The Dalhousie Tigers needed a shootout to take down the CIS No. 6 ranked Acadia Axemen 4-3 in their home opener at the Halifax Forum. The Tigers recorded their first win of the season improving to 1-3 while the Axemen fall to 2-1-1.
Dalhousie wasted no time securing the all-important first goal in the opening minutes of the game. Tanner William was credited with the tally while Felix Page and Phil Gadoury recorded assists.
Acadia would tie things up halfway through the first period when Zachery Franko cut hard to the net and was able to squeak a backhand shot through Dalhousie goalie, Corbin Boes.
The back-and-forth first period continued as Fabian Walsh put the Tigers ahead just minutes after the Acadia counter. Following a strong cycle deep in Acadia territory the puck bounced out to Walsh in the slot who made no mistake beating Acadia goalie Robert Steeves.
The Tigers took a 2-1 lead into the dressing room after 20 minutes of play.
In second period Acadia came out flying dominating play and peppering Boes with quality shots. Matthew Puhfal finally capitalized on one of the Axemen's power plays nearing the end of the period. Puhfal took a pass from Daniel Pettersson and walked in from the blue line ripping a snap shot bar down.
After two periods of play the game knotted at 2-2.
Walsh was back at it in the third period scoring his second of the night on the power play. Two Axemen collided at the half boards in their own zone coughing up the puck to Walsh who walked in and beat Steeves over the shoulder.
The 3-2 lead would hold to the final four seconds of the game. With the net empty Franko notched his second on a frantic play in front of the Dalhousie cage, pushing the game into overtime.
The extra 10 minutes of overtime play didn't solve anything, forcing the teams into a shootout.
Phil Gadoury scored the lone goal of the shootout for the Tigers while Corbin Boes shut down three Axemen shooters giving Dalhousie their first win of the season.
Boes put on an incredible performance stopping 47 of the 50 shots he faced.
Dalhousie (1-3) will be on the road for their next game against StFX (2-1-1) while Acadia (2-1-1) will play Saint Mary's (3-1) at the Forum. Both games will take place on Friday, October 23rd.