TEMPE – The No. 18 Arizona State ice hockey team (20-6-6) completed the sweep against Alaska (12-12-2) in a 4-2 victory on Friday night at Mullett Arena. The power play unit collected a total of nine points with three goals to help give ASU its 20th victory of the 2023-24 season.
This weekend’s sweep marks the first time the Sun Devils got two consecutive wins over Alaska since the 2018-19 season where they shut out the Nanooks in both games. ASU improved its record against Alaska to 6-8-1.
ASU is one of only seven teams in NCAA Division I hockey to reach 20 wins so far this season. The Sun Devils are now three wins away from breaking the program record for most wins in a season set in 2019-20.
It was another record-breaking night for Matthew Kopperud as he added two goals to his power play goal season tally. At 14 PPG, Kopperud broke his own program record for most goals while on the man-advantage, set at 13 during his sophomore year in 2021-22.
Photo – Sun Devil Athletics
Kopperud also logged an assist to give him a three-point night, his first since playing at Robert Morris in December (1G, 2A). He broke the record for all-time power play goals scored by a Sun Devil earlier this season, surpassing Johnny Walker’s 25 goals. His 38 career power play goals is tied at No. 6 in all-time NCAA career power play scoring.
Tim Lovell and Lukas Sillinger, both Hobey Baker Award nominees, each tallied two assists tonight bringing their season total to 28 each. They’re currently three assists away from breaking the record for most assists in a single season, currently held by Robert Mastrosimone at 31. Lovell also moves within four points of tying Brinson Pasichnuk’s record of most points by a defenseman in a season (37).
Gibson Homer recorded his third-straight 30-plus save game tonight totaling 30. After 10 games, Gibson Homer owns a .943 save percentage and averages just 1.62 goals against per game. With two wins this weekend, his NCAA record improves to 6-1-2.
After the bye-week, the Sun Devils will travel to Fairbanks, Alaska to face off in the second half of the home-and-away series with the Nanooks. Puck drop is slated for 9:07 p.m. MST on Feb. 23-24. Both games can be heard on Sun Devil Hockey Radio Network, Fox Sports 910.
PERIOD BREAKDOWN
First Period
The first penalty of the game was to Alaska for too many men on the ice, sending ASU to its first power play of the game. Matthew Kopperud came in clutch with his 13th power play goal of the season to put the Sun Devils up 1-0. Tim Lovell and Lukas Sillinger both earned their 27th assists of the season on the play. Shortly after, ASU was sent to the box for roughing, but kept Alaska at bay. In the closing minutes of the first period, Alaska bounced the puck into the net to tie the game. ASU’s bench challenged the play, but were unsuccessful and lost their time out.
Second Period
ASU went back on the penalty kill early in the second period, but Alaska was called for tripping with under a minute into the penalty resulting in four-on-four action. When the Sun Devils’ penalty expired, the power play unit came onto the ice looking to capitalize on the minute left with an advantage. Kopperud shot a puck coming from Lovell where it was then deflected to Ty Jackson’s stick and into the net, regaining the lead at 2-1. Gibson Homercame up big with several huge saves during the Sun Devils’ third penalty kill of the night to keep the game at 2-1. The Sun Devils went back on the power play in the final four minutes in the period. Kopperud fired one home to extend ASU’s lead to 3-1, his second PPG of the night and 14th of the season. Lukas Sillinger collected his second assist of the night along with Ty Jackson on the play.
Third Period
Alaska opened the period stealing a goal back to put the game at 3-2. ASU found themselves back in the penalty box but were able to thwart off any attempts made by Alaska. With 26 seconds left in the kill, the Nanooks went to the box for tripping, commencing four-on-four for the second time. Ethan Szmagaj put the game away with an empty-netter, ending the game at 4-2. Brian Chambers and Ty Murchison were credited with the assists.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Megan Neely
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