(Tempe, AZ) The No. 2-seed Arizona State ice hockey team (21-13-2, 16-9-1 NCHC) defeated No. 7-seed Minnesota Duluth (13-19-4, 9-14-3 NCHC), 6-5, in an overtime thriller on Saturday night at Mullett Arena. The victory clinched the NCHC quarterfinal series sweep for ASU, and the Sun Devils advanced to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff in Saint Paul, Minn.
The game started unfavorably for the home side, as UMD surged to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Despite the deficit, ASU was unfazed. Three-straight goals by ASU tied the score in the second period. After trading more goals, neither team could seize the victory in regulation.
The Mullett Arena fans wanted an overtime hero, and they got one in the form of the leading goal-scorer in the NCHC. Ryan Kirwan’s 25th goal of the season (second in the NCAA) completed the dramatic comeback and started an epic celebration. Kirwan set a new program record for goals in a single season, surpassing Matthew Kopperud and Johnny Walker’s shared record (23).
Kirwan’s game-winner also increased his goal-scoring streak to four games. In those four games he has seven points, with five goals in addition to two assists on Saturday night.
PERIOD BREAKDOWN
First Period
After eight minutes of defensive hockey from both sides, UMD broke the ice on an ASU turnover that gave the Bulldogs a one-on-one with the goaltender to take the lead. Following the opening goal, the game opened up offensively as the Sun Devils had the next 11 straight shots on goal. Despite ASU coming close on several big chances, UMD held off the attack and countered with two more goals late in the period to push the lead to 3-0.
Second Period
Looking for a spark, the Sun Devils inserted Gibson Homer at goaltender to start the second period. This move proved to be successful as the Sun Devils came out with a vengeance. Artem Shlaine got ASU on the scoreboard to start the middle frame on a delayed penalty which breathed life back into Mullett Arena. This was soon followed by Dylan Jackson who cut the deficit to just one. With momentum firmly on its side, ASU pushed for the tying goal. Noah Beck provided the equalizer as ASU had rallied all the way back just five minutes into the second period. Soon after, ASU had a chance to surge in front after UMD was charged with a tripping penalty. The power play couldn’t capitalize though, and the Bulldogs scored back to hold a 4-3 advantage heading into the third.
Third Period
At the 9:35 mark of the third, Artem Shlaine notched his second goal of the game to level the score at four. Once again though, UMD had an answer. Dominic James made it 5-4, and ASU would have to respond. An opportunity presented itself in the form of a power play after UMD was tagged with a slashing penalty. Bennett Schimek cashed in on the power play to tie the game at five with 6:38 remaining. UMD received a power play of its own late in the period, but the ASU penalty kill came up big, sending the game to overtime.
Overtime
The Bulldogs were in control to start overtime, but six saves from Gibson Homer kept the Sun Devils alive. At the 6:08 mark, Ryan Kirwan drove through the left circle before sweeping the game-winner through the five-hole, sending Mullett Arena into a frenzy.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Greg Powers
On the response of the team after going down 3-0
“As pissed off as I was at our guys last night, I’m 100 times proud of them tonight. The resiliency and the no quit. We’re all over them, and they go up 4-3, then we tie it a 4-4. They go up 5-4, we tie it at 5-5. The resiliency by Gibson, and those goals weren’t on Pavicich. I just wanted to see if I could get the guys a little energy and make a change. Gibson went in, had the big breakaway save and he held us in it in overtime. We were flat to start overtime, and the way Gibson held us in it is incredibly admirable and we found a way.”
On the meaning of this victory to the Arizona hockey community
“It means everything. I live in the hockey community, my whole family does. We’re up at the Ice Den and a big part of the Junior Coyotes program. I’m close with the guys here with the Junior Sun Devils. It’s an unbelievable hockey community here and to lose the NHL really sucked. It really sucked for this hockey community. It sucked for so many good people. Blood, sweat and tears in so many ways that kept the Coyotes here. So many good people that were affected, so to give that community and group of people some reprieve and to make them proud of what we’re trying to build here and give them that excitement, it means everything.”
On what makes this team special
“We started 3-7-1, and we knew we were so much better than the results we were getting. The run we’ve gone on since then is pretty special. It’s just the fight, the resiliency, the veteran leadership, all that stuff. Just the different ways we’ve had success this year has been a lot of fun.”
UP NEXT
Arizona State will play either Denver or Colorado College in the NCHC semi-final round at the Frozen Faceoff on March 21 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Paige Shacklett
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