(Tempe, AZ) In the same gritty fashion that’s catapulted the Sun Devils into showstopping victories all season, the No. 12 Arizona State ice hockey muscled a 6-5 overtime win over No. 6 Denver on Saturday night. The win gave ASU the edge in the four-game home-and-home series with DU after the Sun Devils already secured the road sweep of the Pioneers at Magness Arena in November.
With 37 points in NCHC play, ASU (17-10-1, 12-6-0 NCHC) is tied in second place in conference standings with Omaha while DU (20-7-1, 9-6-1 NCHC) ranks fourth with 27 points.
Hobey Baker nominee Bennett Schimek netted the game-winning goal in overtime to complete the win. Schimek continued his hot streak this weekend, tallying two goals on Saturday night to reach seven points in the past four games.
ASU’s offensive barrage chipped away at the DU defense as the Sun Devils put up 55 shots on net, tying a high for this season. The mark is just one shy of tying the program record for most shots on net in a game.
Gibson Homer made his 12th appearance of the season and tallied 24 saves through 51 minutes. Late in the third period and after five DU goals against, Homer was replaced by Luke Pavicich. The senior made four saves through nine minutes and 38 seconds, backstopping the Sun Devils through the final moments of regulation and overtime.
PERIOD BREAKDOWN
First Period
Following the loss to DU on Friday night, ASU head coach Greg Powers wanted greater intensity from his lineup. Two minutes into the period, ASU answered the call as Joel Kjellberg’s shot from the point deflected off the pad of DU’s netminder and onto the blade of Kyle Smolen positioned in the crease. The goal was Smolen’s ninth goal of the season. The lead was short-lived as DU capitalized on a minor hooking penalty to tie the game. The game remained tied, 1-1, at the end of the first frame.
Second Period
Back on the ice, assistant captain Lukas Sillinger scored swiftly on a breakaway to give the Sun Devils a 2-1 lead two minutes into the second period. The Pioneers returned to the power play going two-for-two to begin the period while equaling the score once again. After two ASU power plays, DU got its first lead of the game, 3-2. After drawing a late penalty in the period, DU once again returned to the man-advantage. Sun Devil goaltender Gibson Homer’s heroics on the penalty kill stifled DU. The Sun Devils finished the period with over 90 seconds left on the man advantage.
Third Period
Looking to break the tie, ASU came onto the ice scorching as Ryan Kirwan scored a fast wrister top shelf. The equalizer was Kiriwan’s 19th goal of the season. The Sun Devils’ momentum was cut short. DU found the top of the net, retaking the lead 4-3. The Pioneers found the net yet again to increase their lead, 5-3. 70 seconds later, ASU cut into the deficit to get back within one. It was Sillingers second of the night in as many as three goals in his last four games. Following a no-call from the referees on Bennett Schimek’sstick, the call was overturned. Giving Schimek the game tying goal and sending Mullet Arena into a frenzy. ASU headed into overtime for the second consecutive night against DU.
Overtime
The Sun Devils flipped last night’s overtime script, with ASU heading into overtime for the second consecutive outing. Racing down the middle of the ice and deking his way past two defenders fired one into the back of the net, as the Sun Devils completed the comeback in overtime winning 6-5.
QUOTES
Head coach Greg Powers
Opening Statement
“It was just that kind of way all weekend and we responded every time tonight. We played much better than we did last night. The result was deserving and we fought to win this game. Credit to them, they were opportunistic and made the most of their opportunities. We peppered the crap out of their goalie, but our guys found the way.”
On winning in overtime
“You could just sense the hunger on the bench and the belief. Like I said last night, a lot of our overtime is not like we haven’t had our chances, we just haven’t buried them. We challenged our guys coming into this game. We needed a big save or we needed somebody to step up and bury it. Tonight Schimek made a fantastic play down the middle of the ice and buried it.”
On the team having the hunger to win the NCHC
“We’re only a couple of points behind Western Michigan and they have games in hand. But from the start of the year, our goal was to host a playoff series to now winning our league. Our guys want to win the NCHC and believe we can, we’re good enough to compete with the best of the best on any given night. We’ve played such a tough schedule this year. When we play the right way and together nobody can beat us.”
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Paige Shacklett
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