Axemen remain undefeated in QSLL action, pick up 2 wins over Vermont
Even with significant absences throughout the weekend, due to work and coaching commitments, the Capital Region Axemen (8-0) were still able to pick up 2 more wins, over the visiting Vermont Voyageurs (1-4). The victories pushed their undefeated streak to 8 games; the extra 2 wins putting them well ahead of the rest of the pack in the QSLL.
The Voyageurs rolled into Ottawa Saturday night for a 2-game series against the Axemen, who had beaten them handily twice already earlier in the season. Capital Region was attempting to make sure they didn’t lose any ground in the standings to the Kahnawake Mohawks, who also won over the weekend.
It would prove to be tough from the get-go for Vermont, who were only able to bring up 12 runners for the weekend. Fatigue was definitely a factor and would play a role in the games’ outcomes.
The Axemen were able to capitalize on the Voyageurs’ short bench right from the beginning of the first game; using a combination of quick breakouts, a tenacious forecheck, as well as fast ball movement on offense, to quickly tire out the Voyageurs.
#77 Tim Bergin (straying from his usual number of 24 for the weekend) would lead the charge on Saturday, potting a hat-trick while adding 5 assists for an 8-point night. #7 Raj Wasson was also able to put together a hat-trick, and helped out with another 3 assists for 6 points.
While Capital Region did run into some penalty trouble on Saturday, being the recipients of 3 major penalties during the game, they were able to come away from all of them relatively unscathed, and even adding a couple shorthanded goals for good measure.
The Axemen were able to come out on Saturday night with a 15-3 win, but the game had already been won heading into the third, with Capital Region up 11-2 and the Voyageurs almost out of gas.
The Sunday matinee game would bring more of the same.
Capital Region was able to control the play for much of the opening period, limiting the amount of time that Vermont was able to hold the ball. #66 Blake Kenny was able to put away 3 goals before the buzzer rang for the first intermission. Kenny, Bergin, & #71 Geoff McNulty would have a hand in 13 of the Axemen goals in the game.
The Axemen took their foot off the gas in the 2nd period, and Vermont was able to claw their way back in it; they strung together a run of 3 quick goals, and 5 overall in the 2nd period, to bring them within 3 goals of the Axemen.
Capital Region was quickly able to dispel any doubt that may have arisen though, scoring 5 goals in the first half of the 3rd period to comfortably put the game out of reach.
Capital Region would come out on top with a final score of 17-6.
The one saving grace for Vermont over the weekend was their goaltending. The final scores would have been much more lopsided had they not been able to withstand the barrage from the Axemen over the course of the weekend.
All 3 Axemen goalies saw time over the weekend, having to make mostly routine saves over the duration of the games. #29 Chris Chuback was able to get the crowd fired up during the 3rd period of Sunday’s game though, when he went behind the net to chase a loose ball and ended up laying out an attacking Vermont forward.
The Axemen hope to continue their unbeaten streak at their next game, which is Friday, June 17 at 8pm vs. the Kahnawake Mohawks (3-2) at the Kahnawake Sports Complex.
Game highlights can be found here: