(Providence, RI) A slow start in Friartown stalled the Arizona State ice hockey (1-3-1) offense to a 4-1 loss at No. 14 Providence (1-1-0) on Friday night. Transfers Ryan Kirwan and Bennett Schimek connected for ASU’s sole goal of the game in the third period at Schneider Arena.
Despite the score differential, ASU went shot-for-shot with the Friars by the end of the night and had a particularly strong third period with 13 shots on goal compared to Providence’s eight.
Both teams played a clean sheet with only three penalties throughout 60 minutes. ASU enjoyed two man-advantage opportunities, but could not convert.
The Friars pushed the needle on faceoffs, successfully winning 55.2 percent of battles at the dot. ASU’s Cole Gordon had a solid night as a faceoff specialist after winning 71 percent to take the team lead on the season with a 63.3 percent success rate.
Goaltender Gibson Homer made his fourth start of the season and finished the night with 23 saves and three goals against. His record drops to 1-2-1 with a 2.54 goals against average and .912 save percentage.
With an apple on Friday, Schimek boasts eight points on the season from four goals and four assists to tie defenseman Noah Beck for the team lead.
It’s the third time this season that ASU has allowed four goals against in a single game (at Air Force, vs. #10 Michigan, at #14 Providence). The Friars also notched the second hat trick against the Sun Devils this season – No. 10 Michigan tallied a hatty in the Friday matchup last weekend in Mullett Arena.
First Period
The opening frame in Friartown put the Sun Devils on their heels with two goals to make up early. Providence scored its first goal of the game at 3:32 into play and followed it up with a secondary lamp-lighter by the same skater 10 minutes later. ASU was outshot nine to 12 through the first 20 minutes.
Second Period
After a regrouping intermission, the Sun Devils came out with much more executed control in the middle frame. Despite an uptick in ASU offense, the Friars extended their lead with another goal to push the score to 3-0.
Third Period
The Sun Devils started the final frame with 29 seconds left on the power play but were unable to convert. Nearly five minutes into the period, Bennett Schimek executed a breakout through the neutral zone and headed net-front. Ryan Kirwan scored on the rebounded shot by Schimek to save ASU from its first road shutout since Jan. 21, 2021 at then-No. 4 Minnesota.
With 2:48 left in regulation and the score held at 3-1 in favor of Providence, Powers pulled Gibson Homer in exchange for an extra skater. After a miscommunication at the Friars blue line, Providence tallied its fourth goal.
UP NEXT
ASU returns to Schneider Arena looking for the series split against No. 14 Providence in a matinee game featuring a 4 p.m. local and 1 p.m. AZT puck drop on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Paige Shacklett
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