The Athenaeum

Category: Sports & Wellness

  • A Guide to Being Promiscuous

    A Guide to Being Promiscuous

    Nolan Turnbull

    Sports and Wellness Editor

     

    Sexual liberation is one of many experiences students often benefit from at university. For the first time, students are out of their homes and are free to “find themselves”. At home, we are often restricted by our parent’s rules, the values of family members and friends, and the ideologies in our communities. At university, students can truly act as adults and can dictate all aspects of their life including their sexuality and sexual behaviours. I have been fortunate enough to have had two amazing girlfriends at Acadia (one which was long term) but have also tasted what it is like to be single and “promiscuous”. However, during this transition period it is important to be mindful of how you treat yourself and those who you choose to be romantically and sexually involved with. The following is my advice on how to act when you are experimenting with sex.

    1. Consent: consent can be a complex thing for some people to understand – even though it comes down to something as simple as a “yes or no”. The bottom line is – if you don’t have consent – then don’t flipping do it. This doesn’t only have to do with respecting your partner, but also just being a decent human being. I feel like I shouldn’t have to explain this, but I will for those who still hold the Neanderthal ideology that ‘a 1000 no’s and a hesitant yes is still a yes’. Consent must be loud and clear, and not forced. If someone says no – you stop. Simple as that. If someone is intoxicated – they can not consent. If your partner who regularly consents to sex with you doesn’t consent that night – then you don’t have consent. In other words, consent during sex is action-specific. Even within sex itself, taking the next step requires consent.
    2. Communicate: During sex, its great to use communication if possible to express your desire to continue, and what you like! Some people find non-verbal communication more attractive, but please use your words when it comes to something that crosses the line – safe words are great! Sex also can be greatly improved by being open with what you like and don’t like so that you can get the most out of sex.
    3. Be honest: Honesty is instrumental to a relationship regardless of how they are defined or “how serious” they may be. Be clear about what you want from the relationship or arrangement from day one. This will save both you and the person you are involved with many headaches and will ensure that neither person is hurt or feel used. I have been a victim of this, and also unfortunately have failed to be 100% honest with my partners at times. I am begging you to learn from this mistake and be open so that you can get the most out of sex whether it be in the relationship or the act itself. Know your limits and be respectful of yourself and also your partner’s wishes. This will ensure the best experience for everyone! In addition, be courteous. If you need to cancel – just tell them. If you have changed your mind about going out, then just explain that. I for one find it much more refreshing to know that the person just wasn’t feeling the relationship as opposed to being ghosted and left wondering about what I may have done wrong.
    4. Wear protection and get checked: Always wear protection. I don’t need to explain the risks regarding pregnancy and STI’s. Chlamydia is rampant at Acadia, and while it’s a minor ailment compared to some it can still have long term repercussions. Wear protection and get checked between partners. It doesn’t take long, and you’ll protect yourself and your partner thus avoiding awkward encounters and serious health issues.
    5. Have fun: Finally, remember to have fun. Sex and relationships should be about you and you first. You should feel safe, comfortable, and enjoy every aspect of a relationship. If you feel you are in a toxic relationship, then reach out for support from one of many supports on campus (there is an article in this issue!). Sex should be enjoyable and has many mental and physical health (who doesn’t enjoy a quick 15 minutes of cardio?). Don’t let what others think get you down. I personally have been targeting by slut shaming and have been called a ‘hoe’ for enjoying sex. A friend told me my sexual values are “way left field”. These comments hurt, but I know that what I did was best for me. As long as sex is consensual, fun, and communication is a core aspect – have at it.

    I wish you all the best in your romantic and sexual endeavours. I hope you find these reminders helpful. If you think I missed something, then let me know so I can improve and help promote sex positivity!

    XO

    Nolan

  • The Role of Volunteering in Citizenship: Why you should give back to Wolfville

    The Role of Volunteering in Citizenship: Why you should give back to Wolfville

    Nolan Turnbull

    Sports and Wellness Editor 

    We are fortunate to attend this wonderful institution that is embedded in the amazing community of Wolfville. Wolfville is supportive of the university, its students, and its programs, and provides a plethora of opportunities that enhance your Acadia experience. Citizenship can be defined as the responsibilities that come with being a member of a community. Most people would think of these responsibilities as things such as recycling, voting and being a law-abiding citizen. However, being a good citizen goes far beyond that.  Citizenship should mean lifting the bar to make your community a better place. Peter Druker once said that “the best way to predict the future is to create it”. So how can you accomplish this? In my opinion, the best way to do this is to volunteer. The smallest actions can help brighten everyone’s day and create a chain reaction of good deeds. You can’t expect your community to grow and flourish if you don’t contribute. I was once told the quote: “a society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they shall never see”. This quote shows that we may not reap the benefits of our actions, but it doesn’t mean that these actions go unnoticed. We are making a difference that will better the lives of those who follow us. Volunteering will allow you to say “I helped do that” when you drive back through the streets of Wolfville in twenty years. By making a difference you are a part of the puzzle that makes up our community. Small actions both through volunteering and on the street define us both as people, but also as committed and caring citizens. Volunteering allows us to give back and say thank you as well as help us continue the legacy of those who have shaped our society, and our time here at Acadia. Thank you Wolfville. 

  • 3 Simple Reminders from Rick Hansen

    Rick Hansen is a Canadian hero who has continuously fought for creating an accessible world for everyone. The “Man in Motion” gained the worlds respect when he went on a monumental two-year expedition around the world – in his wheelchair. Rick is also an accomplished athlete and heads the Rick Hansen Foundation – an organization he created that is dedicated to making the world a better place for people with disabilities. —rickhansen.com.

    I met Rick Hansen when I attended Up for Debate this past weekend February 9th-11th at Bishops University. Rick gave a lecture titled “Rick Hansen: Removing Barriers and Unleashing Potential”. This talk was absolutely phenomenal and discussed of bringing change, improving accessibility, optimism, and chasing your goals. Rick is a testament to what success in these areas looks like. His speech was informative, inspiring, and tear inducing. Rick told us his story and his battle in which he fought for a cause he believed in. This being said, what I want to share with you is three reminders he gave to me simply by talking to me.

    1. Take time for others: Rick stopped and talked for five minutes (or more) per person – after giving his talk, travelling, and surely countless meetings and reunions during his return to Quebec. Rick spent meaningful amounts of time with people of all ages. Approximately thirty people waited patiently in line for their chance to speak to them, and their time was truly worth it as Ricks presence was priceless. Rick showed that no matter who you are and how busy you are you can always take time for other people. The fact that Rick spent time with each person was a humbling reminder that time is a valuable resource, and sharing ones company and being there with them allows them to feel valued.
    2. Listen… actively: Not only did Rick take time with every person who desired to meet him, he listened and genuinely cared about what everyone had to say. Rick expressed interest in the stories of his fans young and old whether their stories be about a love for sport, how he inspired them, barriers or challenges they face, or questions they had about life and its journeys. Rick let his visitors do the talking, only commenting as necessary. He made eye contact, listened intently, and provided insight as necessary. This wasn’t only because Rick in an excellent listener, but also because he genuinely cared about what others had to say.
    3. Show empathy: Empathetic individuals are increasingly hard to come by, and it is always refreshing when you find someone who not only takes the time to listen to you, but genuinely cares and absorbs what you have to say. Rick showed compassion for every individual who spoke to him, and made me feel like he truly cared about my story. I shared one of my friend’s battle with disability, and Rick offered to help her in anyway he could. To think that a man who is as busy as Rick would take the time to help someone he doesn’t know is truly phenomenal. We all should be like Rick and show compassion for others in times of need. If we all did this the world would be a much better place.

     

  • Hockey Axemen End Season on High Note

    The Acadia Axemen ended their regular season on home ice on a high note, defeating the U SPORTS No. 6 ranked Saint Mary’s Huskies 3-0. Axemen goaltender and Subway First Star of the Night Robert Steeves turned aside all 24 shots by the Huskies for his second shutout of the season.

    “The Guys played awesome tonight. They let me see the puck. I let go of some funny rebounds and the guys were able to clear it and take the guys sticks. It was a great win,” Steeves said following the win.

    “We knew it was a big one with third place on the line. We’ve been through a bit of a slump and the win against UNB was a stepping stone and I thought we played a hell of a game tonight.,” added Steeves.

    Neither team was able to score in the first. Despite chances from both sides, the game remained a scoreless affair heading into the second period.

    By the end of the first period, the Axemen held an 8-7 shot lead.

    The Axemen broke the scoreless tie with two goals late in the second to take a 2-0 lead heading into the third.

    With 1:50 remaining in the second period, Axemen forward and third star of the night, Boston Leier tipped a wrist shot from Rodney Southam past the glove of the Huskies goaltender Eric Brassard to make it 1-0.

    Acadia defenseman Matthew Pufahl added another marker with 0.1 seconds left on the clock, which led the referees to confer while the teams headed off for the intermission as to whether the goal counted.

    The Huskies coaching staff argued with the referees on their way off the ice at the end of the period, but the goal stood.

    The Axemen added another goal just past the midway point of the third when Acadia capitalized on yet another power-play.

    Boston Leier added his second power-play goal of the game.

    Axemen forward Stephen Harper took the initial shot, which hit the Huskies goalie and laid on the goal line, at which point Leier came in and jammed the puck across the line.

    Brassard stopped 30 of 33 shots on the night. The second star of the night was given to Huskies defenseman Dylan DiPerna.

    The Axemen finished out the 2017-18 men’s hockey regular season with a matchup against the Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleus on Saturday in Moncton. After defeating USports #2 Ranked UNB last Saturday night, and #6 ranked Huskies on Friday night, the Axemen had put their destiny in their own hands to earn third place in the AUS standings. All that stood in the way was a victory over the Aigles Bleus.

    Moncton got on the score board first when Carl Marois scored at 7:19 of the opening period. The Axemen answered back when fourth year defenceman Matt Pufahl took a pass from Remy Giftopoulos and beat Moncton goalie Brandon Thibeau to tie the game at 1 at 10:40 of the opening period.

     

    Acadia took a 2-1 lead in the second period when Cristiano DiGiacinto scored his first goal in an Axemen uniform, after joining the team in January, but the Axemen lead was short lived as Carl Marois scored his second of the night, this time on the powerplay to tie the game at two.

    That score held for the remainder of the second period and the third period, despite Acadia firing 46 shots at the Moncton netminder over the first three periods, outshooting Moncton 46-26 in regulation time.

    In overtime, Axemen netminder Robert Steeves made two crucial saves to keep the Axemen hopes alive; shortly after Moncton’s Vanier-Guenet took a penalty for cross-checking Axemen leading scorer Stephen Harper, and like poetic justice, Harper made him pay as he ripped home a shot at 2:47 of the overtime session to give Acadia a 3-2 victory. Assists went to Boston Leier and Matt Pufahl.

    Acadia finished up the game one for two on the man advantage, while Moncton went one for three.

    In addition to scoring the game winner, Stephen Harper locked up the AUS scoring leader title with 46 points in 30 games.

    The victory setup a best of three playoff showdown with the Dalhousie Tigers, with Game one taking place Wednesday in Wolfville. Game time is set for 7 pm.

  • AUS Standings: Basketball and Volleyball – February 13

    AUS Men’s Basketball Standings
                                 GP         W          L             PF          PA         Pts
    x-Dalhousie       16          13          3            1376      1153      38
    x-Acadia             17          13          4            0.765    Won 1   1366      1249      34
    x-UNB                 16          13          3            1449      1285      32
    x-Saint Mary’s   16          10          6            1355      1285      28
    StFX                     16          6            10          1340      1344      18
    Memorial           16          5            11          1259      1372      18
    UPEI                    16          3            13          1101      1365      8
    Cape Breton      17          2            15          1356      1549      4
    ‘x’ – Clinched Playoff Berth.
    ‘y’ – Clinched First Round Bye.

    AUS Women’s Basketball Standings
    GP         W          L             PF          PA         Pts
    xy-Acadia           17          15          2            1441      1075      40
    x-Cape Breton   17          11          6            1286      1156      34
    x-Saint Mary’s   16          10          6            968        931        28
    UPEI                    16          8            8            1141      1127      24
    Memorial           16          8            8            1134      1149      22
    UNB                     16          7            9            1084      1051      18
    Dalhousie           16          5            11          907        1143      12
    StFX                     16          1            15          852        1181      2
    ‘x’ – Clinched Playoff Berth
    ‘y’ – Clinched First Round Bye

    AUS Women’s Volleyball Standings

    GP         W          L             SW        SL           PTS
    x-Dalhousie       18          17          1            51          7            34
    x-Acadia             19          14          5            45          25          28
    x-Saint Mary’s   18          12          6            41          23          24
    x-Memorial        20          8            12          30          45          16
    Moncton            19          5            14          22          49          10
    UNB                     18          0            18          14          54          0
    ‘x’ – Clinched Playoff Berth.

     

     

     

  • Axewomen take second loss of season

    In the first of a two game weekend, the USPORTS No. 3 Acadia Axewomen defeated the host Saint Mary’s Huskies 78-62.

    Acadia ended the first quarter up 21-13 and used a 21-19 second quarter score to take a 10-point lead at half-time, 42-32.

    The Axewomen controlled the third quarter with a 17-12 score and led 59-44 after thirty minutes.

    The final frame saw Acadia outscore SMU 19-18 in the quarter and the Axewomen took the victory 78-62.

    Acadia improves to 15-1 after jumping up one spot in last week’s USports Top 10, while Saint Mary’s drops to 10-6. Both teams have secured playoff spots.

    Horton H.S. alum Haley McDonald paced Acadia and all scorers with 18 points and added eight assists in the win while teammate and 5-1 guard Paloma Anderson finished with 15 points and nine assists.

    Halifax West alum Chanel Smith  added 14 points and Yarmouth, N.S. native Alexandra Berry had 13 for the Axewomen.

    Senior guard Katrina Murrell chipped in 13 points for Saint Mary’s while teammate Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse added 12 points and nine rebounds.

    In the second game of the weekend, a 19 point comeback highlighted the Cape Breton Caper’s 84-83 win over the U SPORTS No. 3 ranked Acadia Axewomen. The loss is only the second for the Axewomen this season and comes on the first meeting of both teams this season.

    Ahead 51-40 at the half, the Axewomen worked on open lanes and the perimeter to gain a 19 point lead with a 1:48 remaining in the opening half. Alison Keough led the Capers with 11 points at the half and Axewoman Haley McDonald posted a team-high 11 points following one half of play.

    The Capers chipped away at the Axewomen lead, posting a 21-18 third quarter win and worked hard on delivering a 23-14 final frame score.

    Toni Bianchini and Hannah Brown combined for 14 points in the fourth quarter. Taking their first lead of 70-69 at 7:08 in the fourth on a Bianchini jump shot, the Capers fell quickly behind 79-73 on a three-point shot by Chanel Smith.

    A three-point basket by Bianchini with 1:56 remaining in the game, pushed the Capers ahead 80-79 that would extend to 83-79 on a basket from the distant arc by Hannah Brown.

    Cape Breton would hold onto the lead for the 84-83 victory.

    Subway Player of the Game Alison Keough led the Capers with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Teammate Hannah Brown added 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Valentina Primossi posted 10 points off the bench.

    “The first half they got up on us big, by 16, but I think we kept our composure and we didn’t give up, so I think that really kept us in the game. When the storm came, we kept going. This was definitely one of my better shooting nights, but I just try to shoot when I am open and hope they fall,” said Keough following the win.

    Paloma Anderson contributed a game-high 20 points, while teammates Haley McDonald and Katie Ross netted 14 and 13 points. Ross also pulled down 11 rebounds and was named the Acadia Player of the Game.

    Both teams were even on the boards with 40 rebounds each, but the Capers edged Acadia in field goal percentage. Capers had 19 bench points and 16 points in the paid compared to Acadia’s 28.

    Both teams will meet up in their final regular season matchup in Sydney on Friday, February 23. The Axewomen host Dalhousie next Thursday, February 15 for their last home game of the regular season.

  • Axemen Rebound after double-OT Loss

    The Saint Mary’s Huskies defeated the visiting Acadia Axemen 104-96 in double-overtime in the first of a two game weekend for the Axemen.

    Guard Nico Brauner scored a game-high 26 points for Saint Mary’s and added seven rebounds in the win while Nikita Kasongo added 22 points and six rebounds for the Huskies.

    In his first game this year as a Cape Breton Caper transfer, Junior Moaku-Matia paced Acadia’s offense with 22 points while Trevon Grant added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Axemen.

    Grant’s double-double came on the heels of a last-second game-tying three-pointer for the Axemen as time expired in the fourth quarter.

    The bucket sent the game into overtime tied at 75-75.

    Neither team led by more than two points in the first overtime, as both teams traded baskets thru the first six minutes.

    A pair of three-pointers by both teams saw the game tied 83-83 with 2:30 left in the first overtime.

    An Acadia layup extended the Axemen lead 85-83 with 2:09 left in overtime.

    Kasongo nailed a three-pointer with 52 seconds left and two Brent Martindale free-throws’ saw Huskies up 88-85 with 17 seconds left.

    After an Acadia time-out, the Axemen had two looks from beyond the three-point land and Bedford, Nova Scotia’s Nick De Palma hit a three-pointer as time ran out in the first overtime tied, 88-88.

    SMU doubled-up Acadia 16-8 in the second overtime and took the victory 104-96.

    De Palma finished with 16 points in the loss for Acadia, who drop to 12-4 on the year.

    Kemar Alleyne chipped in 17 points in 48 minutes of action for Saint Mary’s as teammate Osman Barrie contributed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

    The Axemen basketball team got back on the winning track with a convincing 92-63 win over the visiting Cape Breton Capers after dropping two 4-point games to Saint Mary’s on Friday evening.

    The Axemen currently sit second in the AUS standings with three games remaining in the regular season.

    Down 20-17 after the opening quarter, the Axemen out-played the Capers in the second frame by a score of 27-11. Erik Nissen came to life and posted nine points in the second quarter alone. Nissen finished the game with 15 points and eight rebounds.

    Trevon Grant’s two three-point baskets at the 6:48 and 5:57 marks of the second quarter gave the Axemen a lead that would hold for the remainder of the game.

    With a 44-31 lead at the half and 63-41 after three quarters, the Axemen pushed the lead to a game-high of 32 points with 4:24 remaining in the game.

    The Axemen had 40 points off the bench that included Subway Player of the Game Ben Miller’s team-high 16 points. Nissen and Mitch Tempro each had 15 points and Nick De Palma added 12 points. Six Axemen posted double-digit scoring.

    “It was a good win. We played double overtime yesterday (vs. Saint Mary’s) so it was good to get a great start so everyone could play. Coach has been instilling the idea to share the ball more and face the floor more and it will make everybody’s job easier,” noted Trevon Grant in a postgame interview.

    Martin Campbell led all scorers with 24 points for the Capers. Off the bench, Grant Dickinson added 12. Paul Watson recorded 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists.

    The Capers were less than perfect from the floor, shooting 29% and pulling down only 37 rebounds compared the Acadia’s 53.

    The Axemen improve to 13-4, while the Capers drop to 2-15.

    The Axemen host Dalhousie next Thursday, February 15 in Acadia’s last home game of the season. The Capers will look for wins against Saint Mary’s next Friday and Saturday in Sydney, N.S.

  • Acadia Pulls in 33 Medals in ASU Championships

    SAINT JOHN, N.B. – The Acadia swimming team bettered last year’s AUS Swimming championship medal haul of 21 with 33 medals this past weekend. The Axemen and Axewomen finished second in their respective gender category and second overall.

    “The team came together after an amazing season of commitment to training. The guys team was in tough all weekend and actually held the lead once on Friday and once on Saturday,” said head coach Gary MacDonald.

    “We actually outscored Dalhousie in Sunday’s final but Dal’s strength on Day Two kept them ahead. It was an incredible weekend and everyone swam their hearts out,” added MacDonald.

    Brett Liem was chosen as the AUS Male Swimmer of the Meet and first-year Acadia swimmer Josh Nowlan was named the Male Rookie of the Meet.

    The Women’s team also came up big and easily outscored all other teams for a huge second place finish as well.

    “We have a group of 5 swimmers heading to U SPORTS Nationals in 10 days. No new qualifiers this weekend” noted MacDonald.

    The Axewomen finished second overall in the women’s division and the Axemen finished a close second to Dalhousie. Acadia finished second in the combined scoring.

    Five swimmers will be attending the U SPORTS championship February 22-24 at the University of Toronto including Brett Liem, Alison MacEachern, Jessica Pelletier, Kelsea Vessey and Hannah Doiron.

    Medal winners:

    Kelsea Vessey – Gold 200m butterfly, Silver 200m freestyle, Silver 100m butterfly, Bronze 800m freestyle

    Jessica Pelletier – Gold 100m backstroke, Silver 50m backstroke

    Alison MacEachern – Silver 50m butterfly, Bronze 100m butterfly, Bronze 50m freestyle

    Benjamin Henger – Silver 50m backstroke, Silver 100m butterfly, Silver 100m backstroke, Bronze 200m individual medley

    Hannah Doiron – Bronze 100m breaststroke

    Brett Liem – Gold 50m breaststroke, Gold 50m butterfly, Gold 50m freestyle, Silver 100m freestyle

    Adam Deutsch – Gold 200m breaststroke, Gold 100m breaststroke, Silver 400m individual medley, Silver 200m individual medley

    Chris Johnson – Bronze 100m breaststroke

    Isaiah Grambo – Silver 50m butterfly, Bronze 100m butterfly

    Patrick Henger – Silver 200m butterfly

    Joshua Nowlan – Bronze 1500m freestyle

    Relays:

    Silver – 400m Women’s freestyle relay

    Silver – 400m Men’s freestyle relay

    Silver – 800m Women’s freestyle relay

    Silver – 800m Men’s freestyle relay

    Silver – 400m Men’s medley relay

    Silver – 400m Women’s medley relay

  • What If Mary Was a Slut? Challenging The Hookup Culture and Where I Stand

    *Disclaimer: the author of this piece is not trying to project their views. It is simply an opinion piece in which they are grappling with their place in the world.*

    Regarding the title, it is quite the blasphemous remark and definitely not something you would expect “someone like me” to say. For one thing, I have always respected and admired the faith and the commitment of the Church. I was raised in a house with strong Christian values. It made me appreciate church and on my own volition, I started pursuing a greater interest in faith during my University years. Because of this, I was always regarded in a more innocent, naive way, often viewed similarly to a younger sister (even if I was older). One of my friends even has me in his phone as “Mother Theresa” or “Sister Haley”. Another thing is that you will very rarely find me swearing…oops.

    I was known for being fairly conserved and to some, “prudish”. This never bothered me as I was proud of who I was and the choices I made. That being said, I have recently felt that maybe I don’t fit in with modern dating or the hookup culture. I (hopefully) never judged any of my friends for the choices they made and I admired their confidence or the empowerment they had over their bodies and what they did with them. Bottom line: I just want to see people happy and healthy. And, if it is their choice, they must have considered the repercussions and the benefits outweigh the risks. I did, however, read a book that gave me quite the interesting perspective on women empowerment in terms of what they do in the bedroom.

    While reading the book, Female Chauvinist Pig, written by Ariel Levy, I was confronted by so many harsh truths. In fact, it made me feel on edge and uneasy. Mainly because it made me question where I fit in all this. And speaking candidly, the topic of sex still makes me giggle nervously and act awkwardly sometimes. While trying to reflect on the reality of our sex culture, I felt confused and trapped in a world that expects so much and yet delivers so little. The principle is illustrated by the difference of being sexual vs sexy. People aspire for a certain sexiness rather than working on sexual function or the act of having sex. Levy documents how the rise of vaginoplasty (labiaplasty) or vaginal rejuvenation plastic surgery proves that the look is more important than the function. A recent increase in this procedure is in part caused by the porn industry. So accessible and less taboo, women are trying to match what they see and by doing so trying to fit a mold that was never meant to fit! By altering your natural vagina, you risk scarring as well as the risk of creating hypersensitivity or numbing of your pleasure centre. How crazy is that? Statistics prove it’s not that crazy as the increase in surgical procedures related to “sexiness” are on a surge.

    I asked my male friend who is known to be good with the ladies who his “type” was. His response? “Anyone who would sleep with me”. This made me think. Does he see everyone in the same value? Are they just as a body to use or is personality, background and experience ever considered? We have become a culture of reborn promiscuity. In a new sense of self, both men and women get satisfaction from the instant gratification of a one night stand. In numbers alone people carry pride. Discussions of “I’ve slept with so and so” followed up by “Oh yeah? I’ve slept with this many people” has become the norm.

    So where does Mary fit in all this? As I sat in Church one morning, the discussion of the immaculate birth of Christ came up. I was hit with the thought of how a secular society would perceive it. It may carry the assumption that maybe Mary wasn’t faithful to Joseph or, perhaps, they had sex before marriage. At the time, that crime would be stoned to death and Mary would have been labelled a whore. Thankfully, times have changed and people are not stoned to death for breaking promises or being intimate before marriage. Promiscuity has also reached a new level in which numbers are recorded and can be glorified as empowerment. Levy made a comment that women are starting to act more like men in order to level the playing field. I recognize that I fall victim to that while trying to be the “cool girl”. I would comment on the appearance of other women, joke with the boys, let inappropriate or rude comments slide, laugh uncomfortably at sexist jokes, and talk about how I would never be a “crazy” girlfriend. This book made me feel disgusted with myself. I was always considered a “tomboy” and I saw that as being passionate about female rights. Now I realize, that I should never try and conform to be more like my male counterparts. Instead of acting “like a man”, I should act like a woman. Instead of being a “cool girl”, boys should focus on being “cool boys”. We are inherently different, there are gender biases but we shouldn’t put that aside in order to please the opposite sex.

    The way women are depicted in the Bible is quite interesting, especially if their names were Mary. Mary Magdalene, was a prostitute and there was speculation that she was trying to bone Jesus. Then, there is the virgin Mary. The mother of Jesus, who at first is seen in a negative light. Joseph casts her out, she is viewed as a slut and damaged goods. It isn’t until God appears in a dream to Joseph and tells him that she has been faithful and is carrying the Messiah who will save the world. I understand why some people think it’s all baloney, I get it. It all seems pretty far fetched. I can’t imagine how strange it must’ve been for Joseph too. Who knows what he was doing…shrooms maybe?

    So, how is it that God was able to convince a whole host of people that Mary was, in fact, “pure”. And, how did we end up here? Contemporary society is based on judging people on attractiveness levels and more people are meeting thanks to online dating and don’t get me started on the technological advances of sex robots. We are losing touch of human interactions and connectedness. Things like trust are being lost and many people believe in polyamorous relationships and meaningless or emotionless sex. How can that be? Taking a more scientific approach that considers evolution, I think of what humans were like during the state of nature.

    The sole purpose of reproduction was in accordance to the “Survival of The Fittest”. Attractiveness was determined by the ability to survive and if you could bear children. In some ways, maybe we are retreating back to that state in which we judge people based on attractiveness and therefore the survival of good genes and pretty babies.

    The nature and act of having sex has also changed considerably over time. Porn is more accessible and has become more mainstream than ever. Studies have shown that the amount of times men might masturbate to porn could cause erectile dysfunction or impotence. It can also create unrealistic fantasy that are unachievable to meet by the “average” person. And now, we must consider the use of Artificial Intelligence and the development of incredible lifelike sex robots? Are we going to lose the human connection and emotional intimacy that sex brings? It creates life but even that can be artificially made. Are we playing at some kind of God?

    As for Mary, word got out and her story has been celebrated for generations in the Bible. This is how media portrayed her. Another thing that confuses me with all this, is the media portrayal of women. This is an entirely different issue but its prevalence is astronomical and something that is starting to become more relevant. There is no surprise how women are portrayed in media. And, women portrayed in sports is a whole other rant that needs to happen. Ariel Levy said it best : “The collective effect of these pictures of hot (and, in most cases, wet) girls with thighs parted, tiny, porny patches of pubic hair, and coy, nasty-girl pouts made it almost impossible to keep sight of the women’s awesome physical gifts.”. How could we become so disillusioned that we forget the reason we celebrate these women. Not for their looks but for their athletic capabilities. There are many articles outlining the sexualization of female athletes. From the beach volleyball players whose uniforms require them to be in a bikini top and underwear to the lingerie football league.

    As for myself, I have been grappling, trying to figure out where I fit in all this. This isn’t your typical existential crisis. A part of me wants to succumb to the easy gratification of Tinder. A reinforcement that people are physically attracted to me, whenever I’m feeling down it would be a little pick me up. On the other hand, the whole idea of it makes me nauseous. The concept that you are judging people solely based on looks and what you’re attracted to. On days were I’m feeling self conscious, I worry that I would never get a “swipe right’” (liked). How would I be able to trust the people I meet or talk to anyways? These are just my thoughts so take them as you like.

    When it’s all said and done, it is your choice to do as you please so long as you’re not hurting yourself or others. I wish you all the best in life, love and health.

     

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  • Player Tribune – Erik Nissen

    Dear New Brunswick,

    My chapter of playing in your gyms is coming to a close and I have so much to thank you for. With this Saturday at UNB very realistically being my last game in New Brunswick, so many memories start to flood back to me; so many people I am thankful to and so many great memories growing up. To say that it was all perfect would be dishonest, but for everything we have gone through it has made me who I am, a proud New Brunswick basketball player.  I hope to take that competitiveness and passion for the game wherever my next gym may be.

    To be honest, it probably wasn’t supposed to be like this. If it hadn’t been for the people who were in my corner growing up I’d probably be waddling around on skates. I started my career in basketball the same as anyone else in New Brunswick, in the minor associations.   For me, that was the KVBA. Though it may seem silly in hindsight, at a young age I had to choose between playing competitive basketball or hockey.  If it wasn’t for Peter Buckley of the KVBA taking a risk and picking me up from the younger age class to play competitive basketball, hockey may have stayed in the picture. The fact that it’s extremely hard to find size 15 skates may have been another good reason. 

    If I had to pinpoint when basketball went from a hobby to a near obsession, it was that year of basketball. After that year I had started to age out of the KVBA and had my eyes set on Basketball New Brunswick. I remember going to tryout in Moncton for a program called CP.  I was vastly underaged at that point so I went for the open tryout day just for the experience of playing against bigger and better players, guys like Adam Spurrell and Richie Wilkins, who in my eyes, were the basketball elite.  I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to get asked to stay for the weekend camp, so I didn’t even pack a bag.   Serge Langis took a risk and decided to take me for the camp. I had to go to Walmart to get some clothes so I wouldn’t be stinking up the gym on Day 3.

    I have had the honour of being coached by people who relentlessly supported me and the opportunities that I got. The biggest influence on me as a basketball player, without a doubt, would be Paul Vaughan. I’ve spent countless hours practicing with him on weekends, late nights, or before school, trying to fix a broken jump shot (not quite fixed yet) and trying to make a kid with the middle school nickname “Bambi” have decent footwork. Any and all of the success that I’ve had as a player through the years I share with him. I’ll be eternally thankful for the mentorship and friendship I have with Paul. The list would be too long to mention all the great New Brunswick coaches that helped me develop over the years. I would be remiss to not mention the basketball IQ of Ryan Chase or the honesty and intensity of any of the three Hickey brothers helping me through the years I’ve spent either spent playing under them or coaching beside them.

    I couldn’t tell you my journey without mentioning my parents.  I am not just talking about token sitting-in-the-stands-and-reading-the-newspaper parents, but parents who spent time after the game, talking about all the little things, helping me learn the game. I couldn’t be more thankful for them not only being fans in the stands but fanatics about my development as a person. They are completely consistent and predictable even to this day. My competitiveness I no doubt got from my Dad, Steve. Playing games of H.O.R.S.E., 1 on 1, or just there to rebound for me after countless shots at the end of the driveway. I will always love my Mother, Monica, for pushing me to be a better person on and off the court. She, to this day, holds me to a high standard of being, although I definitely struggle with this one from time to time!  She is always there with a warm heart and open arms for me at the end of the day.  Without a doubt, they inspired me to push my limits and were there to motivate me every step of the way.  It was a family affair and my sister has spent more time than she would have probably liked in the car or gyms for my love of basketball.

    I have to mention the fans of basketball in New Brunswick. Coming into my final game in my home province, it’s amazing to see how far the game that I love so dearly has grown. There’s an energy about basketball that I can see now that wasn’t there all too long ago. The amount of high-level basketball that is available to the current basketball fan and young players in New Brunswick is phenomenal. We have professional basketball teams in Moncton and Saint John and high-level U SPORTS basketball in Fredericton. Young ball players can have tangible role models in their city to look up to.  For me, being able to go to a camp, or later, shoot around with the Mill Rats (now Riptide) made playing high-level basketball seem real.  It all feeds growth and now NB has players that have played NCAA Division 1 basketball and our provincial basketball teams are competing for medals at Nationals. The options for developing young talent in New Brunswick are at an all-time high. To me, this has all become possible because of the dedication of BNB and the fans of the game. New Brunswick is becoming a basketball province and I LOVE it.

    My basketball journey has not always been a straight line.  There are always high points, like playing in the FISU games or a full gym of fans at Acadia, and low ones too, like lost championships or disappointments to deal with.  I take it all with me and hope that no matter what gym I am in I can make NB proud.

    Thank you, New Brunswick.

    Erik Nissen

     

  • Let’s Talk about the Leafs

    Let’s talk about the Leafs. Anyone who has been paying attention to the NHL recently will know that the change in the Leafs over the last five years is comparable to the change you’ve undergone since you’ve started university. Since I started university 4 years ago, the Leafs have undergone the rebuild of the league.

    Admittedly I’m a bandwagoner.  Previously, over the past two decades, the Leafs were as fun to watch as an 8:30 lecture on a Friday after a night out at the Vil. If falling asleep in class wasn’t what came to mind when I mentioned that, I commend your effort. Seriously, the Leafs sucked. In fact, from 2005 to 2016 the Leafs only managed to qualify for the playoffs once. They were horrendous. The team lacked any tenacity and it was really boring hockey to watch. The Leafs did qualify for the 2013 playoffs but ultimately lost to the Bruins (BOO) after they came back from a 4 goal deficit to beat the Leafs in overtime. This really was the epitome of the Leafs. Everything seemed like smooth sailing with only one period left and a 4-1 lead only to have it all implode. It’s almost comical watching a die-hard Leafs fan hear the date May 13th.

    So why are we talking about the Leafs now? Well, it all starts with Leafs coach, Mike Babcock, or as any Leafs fan can attest, an angel sent down from Heaven. Babcock had been around the league for almost a decade before eventually ending up in Toronto. His career started off pretty strong in 2003 when he helped guide the Mighty Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals. After this, he coached the Red Wings for almost a decade. Throughout his time in Detroit he became the coach with the second highest amount of wins in Red Wings history. So no doubt Mike Babcock was a well established coach with a good reputation. Upon reaching the Leafs in 2014 Mike Babcock set the tone early about his vision for the future of his team. In his first press conference as head coach of the Leafs he stated “ I didn’t come here to [just] make the playoffs” and “ We have good people here, we’re going to acquire more good people and make them better”. As Leafs fans can attest he has certainly delivered on this promise. Although the Leafs did not win the Stanley cup last year, they did make the playoffs for the first time in years.

     

    Where did this success come from? Well, in unison with GM Lou Lamoriello, Babcock and Lou started a complete rebuild of the Leafs. Seriously, big names like Reimer, Kessel and even the captain Dion Phaneuf were traded away for first round draft picks and more flexibility with the salary cap. Enter Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Freddy Anderson. My god, these guys have given the Leafs an all new look. They are fast, clever, athletic and extremely smart. Between the 3 forwards listed above they scored a total of 191 points last year. These guys were rookies and they were already scoring 60+ points a season, each. That is absolutely bonkers. What about Freddy Anderson? Well, this season he has the most saves in the league. While he may not lead in save percentage or goals against average he has nonetheless been pinnacle to the development of the Leafs.

    The main stars aren’t the only ones who have been lighting it up lately. The Leafs have stumbled into a team composition with an insane amount of depth. The defensive squad is doing just fine; something that the Leafs have struggled with in the past. Rielly and Zaitsev are standouts this year on that front. Surprisingly, and I never thought I’d be saying this– Gardiner looks great this year. He’s able to hold the blue line consistently and his skating has turned him into an offensive threat too. One of my favourite things to see him do is drive straight toward the net to give the forwards time to set up. It doesn’t always work but he always skates hard back to the line to support an opposing breakout. The depth doesn’t stop at the blue line either, among the forwards there is a constant battle for who will play on the Leafs 4th line. The Marlies (the Leafs farm team) have a number of star players constantly battling for who will slot in to the 4th center position. Damian Spriggs, a good friend of mine, covers this in great depth in an article he published called The Toronto Maple Leafs 4c Situation on The Leaflet if you’re interested in the specifics.

    Sadly, it’s not all sunshine and butterflies for the Leafs. Despite a dynamic and impressive playstyle the Leafs currently sit in third place of the Atlantic Divisions trailing behind Boston (FML) and a team that has been lighting it up this year, Tampa Bay. However, all is not lost. The Leafs recently lost to Tampa Bay in 2-0 loss, but they had a number of great opportunities to score and they kept Tampa on their toes for the duration of the game. Only the conference finals will tell whether Toronto has what it takes to take out the number one team in the league. From there, should they succeed (fingers crossed), they will have a real shot at winning the cup.  

     

    Even if you’re like me, an admitted bandwagoner, there’s never been a better time to be a Leafs fan. The team is dynamic, fast and plays a completely new meta of hockey that makes even losses fun to watch.

  • ‘IUDid’: The Rise of Intrauterine Devices in Young Women

    I was sitting in the doctor’s office nervously. I had taken off all bottoms and layed a sheet over me to protect my vanity. There were scary looking tools beside me. In fact, when I picked up my prescription, $400 later, it didn’t make me feel any better that the box was as long as my arm. How is the size of that gonna fit in here! From the get-go, I was uneasy but excited about the procedure. I did a lot of Googling and speaking to friends and my doctor to ease any worries, many of whom recommended it, with the bonus that it may stop your period altogether! From the articles I read, I was expecting much worse than what I got.

    The doctor arrived in the room and right off the bat I warned her that I might start giggling. “Oh you laugh when you’re nervous?”, she asked and I shrugged because I was pretty nervous. The nurse who prepared the tools and did the pregnancy test beforehand offered me Advil™. I had read online that they recommend you take Advil™ 90 minutes before the procedure. This simple question freaked me out. Is it really gonna hurt that much? I was kicking myself for not following the advice online.  I was already regretting the fact that I was heading back to work immediately after the IUD. Everything I read said to take it easy and give yourself a few days of taking-it-easy afterwards. Basically, you are at risk of cramps, discomfort and dizziness. Of course these symptoms are subjective and each body will react differently.

    I kept psyching myself up and repeating to myself how strong I was and how I have such a great tolerance to pain. This still didn’t settle those butterflies. The only thing that made me feel better was the actual procedure itself and the feeling afterwards. You know that proud, accomplished feeling you get when you stick something in your vagina? Joking aside, the IUD does not go into the vagina as if it were a tampon. It goes even deeper into the cervix. The cervix is what dilates when you are having a baby. That’s right, the IUD goes into the place a whole baby will come out of. If you ever have children down the road, the IUD is taken out and a baby will stretch it out much more than the IUD device.  I’m assuming it won’t be for some time as IUDs are a 99.9% effective method of birth control that lasts anywhere from 3 to 10 years! Another pro is that you will never forget to take a pill and your hormones are consistently being regulated without your intervention. I had a lot of facts from my research and my doctor had the pleasure of listening to me during my 20 minute appointment.

    I’m a talker who is very curious about everything. Naturally, this led me to ask question after question as my doctor gave me my IUD. “Is my uterus normal?”, “Is there any way I can relax my cervix to make this easier?”, “Do you ever get tired of delivering babies?”, “Have you ever had a patient who’s IUD came out?” And so on and so forth. The questions were endless until I was learning plenty about giving birth and what the experience is like for both the mother and doctor. At one point, she looked up and asked me how I was doing. I was just fine. There was cramping, obviously- a foreign body is pressing into your cervix and the pressure alone will give you cramps, but asides from that, no pain. I had withstood worse cramps naturally when I was on my period.

    There was a little struggle with the cervix, considering I have never had children. IUDs were a more common procedure for women who no longer want children later in their life. Because of this, the device can fit easily as the cervix has been stretched by pushing out a baby. That being said, the rise of IUD is young people is growing and it doesn’t show sign of stopping. There are many different IUDs on the market. I was prescribed Kyleena™, my doctor recommended this one as it was developed for women under 25 who have never had children. Of course, all IUDs are generally the same and advice from this doctor doesn’t discredit any other brands or recommendations your own doctor may make. Most of my friends also had Kyleena™, but one had Mirena™. Since I am not enrolled as a full-time student, I don’t have the luxury of health care (asides from OHIP). On January 1, 2018, OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) declared that most prescriptions were free to those under 25! Fortunately for those prescribed Mirena™, you are completely covered and don’t have to pay a cent. Unfortunately, for those who are getting Kyleena™ (me!), you have to pay the full amount of $416.95.

    It may seem like a large sum of money and believe me, it took me by surprise to lose that much from a paycheck, but if you crunch the numbers, it will pay for itself. I used to spend approximately $90 every 3 months for birth control (although now it’s covered in Ontario). This doesn’t even equate to the amount of money I’ve spent on feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads, etc.) over the years. Those things are expensive and your period is something you have to invest in, starting at puberty all the way to menopause. Which for some, starts at 15- and goes to 50+.

    IUDs first started their epic journey in 1909 when a Polish Doctor, Dr. Richard Rickter, fashioned a intrauterine ring. Unfortunately, this method of contraception wasn’t accepted for another 50 years and for good reason, considering a slightly scary past of infection, expulsions, perforations and deaths. Over time, the shape and design of IUDs changed significantly to the much smaller, more appealing design they have nowadays. Around the globe today, intrauterine devices are the most popular form of reversible birth control, with over 160 million users! Bear in mind this is just a brief history and it is a quite fascinating one. I encourage anyone who has the time and is curious, to read into it more. There are stories dating back to putting stones in camels and testing the first ones on a physician’s wife.

    The moral of the article is that it is a fairly easy, straightforward procedure that doesn’t result in too much pain. There is a feeling of discomfort but nothing you can’t withstand. You are a woman who is capable of anything. Taking birth control or control of your periods into your own hands is liberating and powerful. For me, there is still the small voice that tells me, is this too unnatural? Is it even safe? Looking throughout history, the rise of IUDs has been a positive correlation because of the positive effects and high success rate. If you have any questions regarding IUDs or my opinions towards them, please shoot me a message, I would love to hear from you. As always, I hope you are happy and healthy, making decisions that will reward you or teach you. Until next time.

  • In Pursuit of Excellence- Elliott Richardson

    It is common knowledge that varsity athletes put in extensive hours to prepare for their games and competitions each week. These are hours spent at practice with their team, in physio, in meetings, and also in the weight room. At Acadia, Elliott Richardson is a consistent presence for all athletes in the varsity weight room.

    As the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Acadia, Richardson works with all varsity teams. He prepares customized training plans for each sport and will modify and adapt these plans to fit the needs of individual athletes. With the support of his staff and kinesiology student volunteers, Elliott does everything that he can to ensure Acadia athletes are prepared to win. Some may say that he is lucky to have the opportunity to work with every varsity team at Acadia, but most athletes here would argue that they are fortunate to work with Richardson.

    As explained by Keisha Kane of the Women’s Rugby Team “It is crazy to think I have been training with Elliott for five years now. His knowledge in the weight room and his desire to make his athletes the best they can be is second to none. Without his help, I would not have become the athlete I am today. I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for me over the past five years”.

    An Acadia graduate, Richardson understands the difference a Strength and Condition coach can have on the success and preparedness of athletes at the university level. “I got into performance training mostly to improve myself. When I was a student here we didn’t have a strength coach” explained Richardson.

    During his time playing varsity football at Acadia, Richardson was known for putting in countless hours in the weight room. “I was never the most gifted athlete, but I was able to improve physically. I was training since I was 14, and I was able to continue past people who were more skilled and more athletically gifted”.  These hours in the gym as well as his success on the field impressed CFL coaches, and Richardson found himself playing football in the CFL for three years after graduating with a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Acadia.

    After his time in the CFL, Richardson created his own opportunities at Acadia, all driven from his desire to offer athletes the opportunities he wish he had been given. “When I got cut, instead of going back home, I decided to go back here [Wolfville]. I volunteered with football, and then that turned into working with a few teams, and then all teams, and privately too. I wanted to give every athlete the opportunity that I wish I’d had as an athlete. I feel like I could’ve gotten better if I’d had the cutting-edge programs and coaches” explained Richardson.

    Richardson has just celebrated his sixth year working full-time as the Strength and Conditioning coach for Acadia, and many senior athletes have been along for the journey with him.  Jackson Clayton of the Men’s Football team has worked with Richardson throughout his time at Acadia. “I would say being a fifth-year varsity athlete, I came around the same time Coach Elliott became the varsity Strength and Conditioning coach here at Acadia, and to see the growth in not only the facility of the High-Performance Center or within the workout programs he makes, but within himself and his staff, is unbelievable. He changes people’s bodies and ways of thinking and helps us become better athletes. Every year he comes at us with something new, something better than the previous year and it challenges us to hold ourselves to his standard, and the athletics department has made significant strides with Coach” praised Clayton.

    With the recent success of varsity teams at Acadia, it would be simple for Richardson to assume he has done his job well, but he challenges himself to look for more than just success on the playing field. “I can’t say the reason the athletes are getting better is because of the work I am doing, because I realize there is more that goes into it” explained Richardson.

    Richardson would be among the biggest supporters of all athletes at Acadia, “I love seeing our athletes do really good, but it’s more the day-to-day stuff of getting a personal best or mindset change”.

    Elliott Richardson has earned the trust and respect of all athletes he works with, from middle school and high school Acadia Performance Training athletes, up to Acadia University Varsity athletes. He truly has created a culture of hard work and dedication among all his athletes, and they aim to reach the high bar he sets.  

  • A Tribute to Jeremy David Ingham: 1995-2017

    A Tribute to Jeremy David Ingham: 1995-2017

    I wish I could write this with the justice and passion that Jeremy deserves. I did not know him personally, but Jeremy was someone who every Acadia student was familiar with. Jeremy passed away at age 22 on December 29th,  2017. Jeremy fought a long, hard battle after being diagnosed with bone cancer in 2013. In July 2017, Jeremy was informed that his cancer was inoperable. Despite this, Jeremy stayed the positive, hard working, and selfless person he was. Jeremy established a memorial fund for cancer research through the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute and the IWK Foundation in Halifax (see bottom of article to consider donating to Jeremy’s trust). Jeremy was a member of the Acadia swim team during the 2015-2016 season – a remarkable feat considering all he had been through. Jeremy made a donation to his team to improve their locker room after discovering that his illness was terminal. Jeremy graduated from Acadia with a BSC in Chemistry and Biology in October 2017. Jeremy left Acadia students with an inspiring message prior to his passing: “Just keep going. A little bit of pressure can be a good thing. Make good use of your time here because it goes much quicker than you think. And don’t be afraid to push beyond your comfort zone in academics, sports, clubs, and social situations. To those who are trying to find their path in life, know that it’s okay to not know what you want to do in the future. It’s better to wait until you have that genuine moment where you discover what really drives you than to jump into something unimportant because it was a safer choice.” One does not need to know Jeremy well to appreciate just how special he was. Thank you, Jeremy, for making Acadia, Wolfville, and the world a better place.

     

  • Axemen end season on sour note

    The U SPORTS No. 7 ranked Acadia Axemen (11-5-2) ended the first half of their season on a sour note, losing 3-2 in OT to the No. 2 UNB Varsity Reds (15-0-3).

    Acadia held the lead twice in the game, but the league’s best V-Reds answered back each time.

    The Axemen head into the holiday break with fourth place in the AUS standings.

    The first period was dominated by the Axemen, as they outshot UNB 12-7 and took a 1-0 lead into the second frame.

    Axemen forward Boston Leier scored at 6:07 in the opening period when he picked up the puck off the back boards and fired it past UNB’s goalie Alex Dubeau to ignite the home crowd.

    UNB responded with a strong second period, where they dominated most of the play and outscored the Axemen 2-1 in the period to tie the game 2-2 heading into the final frame.

    The Varsity Reds tied the game a little over three minutes into the second period, when UNB forward Stephen Anderson scored on a wrist shot in tight of the Axemen net.

    Acadia regained the lead 10 seconds later when Axemen forward Kyle Farrell scored high blocker on a breakaway.

    UNB tied the game again late in the period, with a power-play marker from defenseman Olivier LeBlanc.

    Although both teams had their chances in the third, neither were able to break the tie and so the game headed to OT.

    UNB defenseman and Subway First Star of the Game, Matt Murphy scored 16 seconds into OT to end the game.

    A dejected Axemen squad was well represented by captain Liam Maaskant’s thoughts following the game.

    “In the first period, we just wanted to get shots on net. I think we had a great first period, we came out hard. The second period is when they got their chances and took advantage. In the third period, we definitely battled back and we had twenty guys in the room who bought in for the third period. We played them hard and just a couple of bounces didn’t go our way and as a result, we just got one point,” said Maaskant.

    Axemen goaltender Robert Steeves stopped 29 of 32 shots on the night, while his UNB counterpart Dubeau turned aside 21 of 23.

    Acadia was unable to make use of their power-play, going 0-for-6 on the night, while the Varsity Reds were not much better at 1-for-6.

    The Axemen defeated the UPEI Panthers 6-3 in the first of two home games this weekend before the Christmas break. Axemen forward and Subway First Star of the Game Boston Leier scored two goals on the night to help the Axemen secure the win.

    Acadia was strong offensively in the first and held a 3-0 lead heading into the second period.

    Axemen forward and Third Star of the Game, Chance Braid, opened the scoring, lifting the puck past the left shoulder of the Panthers’ goalie Matt Mahalak, knocking the water bottle off the top of the net in the process.

    Adding to their lead, Axemen forward Boston Leier scored a power-play marker late in the period.

    Leier added another goal with 1.6 seconds remaining in the opening period, with a wrist shot over the left shoulder of the UPEI goalie to give the Axemen a 3-0 lead into the locker room.

    “We wanted to come out strong and we didn’t necessarily execute the game plan. We took a couple early penalties. It’s a little harder when you are up against the ropes right off the bat, but we battled off those penalties, got a couple of goals, which is nice and it’s always good to get a good lead,” commented Leier after the game.

    The Panthers and Axemen each added a goal in the second to make it 4-1 heading into the final frame.

    UPEI scored on their fifth power-play of the game, off a low wrist shot from Second Star of the Game, Beau McCue.

    Acadia responded with a goal in the last minute of the second from rookie forward Owen MacDonald, who was left wide open in front and made no mistake on the pass from Remy Giftopoulos.

    Both teams added two goals in the third period, with both teams scoring an even-strength and power-play goal.

    Ryan Foss went end-to-end with the puck and tucked it through the legs of the Panthers goalie for a highlight reel goal.

    The Panthers added two late goals from forward Brent Andrews and Cody Payne.

    Axemen goaltender Robert Steeves turned aside 21 of 24 shots, while Mahalak stopped 21 of 27 shots.

    The Axemen will take to the ice in 2018 in Wolfville on Friday, Jan. 5 as they host the Moncton Aigles Bleus, while the Varsity Reds host Dalhousie on the same night. Puck drop for both games is 7:00 p.m.

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