“In February, you take road wins and any wins anyway you can get them,” said head coach Greg Powers. “Tonight was interesting, but all the credit goes to that team. Holy Cross was really good and made it really difficult on us in transition and for us to get going. Incredibly well coached and well structured. They probably deserved a better fate but our guys found a way to battle back in the third and win it in overtime.”
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After an early powerplay opportunity was stymied by Holy Cross, the Sun Devils continued pressure in the Crusader zone before a shot from Brett Gruber was tipped in front by junior forward Willie Knierim for the 1-0 lead. Knierim’s goal came nearly seven minutes into the first period, and was his fifth in the last three games and eighth in his last seven.
Holy Cross carried over pressure from the end of the first period, and Logan Ferguson put the Crusaders on the board seven minutes into the second. Off the draw, Ferguson snapped a quick shot from just inside the right circle that beat Evan DeBrouwer farside.
Exactly three minutes later, during 4-on-4, Neil Robinson capitalized on a blocked shot in their own zone, capitalizing on a breakaway opportunity to give Holy Cross the 2-1 lead.
For just the seventh time this season, the Sun Devils trailed entering the third period. But 1:14 into the third, freshman defenseman Jacob Semik dangled a Crusader before dishing to PJ Marrocco in the right circle for a one-timer that beat Matt Radomsky.
Despite a later powerplay with seven minutes remaining in the 3rd, the Sun Devils could not capitalize on any of their four chances.
In overtime, ASU maintained the zone for over two minutes, forcing several icing calls while keeping the same Holy Cross line on the ice. Finally, with 1:16 remaining in extra time, junior forward James Sanchez found Maniscalco crashing down the slot unattended. He fired home a shot through traffic in front for the game-winner – the third of his career and tenth goal of the season.
GAME FACTS:
The Sun Devils were 1-4-1 when trailing entering the second period so far this season. Their last and only other victory was on Jan. 12 versus Brown, in which they trailed 3-1 before winning 4-3 in overtime.
ronically, Maniscalco also scored the overtime game-winner in the only other come-from-behind win when trailing after the second period. He buried that goal with 1:26 remaining in overtime.
Maniscalco’s ten goals rank him second in the country among defensemen– two out of the national lead.
Maniscalco now has four game-winning goals this season.
Maniscalco is also on a three-game point streak with a goal and four assists. He’s averaging a point per game over his last 14 games with five goals and nine assists.
ASU is 13-1-1 against the Atlantic Hockey conference in their last 15 games.
Willie Knierim now has eight goals in his last seven games, and five in the last three games.
Knierim has 11 of his 15 goals against Atlantic Hockey Conference opponents.
With an assist tonight, James Sanchez moves into sole possession of seventh place nationally in scoring with 34 points, and 8th in assists with 25. He is currently on a three-game point streak.
Sanchez’s 34th point tonight ties him for the most points in a single season by a Sun Devil (Johnny Walker in 2018-19).
For the first time in program history, the Sun Devils have four players with double-digit goals.
The Sun Devil penalty kill has negated the last 30 opposing power play opportunities dating back to Jan. 5 vs. Michigan Tech.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics
