A 52 save performance from AUS MVP Logan Flodell, at least three hit posts, some puck luck, and a power outage by the Reds usually-explosive power play added up to a 3-1 victory for the visiting Acadia Axemen in game one of the best 2-of-3 AUS Final tonight at the AUC. The victory - Acadia's first at the Aitken Centre since the fall of 2015 - means they can clinch the AUS Championship Wednesday night in Wolfville.
- The Axemen jumped out to a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes thanks to goals by Cristiano Digiacinto at 5:53 and Rodney Southam, while shorthanded, at 15:10.
- Matthew Boucher (Bennett, Boland) finally got UNB on the board at the 12:09 mark of the second period with a snap shot off the post and in, cutting the lead to 2-1.
- That's how the game would stand until Alexander Lepkowksi found an empty net with 80 seconds remaining, sealing the win.
- Shots in the game were 53-19 for UNB with period totals of 17-4, 15-11, and 21-4.
- The Reds went with their usual line-up as Noah Carroll, Benjamin Gagne, Jame McEwan, and Dylan Seitz were the scratches.
- As mentioned, the Reds power play was shut down all night and was probably the biggest factor in the loss. UNB went 0 for 8 with the man advantage, which included over two and a half minutes of 5-on-3 time. They are now 3 for 28 on the power play against Acadia this season.
- The Axemen were 0 for 6 on the power play.
- UNB won 52 out of 81 face-offs with both Mark Simpson and Tyler Boland winning 15 out of 21.
- Attendance was 3124.
- Flodell and Boucher were the players of the game.
- After giving up two goals on the first six shots he faced, Samuel Harvey settled down and kept his team in it.
- The loss snaps UNB's AUS playoff winning streak at 13 games.
- In game one of the consolation series, Saint Mary's doubled up Moncton 4-2 in Halifax. That series resumes Wednesday night in Moncton.
- Game two of this series also takes place on Wednesday with the Axemen looking to claim their first AUS Championship since the 2014-2015 season. Game time is 7PM.
