ACHA Hockey: Arizona State sweeps Minot State in two-game series

(Photo: Niall Cooper/WCSN)

The ASU winning streak is now at seven games after the team’s 3-2 victory over No. 1 ranked Minot State Beavers.

“We’re just really happy,” ASU Forward Michael Cummings said. “We know we can be the best team in the nation, that we absolutely have a chance to go to Nationals.”

The first period saw all three of ASU’s goals for the evening, with every one of them coming on the man advantage.

Wilson Housley, Michael Cummings and Austin Snedden all scored goals for the Sun Devils in the win.

“The first night, Minot was super aggressive and I think they backed off a little bit [tonight],” ASU Forward Ryan Ostertag said. “We were just able to capitalize on some rebounds.”

ASU starting goaltender Lucas Felbel was nothing short of brilliant in net, stopping 37 of 39 shots from Minot State.

“He’s not in that game, we don’t win,” Ostertag said. “He’s the best player on our team all night and it shows a lot about him too for responding. He’s our backbone. Him and [Jordan] Gluck have been playing so well all year and they give us a chance to win eery single night.”

The Beavers responded in force in the second period, outshooting ASU 10-1 about nine minutes into the frame and 21-3 overall as the team’s headed for the locker rooms.

“It was embarrassing, honestly, and we just need[ed] to get back in there and refocus and get that period out of our heads,” Cummings said.

Minot State scored twice during the middle period, cutting ASU’s lead to just one goal.

Ostertag noted the character of the team when times became difficult for the Sun Devils.

“Going through adversity like that, we’ve had a couple in our past two weekends that we’ve faced a lot and we’ve responded,” Ostertag said. “Came out victorious so you can’t really complain about that.”

The third period was tightly contested as ASU and Minot State went toe-to-toe.

“We knew we had to go out and win a period,” Cummings said. “We knew it was going to be a battle.”

However, when the horn sounded and the clock read 0:00, ASU came out on the ice and celebrated around Felbel.

“That’s definitely the moments you play hockey for,” Felbel said. “That’s the moments you grow up as a kid loving and keeps your passion for the game strong.”

What’s Next

ASU is off until Thursday, November 10, when the Colorado Buffaloes pay a visit to the Valley. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m.

Minot State travels back to North Dakota, wrapping up their road trip with one final game at Jamestown.

 

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