Goaltenders Welsh, Couture shine as Huskies defeat Axemen 1-0 in shootout

HALIFAX, NS – Huskies forward Ben Allison scored the shootout winner and goaltender Matt Welsh stopped 23 shots for the shutout, as Saint Mary's defeated the Acadia Axemen 1-0 in a shootout on Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

The first period saw the Huskies out chance the Axemen, but they were not able to get a go-ahead goal despite outshooting the Axemen 10-3.

Huskies defenceman Cameron Pound (While Lake, ON) had a good chance as he had a partial breakaway, but was unable to muster a shot on goal. Moments later, Huskies defenceman Connor Olson (London, ON) pinched in from the blueline and had a clear shot but Axemen netminder Thomas Couture (Lévis, QC) turned him away.

Saint Mary's would get two powerplay opportunities over the final eight minutes of the opening period, after penalties from Axemen defencemen Orlando Mainolfi (Richmond Hill, ON) and Morgan Nauss (Hammonds Plains, NS), but the Huskies were unable to capitalize, and the two teams went into the first intermission tied 0-0.

With just over six minutes remaining in the second period, Huskies forward Nathan Dunkley (Campbellford, ON) had the best scoring opportunity of the game, breaking out and firing a shot off the leg of Couture, and gathering his own rebound to fire towards an empty goal, but Axemen forward Bailey Peach (Falmouth, NS) was able to clear it out of the crease to keep the game scoreless.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Best chance of the night for @SMUMensHockey as Nathan Dunkley breaks out and fires two shots on goal, but Thomas Couture and Bailey Peach deny him and we remain deadlocked at 0-0 late in the second period. pic.twitter.com/mtUNbjoI77

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 12, 2023

The Huskies outshot the Axemen 18-10 in the second period, to extend their advantage to 28-13, but the teams remained tied 0-0 after 40 minutes.

Early in the third period the Huskies thought they had found their go-ahead goal as defenceman Ben Roger (Markham, ON), fired a shot that was directed by forward Ben Allison (Halifax, NS), and appeared to have beaten Couture but settled on the goal line and was waved off.

Moments later Huskies forward Reid Valade (Caledon, ON) had a breakaway opportunity but was denied by Couture. The Axemen countered with their best scoring opportunity of the game as Peach played a great pass to Reilly Webb (Stoney Creek, ON) who had a point-blank shot on goal but was denied by a sliding Welsh, the best save of the night for the Huskies netminder.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Great save by Matt Welsh as he denies a point blank shot from Reilly Webb! Game remains deadlocked at 0-0 in the third period. pic.twitter.com/9Va8GoD65C

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 12, 2023

60 minutes of regulation play saw no score for either team and the game headed to overtime, where the outstanding goaltending would continue for both teams.

The first great scoring opportunity was a Huskies three-on-one, where Ben Roger flicked a pass to Reid Valade, who lifted his shot high over goal. That was followed up by a clear breakaway by Axemen forward Brady Burns (Port Williams, NS) but Welsh shut the door.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Tremendous end-to-end overtime action and Matt Welsh denies Brady Burns on a breakaway! pic.twitter.com/nVYRFt9a6g

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 12, 2023

Overtime solved nothing and the goaltending duel continued into the shootout. Charlie Dafonseca went first for the Huskies, and made a nifty dangle but lifted his backhand shot high over the net. Bailey Peach kicked things off for the Axemen and fired a snapshot off the stick of Welsh.

Huskies second shooter Reid Valade came in with speed but was unable to beat Couture who deflected the shot away with his glove. Brendan Sellan was up next for the Axemen but Welsh denied him with a blocker save.

It was third shooter Cedric Ralph (Peterborough, ON) who finally scored for the Huskies, making a nice deke and lifting a forehand shot high. But Tyler Deline (Peterborough, ON) was able to respond for the Axemen, firing a shot past Welsh's blocker.

That brought up Ben Allison (Halifax, NS), who beat Couture five-hole. Talented Axemen forward Brady Burns had a chance to equalize, but he was denied by Welsh, and the Huskies bench mobbed their veteran goaltender who secured the thrilling 1-0 victory.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

HUSKIES WIN IN A SHOOTOUT!
Ben Allison scores the winner and Matt Welsh makes a big save to secure the Huskies second straight victory, 1-0 in a shootout! pic.twitter.com/rU60AEuGw7

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 12, 2023

"I think we're all pretty pumped in the room," said Welsh post-game. "This week really shows how great of a team we are. It was a big building block for our team with two really gritty wins and we're just looking to use it heading to New Brunswick next week."

The Huskies outshot the Axemen 41-23 on the night, with Matt Welsh making 23 saves for the shutout and was named Player of the Game, while Thomas Couture turned away 41 shots in an outstanding performance for the Axemen.

The Huskies second straight win improves their record to 6-6-0-0 on the campaign. They'll be on the road to New Brunswick next weekend, as they take on the Moncton Aigles Bleus (6-4-2) on Friday night, before visiting the U SPORTS #1 ranked UNB REDS (12-0-0) on Saturday night in Fredericton.

The Axemen shootout loss drops their record to 3-7-0-2 on the season. They too will face a New Brunswick road trip next weekend, taking on the REDS on Friday and Aigles Bleus on Saturday.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics