(Photo:Allyson Cummings/WCSN)
After a quick start on Friday, the Sun Devils (14-1) were slow coming out of the gates as they faced off against the Colorado State Rams (9-5) last night but exploded in the later periods, winning 7-2.
In a chippy first period, Colorado State’s Jamison Wicks was called for two penalties, but the Sun Devils couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage. Neither team looked to be in control with both goalies having strong outings, even with multiple scoring opportunities by each side.
“They’ve got good goaltending, that’s a big reason they were hanging in there,” said ASU head coach Greg Powers
The first goal of the night was scored by defenseman Drew Newmeyer, his second of the year. A goal by Mailey was negated at 17:51 after the referees ruled it didn’t cross the line.
“We’re finally putting the puck in the net and playing the way we need to play, with the energy we need to play with,” Powers said.
With ASU in control in the second period, Eric Rivard notched two goals to add to the Sun Devils’ lead. Tommy Cooney knocked in another with a little over a minute left in the period, assisted by Jordan Young with the Sun Devils leading 4-0.
“It’s nothing really special, just working hard and making it happen,” said Rivard of his two goals.
Three and a half minutes into the 3rd, Colorado State’s Alex Steidler couldn’t get his pads down in time as Newmeyer slapped in his second score of the night and third of the season.
CSU pulled starting goalie Steidler in favor of Michael Porter after he allowed five goals. After Kory Chisholm was called for tripping, CSU took advantage of the power play by Dylan Hassell knocking in a goal on a wide-open right side.
Powers cited a “lack of focus” for the two goals, both coming on a CSU man-advantage.
Coming out of the box, Kory Chisholm went top shelf for his first goal of the year and was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after his goal celebration, flipping ice onto the Rams’ bench. It was all the Sun Devils needed to put the game away, netting a 7-2 win.
The Sun Devils are now second in the WCHL and in the nation with a road trip to Rutgers and Stony Brook up next on their schedule.
