(Tempe, AZ) Sun Devil Hockey picked up its second-consecutive overtime victory when senior forward Cruz Lucius found the back of the net with 3:47 remaining in overtime to give Arizona State a 3-2 win over Ohio State in Mullett Arena on Friday night.
The Sun Devils’ (6-8-1, 3-4-1 NCHC) late-game rally was sparked by former Buckeye Noah Powell. The sophomore forward flew down the right side of the ice – after a stretch feed from Brasen Boser – and ripped a shot past the Ohio State (5-8-0, 1-5-0 Big Ten) goaltender to knot things up at 2-2 with eight minutes left in regulation.
The Buckeyes generated the first few chances in overtime, but senior goalkeeper Connor Hasley remained as sharp as ever to keep things leveled.
After a huge save from Hasley, senior forward Bennett Schimek connected with sophomore forward Cullen Potter to start an eventual two-on-none breakaway rush. Potter and Lucius traded passes prior to Lucius burying the game winner into the wide open cage.
The trio of Lucius (1G, 1A), Potter (1G, 1A) and Schimek (2A) tallied six points combined, including one point apiece on the game winner to complete the ASU comeback and secure the win.
Period breakdown
First period
Ohio State struck first by taking a 1-0 lead with 15:00 remaining in the opening period. The Buckeyes were later called for hooking to give the Sun Devils their first power play opportunity. Potter cashed in on the man advantage with his fourth goal of the season to tie the game at one. Schimek and Lucius were credited for the assists on Potter’s second PPG of the season. The game remained tied at one entering the first intermission.
Second period
Ohio State managed to take a 2-1 lead after an even-strength goal with 7:39 left in the period. The Sun Devils were put on the power play for the third time of the night, but were unable to net the equalizer on special teams. ASU managed multiple shots on net in the waning moments of the frame but went into the intermission down one goal.
Third period
The Sun Devils managed to neutralize two Buckeye power plays halfway through the period, ultimately keeping the one-goal deficit. ASU was put on its own power play with nine minutes in regulation but couldn’t convert. However, Powell slotted his second goal of the season to tie the game at two with 7:03 in regulation. Boser and Hasley were credited with the assists on the equalizer as play then headed into OT, knotted up at 2-2.
Overtime
Less than two minutes in, Potter and Lucius had a rare two-on-none opportunity, where Lucius buried his second game-winning goal of the year for the Sun Devils to take the win.
Quotables
Arizona State Head Coach Greg Powers
On tonight’s win
“It was a gritty, gutty win for us. I felt like we deserved it. We did a lot of really good things tonight, we just couldn’t seem to find the back of the net. It felt like one of those games where we’re doing a lot of things right, getting a lot of really good grade As, getting a lot of good looks. Their goalie made some big saves, and we missed some tap-ins, but we found a way. It was a nice blue-collar goal by Noah Powell to tie it up. Then Hasley had the big save there in overtime, and we got the big one.”
On the physicality matchup
“We were physically really good. We had some big hits in the forecheck. Tucker brought a really good physical presence for us in the back end. That Morrell line was physical, and they were committed to getting pucks in behind them and hunting pucks. Noah Powell had some big hits, Logan Morrell had some big hits, and Sam Alfano had some big hits. The identity guys that we need to continue to play with that identity did a really good job for us tonight.”
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Danny Sullivan
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