There’s something about Mullett Arena, ranked opponents, and overtime thrillers with the No. 13 Arizona State Sun Devils (10-2-1). Last season it was Minnesota, and this year it’s Merrimack and Denver. On Friday evening, it took overtime theatrics once again as senior forward Dylan Jackson scored to take down the No. 9 Providence Friars (8-3-3) 4-3.
The Sun Devils have only lost one game at home this season. Mullett Arena has been one of the hardest places to play with the Sun Devils winning games against ranked opponents like Merrimack, Denver, and Providence.
“It’s a tough place for teams to come in and play,” head coach Greg Powers said. “We wanted to create an incredible home ice advantage and atmosphere and make this a hockey school. We’re well on our way to it. With nights like tonight, we are getting there.”
However, despite the fantastic thriller ending the game, it wasn’t the best complete game for the Sun Devils. The power play struggled, going 0 for 7 and what was even stranger was that the top power play unit ended up as minuses in the plus/minus category.
Dylan thought the power play looked good mostly but admitted they’d be watching some film to find ways to put what was once one of the best special teams in the league back on track.
“I thought we had some good looks, Kopperud hit the post a couple of times,” Dylan said. “It’s not always gonna go in on the power play. We’re going to watch some video and see if we can figure some plays out here but try not to get frustrated with it and just keep on going.”
The Sun Devils started the scoring in the later half of the first period. Senior forward Alex Young had been held off the score sheet since the series against Miami. After entering the Friars’ zone, he ripped a perfect shot and went in the net, putting the Sun Devils up 1-0.
Young had spent his whole collegiate career with Colgate up until this season. He’s struggled to find his way to score as a Sun Devil. Recently, he’s been switching up the way he plays, and tonight, it worked in his favor.
“Something I did differently was really take shots at any time we got the chance and you saw my first goal, I just kind of took a shot from far out with the defenseman screening and it happened to find a way in,” Young said. “It’s about getting pucks on net and trying to get a lucky one and get the confidence back. I think that’s what happened tonight. Last Sunday, I had a good game and had my confidence going again.”
Shortly after, the Friars showed why they’re ranked at nine. On the power play, sophomore defenseman Austen May slapped the puck past junior goaltender TJ Semptimphelter to tie the game. Minutes later, freshman forward Hudson Malinoski capitalized on a poor defensive lapse by the Sun Devils and scored the go-ahead goal for the Friars.
It only took two minutes for the home team to respond. On an odd-man rush, Young scored his second of the game to knot it at two. Powers knows he’s a highly talented guy and made sure to never lose confidence throughout his scoring drought. In the end, Young had a fantastic night, and his team couldn’t be happier.
“We believe in him and we’re going to keep going with him,” Powers said. “We brought him here for games like tonight and we knew he would deliver and he did. We’re happy for him because he was really struggling with not producing and for him to to pull through in the biggest moment yet this season is huge for his confidence and for the team. We’re really proud of them.”
The Friars didn’t go away, and after killing a penalty, the momentum swung in the favor of the away team. Sophomore forward Brady Berard passed sophomore defenseman Austen May who found freshman forward Graham Gamache alone in front of the net. Gamache easily put the puck in and put the Friars ahead.
However, the Sun Devils like they’ve done all season found a way to stay in the game. Senior forward Matthew Kopperud slid a pass over to a falling graduate forward Tyler Gratton who sank the puck in the back of the net. Tied once again.
Despite things not looking the Sun Devils’ way towards the end of the third after Kopperud collapsed to the ice after taking a massive hit, they forced OT.
The momentum continued favoring the Friars as Semptimphelter had to make some big saves. However, after a delayed call, Dylan stole the puck and broke away from the Friars’ defense to shoot the puck on a backhanded shot into the net to send Mullett Arena into a frenzy once again.
The Sun Devils will have a day off before they play the Friars on Sunday afternoon. Powers doesn’t know if he’ll change up the lines for game two with graduate defenseman Brandon Tabakin still injured.
“That’s an advantage we have,” Powers said. “We really enjoyed last Saturday and we’ve taken a log off the fire so to speak. We really evaluated what we wanted to change and tweak so we’ll see. Tabby (Tabakin) we know won’t be in. We don’t know if we’ll do a six D and an extra forward or seven D. We’re gonna look at the film and we’ll make that decision tomorrow.”
Even with question marks around the lines for Sunday, the Sun Devils have extended their winning streak to three. They’ll host the Friars for game two on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. MST.
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