(Tempe, AZ) Sun Devil Hockey fell in their series opener to Miami (OH), 2-1 in overtime Friday night at Mullett Arena.
Sophomore defenseman Sam Court scored the lone goal for ASU – which was his first of the season– to tie the game late in the third period with 2:52 remaining in regulation, eventually forcing overtime. However, Miami (12-7-2, 3-6-2 NCHC) put the game-winning goal in the net 67 seconds into overtime.
Sophomore forward Cullen Potter had his program-record tying five-game goal streak snapped, but he extended his point streak to six games with an assist on Court’s goal. Potter has tallied 12 points in his last six games.
On the defensive side, the backline was perfect on the penalty kill, going 4-for-4 and alternate captain Brasen Boser had a game-high four blocks on the night.
Arizona State (11-11-1, 4-6-1 NCHC) will aim to bounce back tomorrow against Miami with puck drop scheduled for 5 p.m. MST on NCHC.TV with radio coverage on Fox Sports Phoenix 910AM.
Period-by-Period Breakdown
First Period:
The Sun Devils had three opportunities on the power play and managed to outshoot the RedHawks 14-4 in the opening period. ASU was unable to net the first goal of the game as both teams went into the intermission, tied 0-0.
Second Period:
Miami scored their first goal with 4:03 in the middle period in a scramble in front of ASU’s net to take a 1-0 lead and maintained its one goal lead at the intermission.
Third Period:
The Sun Devils found their way onto the score sheet with a slapshot from Sam Court for his first goal of the season. Court’s goal came with less than three minutes left to tie the game at one a piece.
Overtime:
Just a minute into the overtime frame, the RedHawks score and pull off a 2-1 victory.
QUOTABLES:
Arizona State Head Coach Greg Powers:
Opening Statement:
“We had our chances, we felt like we controlled the game, possession, chances, everything. We had a lid on the net tonight, and it just wasn’t going our way offensively. Their goalie played really well, we missed the net on a couple of breakaways, we hit some posts. It was one of those games where we couldn’t find a way to execute on offense and the power play really struggled.”
On the top line’s performance and how important it was for the other three lines step up:
“I think our top line was a little off tonight, they just didn’t execute to the level that we’d seen from them in the last month, that’s going to happen. Other guys got to step up, Sam Courtstepped up, he pounded one in and got a big goal for us to get it to overtime. But the other forwards have to step up, and tonight they did not.”
On the team’s kill and power play performances:
“I thought the kill was really good, special teams-wise from that standpoint, but the power play was about as bad as it’s been all year.”
On what needs to happen in tomorrow’s rematch:
“We just have to wash this one. We know we can be better. I don’t think we were bad tonight by any means. It’s hockey, that’s why it’s a great game, the great equalizer is goaltending and they’re a good team, they’re opportunistic tonight and they’ll be better. I thought they were pretty flat tonight too, and they’ll be way better than they were tomorrow than they were tonight.”
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Casey Moser
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