On the backs of a 6-point night from captain #24 Tim Bergin and a hat-trick from #66 Blake Kenny, the Capital Region Axemen (2-0) were able to remain undefeated by coming out on top 11-3 in Saturday’s matchup between the Axemen and the Kahnawake Mohawks (1-1).
In what was their first rematch since squaring off in the 2015 QSLL finals, both the Axemen and the Mohawks were looking to stay on top of the QSLL standings.
A 4-minute checking-from-behind penalty from Axemen’s #55 Dan Gawne in the first 2 minutes of the game set the tone for the rest of evening, which featured a total of 100 penalty minutes. After their early penalty kill, the Axemen were able to take control of the rest of the period, helped greatly by some very undisciplined play from the Mohawks. On 2 separate occasions, the Mohawks took multiple back-to-back penalties, which the Axemen were able to capitalize on. #92 Mark Vradenburg was able to pick up a pair of goals on the power-play, while Bergin added a couple of assists, and stuck a top corner shot right at the buzzer to finish off the period.
The second period continued with much of the same from Kahnawake. The Mohawks continued to shoot themselves in the foot with multiple undisciplined penalties, particularly when they were already a man down. This led to a couple power-play goals from the Axemen, including a low-to-high rip from #17 Geoff McNulty that got the crowd fired up. And while the fans were still on the edge of their seats from that play, they were treated a rare sighting, a tilt between Bergin and Kahnawake’s #11 Mark Kirby. Capital Region’s #66 Blake Kenny was able to make up for the lost firepower though, after Bergin’s ejection, potting 2 goals in the second half of the period. The Axemen were able to head into the break well in control of the game, up 10-1.
With the game all but over after the 2nd period, the 3rd was much more subdued, with the final buzzer ending in a final score of 11-3 for the Capital Region Axemen.
“Our goal going into this game was to build off last year’s momentum,” said Axemen head coach Jason Tasse after the game, “I think we’ve accomplished that in game two, and we’re looking to continue to build as we go on.”
Goaltender #1 Brett Perras was the Axemen player of the game after making some very timely saves throughout, and making his usual crisp passes to start the breakout.
The Capital Region Axemen look to continue their unbeaten streak tomorrow afternoon as they head to Kahnawake Sport Complex to square-off against the Caughnawaga Indians (0-2) at 5:00pm.