(Tempe, AZ) The No. 16 Arizona State ice hockey team (16-6-5) fell, 5-4, in heartbreaking final seconds against Augustana (7-11-3) on Friday night at Mullett Arena. Despite a high-scoring game, the Vikings netted the game-winning goal with 31 seconds left to snag the series opening victory.
Despite the outcome, several Sun Devils found the back of the net tonight. Matthew Kopperud scored his 14th goal of the season off a behind-the-net pass from Tyler Grattonless than two minutes into the game. Ryan Alexander scored his third goal of the season that put the Sun Devils up to 2-0 with help from Jackson Niedermayer and Brandon Tabakin.
Augustana tied the game, 2-2, before the end of the first period, but ASU kept the momentum on its side. Just over 90 seconds into the middle frame, Benji Eckerle slotted one home to regain the lead. The Sun Devils couldn’t shake the Vikings, who continued to match ASU goal-for-goal. The second period ended in a 3-3 tie.
The Vikings stole their first lead of the night at the start of the third period on a power play opportunity at 2:30 in the frame. Seven minutes later, Tim Lovell lit the lamp with his fourth goal of the season to tie the game, 4-4, while on the powerplay.
ASU called a timeout with a minute left in regulation, but Augustana found a way to net the game-winning goal with 30 seconds left in the game.
GAME NOTABLES
- Forward and team captain Tyler Gratton played in his 150th NCAA career game
- Gibson Homer made his sixth appearance for the Sun Devils this season
- The Sun Devils registered 38 shots tonight to Augustana’s 15 shots
- ASU had nine point scorers with four different players tallying a goal and five of the six assists generated by different skaters. Brian Chambers is the sole skater to put up a two-point night with two assists
- Tim Lovell now has 27 points on the season, putting him at third in the nation for points by a defenseman. He is second among defensemen in assists in the NCAA
- Matthew Kopperud still leads in powerplay goals across the NCAA with 11 PPG through 27 games this season
- Matthew Kopperud is four points away from 100 NCAA career points
- The Sun Devils move to 10-3-1 when scoring four or more goals
- ASU is now 9-3-3 when having 30-39 shots on goal, on the other side we are 2-1-0 when we allow between 10-19 shots in a game
- ASU is now 11-3-4 when out-shooting its opponent
Game two of this weekend’s tilt will be back at Mullett Arena on Saturday night. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. MST and can be streamed on Pac-12 Insider or listen in on the Sun Devil Hockey Radio Network, Fox Sports 910.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Megan Neely
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