Axemen overcome slow start versus Windsor to get back into the win column
By Adam D’Agostino
Despite giving up four fast break goals in the first period and having to kill off a 10-minute penalty in the second, the Axemen were able to close out their regular season series with the Windsor Eagles with a 13-7 win at Earl Armstrong Arena.
The Axemen had been handed their first loss of the year earlier last week by the Snake Island Muskies, and were hoping that a matchup at home versus the visiting Windsor Eagles would be a sure win to help get them back on track. Considering the Axemen beat them handily 15-7 during their last meeting, it would not have been an outlandish assumption to make.
However, that was not looking like the case after the first period, as Capital Region found themselves down 6-2 going into the first intermission.
The Axemen gave up three quick goals to start the game, finding themselves with a considerable mountain to climb only seven minutes into the first. Luckily Axemen forward #55 Spencer Corkery would manage to get on the board with five minutes left, however Windsor would pot another three in the last four minutes. Much of the early momentum could be attributed to Eagles goaltender #1 Sam Verville, who made 15 saves in the first period alone, and would go on to make 40 in total on the evening.
There were more than a few anxious faces in the crowd as the teams came back to the floor to start the second period, however their worries soon dissipated once #43 Tim Bergin got the ball rolling with a goal for the Axemen six minutes into the frame. This would be the first of seven goals that Axemen would score in the period.
But despite the offensive outburst from the Axemen during the second, it was penalty kill unit that really shone through. Axemen defender #28 Kevin McKeown decided to take exception to some Eagles players being a little bit too liberal with their slashes, and thought to take matters into his own hands by dropping the gloves with one of the Eagles defenders. Unfortunately, he was given two game misconducts for his effort, which resulted in a 10-minute powerplay for Windsor. Thankfully, the Axemen defenders were up to the task, shutting down the Eagles’ powerplay and managing to score a shorthanded goal in the process. It also helped that Axemen goaltender #1 Brett Perras stood tall during the PK, and would manage to make 17 saves in the period.
The Eagles would pepper another 15 shots on Perras in the third period to try and claw their way back, however they would only manage to put one by him. Axemen defender #6 Carter Badour’s shorthanded goal with five minutes left would take the wind out of the sails of the Eagles, and seal the deal for the Axemen win.
#22 Blake Kenny led the Axemen with five points (1,4) on the night, continuing his quest to win the QSLL scoring title. He currently sits first in the league with 60 points (25,35) with two games left to go in the regular season.
The Axemen’s next home game will be against the Kahnawake Mohawks, playing for the first time at the Minto Rec Complex in Barrhaven, Sunday July 22, 2018 at 7pm.