of the far corner, we might have seen another goal.

    Fans sat on the edge of their seats as UNB and Acadia headed into a 10 minute, 4 on 4, sudden death over time period. Everyone feeling the pressure as the period began. UNB played 4 on 3 for the first 26 seconds of the period, but did not make much of it. However, fans erupted, as players flew onto the ice just 2 minutes into the over time period, as UNB's #2, Randy Gazzola scored the game winning goal, becoming Subway's player of the game, and first star. “... It was about time, it's been awhile” he stated during his interview, in regards to his goal. We couldn't agree more, this being his 2^nd goal of the season. Fans tended to not trust him, whenever he had possession of the puck, but this game-winning goal may have been his redeeming factor. Although Acadia received a single point for taking UNB into overtime, UNB winning furthered their lead in the AUS standings, now standing 3 points ahead of Acadia with just 2 games remaining in their regular season. Their next game will be Saturday, January 31^st as they take on the Dalhousie Tigers on home ice at the Aitken Centre, beginning at 7 pm.