(Omaha, NE) The No. 12 Arizona State ice hockey team (19-13-2, 14-9-1 NCHC) continue to hold second place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference standings despite splitting the regular season finale at Omaha. After a crucial ASU goal was overturned late in the third period, Omaha won 4-2 on Saturday night at Baxter Arena.
Ryan Kirwan was the sole scorer for the Sun Devils with two power play goals. Kirwan took sole possession as the NCHC’s top goal scorer with 23 on the season.
ASU is scheduled to have a bye during the final weekend of the regular season, March 7-8. The Sun Devils finish the regular season with 19 wins overall and continue to hold second place in the NCHC. ASU needs North Dakota to take at least a point from Omaha in their regular season matchup next weekend at Ralph Engelstad Arena to clinch a second place finish officially.
Regardless, the Sun Devils have secured a top-four finish and will host the best-of-three NCHC playoffs quarterfinal series on March 14-16 at Mullett Arena.
GAME NOTABLES
- Ryan Kirwan tallied his sixth and seventh power play goals to take the team lead for PPG this season. Kirwan boasts two games with two PPG scored – the last time he tallied the feat was at Miami on Jan. 31, 2025
- Noah Beck notched his fifth multi-assist game of the season with apples on both of Kirwan’s power play goals
- ASU outshot Omaha, 42-33, through 60 minutes of play
GAME BREAKDOWN
Omaha came out hot, scoring the first goal of the night before reaching even the first minute of play. ASU’s Brasen Boser went to the box after a holding call at the seven-minute mark of play. With 44 seconds left on the kill, Omaha was assessed a tripping penalty, giving ASU a minute and change of power play, but neither team could capitalize. Down 1-0, the Sun Devils got one more chance at the man-advantage with five minutes left in the first period. Ryan Kirwan called the tie game with a far side shot from the circle with assists by Artem Shlaine and Noah Beck. For the second straight, the first period ended in a 1-1 tie
The Sun Devils started the second frame with over 90 seconds left on a penalty kill from a late call at the end of the opening period and ASU remained perfect on the PK. Two minutes later, ASU got its third chance on the power play and of course, Ryan Kirwan once again answered the call, this time to take the 2-1 lead with assists from Noah Beck and Lukas Sillinger.
Through two periods ASU led the shot chart, throwing 30 on net in 40 minutes compared to Omaha’s 16. The Sun Devils capitalized on the power play and held Omaha scoreless through two power play chances in the second period.
The penalty kill unit played significant time in Saturday’s match as the Sun Devils were forced to kill the fourth Maverick power play just over a minute into the third period. With 13 minutes left in regulation, a defensive lapse allowed two Maverick goals within 30 seconds, giving Omaha its first lead of the game, 3-2.
ASU had trouble staying out of the box and in a moment when an offensive push was needed, the Sun Devils ended up on their fifth kill of the night with eight minutes remaining in regulation. The kill stood strong, fighting through a total of 10 penalty minutes in the game.
With four minutes left on the clock, ASU drew a tripping penalty to bring out its top-performing power play unit. The Sun Devils couldn’t capitalize and with two minutes left, pulled goaltender Gibson Homer in exchange for the extra skater.
Lukas Sillinger scored with 90 seconds left in regulation but Omaha challenged the goal, won the review, and the call on the ice was overturned. Omaha eventually scored on the empty net for the final score, 4-2.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Paige Shacklett
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