(Tempe, AZ) The No. 12 Arizona State ice hockey team (18-12-2, 13-8-1 NCHC) fell 4-3 in an overtime heartbreaker to No. 3 Western Michigan (23-6-1, 16-3-1 NCHC) on Saturday night at Mullett Arena. ASU had a chance at completing the sweep, but WMU managed to steal the series split after tying the game in the third and scoring the game-winner in overtime.
The overtime loss gave ASU one conference point while WMU received two for the overtime win. The Sun Devils took four of the possible six conference points up for grabs on the weekend. ASU boasts 44 total conference points which is three behind WMU for the top spot.
Cullen Potter notched two goals on the night, both of which gave ASU the lead in the second and third periods. With his first tally of the game, Potter became the fifth Sun Devil to reach double-digits in goals for this season.
Luke Pavicich followed up his season-high 39 save performance in the first game of the series by stopping 37 WMU shots. It was the second-most saves he has made in a single game this season.
PERIOD BREAKDOWN
First Period
The Sun Devils got the party started early as Kyle Smolen deflected an Anthony Dowd shot into the net at the 4:54 mark. After breaking the ice, ASU continued to control the period with physicality and scoring chances. WMU’s Samuel Sjolund was called for tripping at the 12:15 mark, but ASU was unable to convert on the power play. Luke Pavicich made some crucial saves to preserve the lead, and ASU took a 1-0 advantage into the middle frame.
Second Period
Zach Nehring scored in the beginning of the period to tie the score for WMU. Shortly after, WMU received a power play when Ty Jackson was called for slashing. ASU caught a break on the penalty kill when a Liam Valente shot rang off the post. While on the same power play, Valente was assessed with a slashing penalty. Both teams proceeded to get prime scoring chances, but the goaltenders stood tall. At 9:06 of the period, Cullen Potter created magic as he evaded a defender and pinpointed a wrist shot to put ASU back in front. The score remained 2-1 for the rest of the period and ASU headed into the third with the lead.
Third Period
The final frame started with four-on-four action after Ty Murchison and Iiro Hakkarainen were called for roughing at the end of the second. WMU took advantage of the open ice as Zack Sharp tied the game early in the period. Soon after however, ASU’s magic man delivered once more. Cullen Potter double-dipped for his second goal of the contest to give ASU a 3-2 lead. Down by one, WMU heavily peppered Luke Pavicichand at the 12:59 mark, Liam Valente leveled the score at three. ASU went on a power play after Zack Sharp was called for roughing, but couldn’t capitalize despite some good looks. WMU then got a power play of its own when Cruz Lucius was called for slashing. ASU’s penalty kill came through, and after the clock hit zero a winner was not decided as the game headed for overtime.
Overtime
Both teams traded great chances to start overtime. At the 2:49 mark, Iiro Hakkarainen scored on a breakaway to win the game for WMU.
