(Tempe, AZ) The No. 11 Arizona State ice hockey team (14-8-1, 9-4-0 NCHC) took revenge in dominant fashion with a 4-1 victory over No. 19 Colorado College (11-11-1, 5-7-1 NCHC) to continue its hold on the number one spot in NCHC standings. After dropping their first two matchups against the Tigers on the road in the opening weekend of NCHC play, the Sun Devils bounced back with a well-rounded 200-foot game on Friday at Mullett Arena.
ASU’s four goals came from four different skaters up and down Friday night’s lineup. Cole Gordon, ASU’s fourth line center, opened the goal-scoring with a backhand at the crease. Within the next eight minutes, ASU scored two more times: first shorthanded by captain Ethan Szmagaj, listed as ASU’s extra defenseman, followed by third line winger Dylan Jackson, in his first game back from injury. Second line center Kyle Smolen added the insurance in the third period with ASU’s fourth goal of the game.
“Every guy we can count on. So if you’re in the lineup, if you’re not in the lineup, third line, first line, it doesn’t matter. Everybody’s ready to go and we proved that tonight,” said captain and senior defenseman Ethan Szmagaj.
Luke Pavicich made his 13th start in the maroon and gold, collecting another win to improve to 8-5-0 on the season. Pavicich made 24 saves against the Tigers and allowed only one goal for a .960 save percentage.
Special teams proved to be the difference maker on both ends of the ice. ASU shut down CC on the penalty kill, posting four stops including the shortie by Szmagaj. The Sun Devils also capitalized on their power play going 1-for-2 against the Tigers who previously held a top-10 penalty kill unit in the nation.
PERIOD BREAKDOWN
First Period
Defense and goaltending ruled the opening frame, as both teams’ offenses were held scoreless. Sun Devil goaltender Luke Pavicich made some crucial saves to prevent the Tigers from landing on the board first. Late in the period, CC forward Gavin Lindberg was called for slashing, giving ASU a power play that it carried into the second period. The Sun Devils had most of the scoring chances, outshooting the Tigers 8-4.
Second Period
The Sun Devils started the second period with 1:43 left on the power play. Despite getting some good chances, ASU was unable to capitalize and the stalemate continued. A few minutes later, ASU went to the penalty kill for having too many men on the ice. The kill unit proved strong and the game remained locked at zero. Just over halfway through the period, the Sun Devils broke through with a goal from forward Cole Gordon. It was Gordon’s second of the year and was assisted by Sam Court and Ryan Alexander. ASU again found itself on the penalty kill after Court was called for slashing. Being a man down didn’t faze the Sun Devils, as captain and senior defenseman Ethan Szmagaj netted a shorthanded goal from Bennett Schimek and Artem Shlaine to double the lead. It was Szmagaj’s first tally of the season and first career shortie. The Sun Devils’ dominant play continued, and with just 6.5 seconds left before intermission, forward Dylan Jackson found the back of the net for his sixth goal this season to make it a 3-0 game. Assists on the goal came from Ty Jackson and Joel Kjellberg. Pavicich continued to protect his fort, stopping all eleven shots from the Tigers in the period.
Third Period
ASU forward Lukas Sillinger was called for tripping early in the final frame which put the Sun Devils on the penalty kill. Late in the Tigers power play, defenseman Ty Gallagher landed in the penalty box for hooking. After Arizona State began its own power play, forward Kyle Smolen extended the lead to four with his seventh goal of the season. Assists on the goal came from Shlaine and Ryan Kirwan. The score would remain 4-0 until Colorado College forward Owen Beckner got the Tigers on the scoresheet. ASU forward Charlie Schoen was called for cross checking late in the game, but nothing would come of it as the Sun Devils claimed a 4-1 victory.
UP NEXT
The Sun Devils will look to complete the home sweep of the Tigers tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. MST. The game can be seen on Fox 10.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Paige Shacklett
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