(Tempe, AZ) The No. 6 Arizona State ice hockey team (16-10-1, 11-6-0 NCHC) battled back twice against the reigning national champions No. 6 Denver to push Friday’s game to overtime. Despite the Sun Devils relentless chase of the Pioneers, ASU ultimately fell, 5-4, in the final moments of overtime in front of a sold out crowd.
The overtime game gave ASU one conference point while DU received two for the overtime win. ASU boasts 35 total conference points, two shy of the lead held by Western Michigan.
The Sun Devils were down 3-1 halfway through the game before an offensive push with goals by Ty Jackson and Lukas Sillinger that brought November’s rematch within one score. Early in the third period, DU retook the lead, 4-3, before Bennett Schimektallied the game-tying goal with only 48 seconds remaining in regulation.
Luke Pavicich made his 16th start of the season and tallied 29 saves, the most he’s had to make in the past four appearances. His record moved to 10-6-0 and it’s his first loss since the second game against North Dakota on Jan. 11, 2025.
GAME NOTABLES
Cullen Potter tallied his first career two-assist night at the NCAA level
Lukas Sillinger extended his point scoring streak to four games (2G, 4A)
Lucius netted his first goal at home and his second in as many games after tallying his first in maroon and gold at Miami last Saturday night
Noah Beck competed in his 150th NCAA game in a career split between four years and 123 games at Clarkson and one season and 27 games at ASU
Fifth-straight sellout at Mullett Arena dating back to Jan. 4, 2025 and including the series against No. 19 Colorado College and No. 14 North Dakota and the Desert Hockey Classic championship tilt versus No. 16 Cornell.
PERIOD BREAKDOWN
First Period
Just 17 seconds into the opening period, the Sun Devils had a man advantage on an interference penalty. Less than 30 seconds into the power play, ASU capitalized on a perfect cross-ice feed by Cullen Potter to Cruz Lucius who found the back of the net on a one-timer. Lucius netted his second goal of the season with the Sun Devils to take the early 1-0 lead. Seven minutes into the period, ASU’s 10th-ranked penalty kill unit was called into action with back-to-back penalties less than a minute apart. Facing a 5-on-3 for 67 seconds, fans at Mullett Arena erupted as the Sun Devils held off the assault. After killing off another minor penalty, DU equalized to send each side to the locker room on level terms.
Second Period
Shortly into the period the Sun Devils lost possession in their own end and the Pioneers pounced on the costly mistake to take the lead. Minutes later DU found themselves with the same opportunity, and unyielding, the Pioneers extended their lead to two goals. ASU cut into DU’s 3-1 lead, following Potter’s slapshot from the top of the key and Ty Jackson taking advantage of the mad scramble in front of the net. Three minutes later, and through traffic, Lukas Sillinger found the back of the net and tied the game. The Sun Devils headed into the third period tied 3-3.
Third Period
After six minutes of action, the Pioneers retook the lead on a breakaway opportunity to make it 4-3. With 7:35 in the third period, the Sun Devils returned to the power play looking to knot the game up, but couldn’t capitalize. In the dying moments, Bennett Schimek sent the crowd into a frenzy after equalizing the game 4-4. The Sun Devils headed into overtime with a man advantage looking to complete the comeback.
Overtime
Arizona State finished the night one-for-three on the power play, including a man advantage in overtime. With 43 seconds left, Denver found the back of the net and secured the win in Overtime.
QUOTES
Head Coach Greg Powers
Opening Statement
“They were really good tonight. I thought that was a hell of an effort by them. They were fast. They were heavy on sticks, relentless pressure all over the ice and we didn’t manage pucks well enough to get the win. I love our resiliency. To go down 3-1 against those guys, fight back and get a big goal to force overtime says a lot about our guys. I know we’ll be a lot better tomorrow.”
On the power play unit tonight
“Great job killing the 5 on 3 early. That was really good, but we allowed their power play to get some momentum… we were a little bit nervous to start that game. It was an electric atmosphere and you can’t give them chances. Even though we killed the penalties, it put us on our heels and gassed our guys a little bit.”
On fighting back to take a point
“Our guys swung back and did a great job of getting us back into the game with the skill and the depth we have offensively. We went with a veteran-laden 6-on-5 unit, they missed a couple of clears and our guys made them pay.”
UP NEXT
ASU looks for the series split with No. 6 Denver on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Mullett Arena. Puck drop is set.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Paige Shacklett
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