(Tempe, AZ) Sun Devil Hockey (23-7-6) broke the program record for most wins in a single season in the 4-3 victory over the Long Island Sharks (16-20-1) at Mullett Arena. The record-setting victory was ushered in by four goals all netted by a senior night honoree. Nine out the Sun Devils’ 12 points on Saturday night came from the graduating class.
ASU collected its 23rd win of the season, outpacing its previous record of 22 from 2019-20 (cut short due to COVID). In 2018-19 the Sun Devils made their first NCAA Tournament with a 21-win season.
Seniors Lukas Sillinger, Matthew Kopperud, Benji Eckerle, Ryan O’Reilly, Alex Young, and Tim Lovell and graduates Brian Chambers, Tyler Gratton, and Brandon Tabakin were all recognized during the pre-game ceremony. Throughout the season so far, the senior class reached 168 points scored complete with 61 goals and 107 assists.
Kopperud put on a goal-scoring show during the honorary game. In the second period, he collected his 19th and 20th goals of the season. The second, scored on the man-advantage, marked his 39th career power play goal. He now sits in the top-5 for all-time career power play goal scorers in the history of the NCAA.
The alternate captain and forward is now within three goals of breaking the single-season goal record, currently set at 23 by Johnny Walker. He is also eight goals from breaking the program record for all-time career goals. Walker also set that record at 70.
Lukas Sillinger broke the single-season assist record last night as he tallied his 32nd assist in the second period. With his three assists tonight, Sillinger has tallied seven points in the last three games and has a total of 35 apples on the season. After this weekend, he is now tied with Sun Devil alum Robert Mastrosimone for most points in a single season with 42.
TJ Semptimphelter returned to the ice tonight and collected his eighth 30-plus save game of the season, logging 31 total saves.
Game Notables:
Matthew Kopperud scored his 20th goal of the season, his 39th career goal on the power play.
Lukas Sillinger tallied a three-point night with three assists. This marks his second 3+ point game this season, previously accomplishing this at Robert Morris where he collected five points.
ASU has scored 4 goals in each of the last three games.
PERIOD BREAKDOWN
First Period
ASU killed the first power play chance for the Sharks at the seven minute mark. Following a scrum in front, ASU thought it netted a goal from Ty Jackson. The officials called their own review and ultimately concluded that the puck did not fully cross the line. Moments later, LIU scored the first goal of the game to take the 1-0 lead. LIU led the shot count through the first 20 minutes, 13-9. Both teams enjoyed a power play chance, but neither could convert.
Second Period
TJ Semptimphelter was the star early in the middle frame, deflating several LIU chances through the first 10 minutes. On senior night, senior Ryan O’Reilly scored his 26th career goal with assists by Kyle Smolen and fellow senior Benji Eckerle to tie the game 1-1 at 08:06. Two minutes later, Matthew Kopperud picked up the puck next to LIU’s net and snuck it past the goalie to grab the lead, 2-1. The Sun Devils’ special teams were brought on the ice for another power play after a hooking penalty was called on the Sharks. The seniors extended ASU’s lead after Sillinger and Chambers connected with Kopperud, five minutes after his first goal of the game.
Third Period
Not long after the start of the final period, LIU was penalized with a boarding call. Head coach Greg Powers challenged the penalty to change the call to a five-minute major penalty and was ultimately successful. The Sun Devils’ went on the power play where graduate cneter Brian Chambers found the back of the net to put ASU up 4-1. Sillinger and Jackson collected their third and second assists of the night, respectively. LIU challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but did not find the same success in its efforts. Shortly after the five-minute major expired, LIU returned to the box for a slashing call. Despite being down a man, the Sharks were able to convert a short-handed goal on a break away to snag a goal back, making it 4-2. LIU pulled their goalie with just under four minutes left in the game to put an extra man on the ice. Just before the two minute marker, the Sharks found the back of the net to get within one. ASU held off another pulled goalie scenario by the Sharks to secure the 4-3 victory.
Up Next
The Sun Devils finish the 2023-24 season on the road at Alaska Anchorage on Friday-Saturday, March 8-9. Both games of the series can be heard on Fox Sports 910, the home of Sun Devil Hockey radio.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Paige Shacklett
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