TEMPE – By now, fans should expect the unexpected at Mullett Arena. Arizona State hockey (3-5-1) delivered a three-goal comeback against No. 20 Colorado College (5-3-1), ultimately ending in a tie on Friday night.
The beginning of the game was not in the Maroon and Gold’s favor: They let in three unanswered goals within the first 20 minutes of play.
“As embarrassed as I was about our effort in the first, I’m even more proud of how we came back and found a way to get two points tonight,” ASU coach Greg Powers said. “Really proud, really, really proud of the guys.”
Outshot 18-9 in the first, the Sun Devils regrouped with a fresh sheet of ice for the second period. Midway through period number two, Tigers sophomore defenseman Fisher Scott took a holding penalty. ASU senior forwards Bennett Schimek and Cruz Lucius set up freshman forward Jack Beck, leaving him a wide-open net for his second goal of the season, and his first at Mullett Arena.
“After sitting out the first six, it was definitely tough watching in the crowd,” Beck said. “It’s nice to finally see how much the student section embraces it, and they love it.”
Minutes later, Arizona State’s man advantage struck again. Lucius netted his team-best eighth goal of the season, going top shelf from the right-wing faceoff circle.
The chemistry between the trio of Beck, Cruz and Schimek was on full display, as they connected on nearly every goal for the Maroon and Gold. Their ability to read each other’s movements, especially on the power play, was a crucial turning point in a one-goal game.
“They’re best friends, they’ve been best friends since childhood,” Powers said of Schimek and Cruz, who grew up playing together in Minnesota. “They have unbelievable chemistry together. They’re a lot of fun to have on our team.”
With hope heading into the third, Sun Devil freshman goalie Samuel Urban stood on his head, and the Sun Devils managed to kill off two penalties.
“I try to stay positive and make the big saves,” Urban said. “Like the 2-on-1, it kind of brought me back to the game.”
Urban finished the night with 34 saves, several of them coming in high-pressure moments late in regulation and overtime. His presence between the pipes gave ASU the boost it needed to stay in the fight.
“He’s got a very bright future. I think people saw tonight why we’ve been so excited about him for a couple of years,” Powers said.
With just over a minute remaining in regulation, Powers pulled Urban for the extra skater and Schimek struck with 1:09 left, sending the Sun Devils into overtime.
Despite several strong looks in overtime, including a few draws won in the offensive zone, ASU couldn’t find the game-winner.
Beck and Lucuis scored in the shootout, leading to a fired-up Mullett Arena heading into tomorrow’s rematch.
“We’ve got to put 60 minutes together,” Powers said. “We’ve got to have a good start, and we’ve got to have just as good of a finish.”
After a sluggish start, the Sun Devils proved they can battle with ranked opponents and, more importantly, that they aren’t giving up.
Arizona State will look to carry its momentum into Saturday’s rematch, as it aims to get its second NCHC win.
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