(Tempe, AZ) The No. 16 Arizona State ice hockey team (11-7-1, 6-3-0 NCHC) started the weekend strong with a gritty 4-1 victory over No. 14 North Dakota (11-8-1, 6-3-0 NCHC) at Mullett Arena on Friday night. ASU continued its hot streak with a new program record of eight consecutive wins in a row.
“Kudos to our fans. I thought our fans were unbelievable. The students were unbelievable. 942 crew, we need you back here tomorrow, you guys were amazing tonight,” said head coach Greg Powers. “Our fans were amazing. To the fans that did not sell their tickets, thank you. We urge you not to sell tomorrow’s, and we will give you just as good hockey.”
Gibson Homer remained firm between the pipes following a shutout performance of fellow top-20 foe, No. 16 Cornell in the Desert Hockey Classic last weekend. Homer finished with a 96.4% save percentage tallying 27 saves and earning himself the First Star of the Game. Homer and company handed the Fighting Hawks their first road loss of NCHC play this season.
Homer played across from his former tandem tendie, T.J. Semptimphelter suited in UND Green and white. Semptimphelter played 62 games for the Sun Devils before Homer took over down the stretch. On Friday night, Semptimphelter made 27 saves and had four goals against.
The win helped the Sun Devils jump the Fighting Hawks in the NCHC standings moving into second place with 18 points to North Dakota’s 17. ASU now stands at No. 13 in the PairWise rankings compared to UND’s 22-spot.
Bennett Schimek and Noah Beck continue to lead the team in points with 19 each. Beck and Anthony Dowdlead the team in plus/minus with +10 through 19 games. Schimek has five points in the last three games with an assist on Friday night.
PERIOD BREAKDOWN
First Period
After eight minutes of nonstop action, Bennett Schimek carried the puck behind the net before finding Cullen Potter who opened the scoring 1-0. Cruz Lucius secured his first point as a Sun Devil in his debut.
Defenseman Brasen Boser then scored his first career goal on a wrist shot from the point with 1:16 left to play in the period. The goal was assisted by forwards Kyle Smolen and Lukas Sillinger.
Second Period
North Dakota cut into the lead to make it 2-1 in the final minute of a chippy second period. Homer limited the damage providing 13 saves and two penalty kills for the Sun Devils.
Third Period
Artem Shlaine got ASU back on track with a breakaway goal in the first five minutes of the final frame to make it 3-1. Ryan Kirwan was credited with the assist.
The Sun Devils capped off the 4-1 victory with Smolen capitalizing on a power play opportunity assisted by Noah Beck and Sillinger.
QUOTES
Head coach Greg Powers
On the overall feel of the game:
“I thought we were really good. I thought we played a really solid 60 minutes and everybody was going, everybody was competing. That’s a hell of a team and I love the way our entire defensive core played tonight. I thought they defended really well and kept things simple and were just really direct with how they played. When we play that way, we’re tough to beat.”
On Gibson Homer’s performance:
“He was tremendous. He was fantastic. You could tell he was dialed right away. When he plays big and aggressive and calm he’s as good as it gets.”
On the second line with Potter, Lucius, and Schimek:
“They’re incredible. Those are three elite players that haven’t played together very much. Cruz (Lucius) just started practicing really a week ago and it doesn’t take a hockey novice to see how good he is, and he’s not even close to 100% from his conditioning and all that stuff, but he makes the plays. He’s a hell of a player and Potter was great tonight, obviously Schimek was great. I thought everybody played really well.”
On the atmosphere in Mullett:
“Atmosphere was incredible. Kudos to their fans for all coming down. We really wanted to get out to a lead and preserve it and build on it so we could keep them out of the game. I think we did that. Kudos to our fans. I thought our fans were unbelievable. The students were unbelievable. 942 crew, we need you back here tomorrow, you guys were amazing tonight. Our fans were amazing. To the fans that did not sell their tickets, thank you. We urge you not to sell tomorrow’s, and we will give you just as good hockey.”
Junior Forward Cruz Lucius:
On how he feels playing through injury:
“There’s nothing like adrenaline, that helped a lot. I would say the first few shifts I was a little tired but just tried to keep them short and sweet. I felt pretty good.”
On how it’s been playing at ASU compared to Wisconsin:
“A lot better. The students section for one is unbelievable. They’re so loud which is such an important thing for our bench and in Wisconsin it’s so big it felt like no one was really there. It was fun but there is nowhere like this place with the fans cheering and everyone yelling. It is definitely a special place to be.”
On playing alongside goalies Gibson Homer and Luke Pavicich:
“The most important thing is trust. You’re gonna make mistakes. To have somebody in the backer that you believe in, like today, I didn’t make a great play, but I knew Homer was gonna save it. That’s all it is and it’s a good feeling.”
Graduate forward Artem Shlaine:
On how well the team executed in tonight’s game and what how gameplay looks moving forward:
“Coach always preaches that we play our own. They do their thing and we do ours better so that’s our motto and how this winning streak has been. We’re not done yet with tomorrow still to look toward to. Team’ps speed, they’re a heavy team so we got to take advantage of their defensive speed and have fun with it.”
On team composure during heated moments:
“We’re just maturing in the process of the season. If it was an earlier game in the season…we would go at each other and get coincidental penalties which would be four on four and lines getting broken up. Guys aren’t getting the time they need on the ice. It’s a big thing for us to keep our composure….Don’t get into what they’re saying or what they’re doing. Focus on ourselves and good results will happen from it.”
On playing with switching goalies:
“I don’t think I’ve ever been on a team where goalies would split games and get in there like everyone. Everyone’s interested in being a starter. But here, what’s good for us is it doesn’t matter who’s going in the net. We’re playing in front of both of them.”
UP NEXT
The Sun Devils will look to extend their winning streak with the series sweep over the Fighting Hawks on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. MST. The game will stream on Fox 10 Xtra and NCHC.tv and hit the airwaves on FoxSports910.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Matt Finders, Lauren Nunez, Alyssa Muccillo
Click on Logo
