ASU D2 Hockey: Sun Devils survive late comeback by NAU

 (Photo:Alexis Ramanjulu/WCSN)

In the fifth of seven match ups between in-state rivals Northern Arizona and Arizona State, the Sun Devils held off a late comeback from NAU to come away with the 7-6 victory.

ASU goalie Ryan Seltenreich had posted three consecutive shutouts and he got the start again over Al Taylor. However, the IceJacks made sure that he would not get his fourth as a Kirby Carlson goal was their lone score in the first period. The powerplay goal came after a Zac Inzer penalty left ASU a man down. Seltenreich still went on to save 13 of 14 shots on goal in the period.

IceJacks netminder Anthony Caruso struggled early on, allowing three goals in the first eight minutes, but settled down to allow just one in the rest of the period.

Ryan Francis, Austin Ehrlich, Wes Starr and the captain Justin Havriliak all netted goals, with Havriliak’s coming on a tough corner shot that was a near impossible save for Caruso. When the period concluded, the Sun Devils had a lead of 4-1

For the second straight period, the Sun Devils totaled 17 shots on goal. This time, however, they only wound up with one goal, a wrist shot by Ryan McNeely, who weaved through traffic to score following an assist from Jason Kuta. The goal tied him with Kuta for the team lead at 16.

The attack for the IceJacks wasn’t as potent as it was in the first period, but they still wound up with a goal from Daniel Diaz that made it a 5-2 score.

Seltenreich, who entered the game with a .91 GAA, held the IceJacks in check otherwise.

A very non-physical period ended in a bit of a scuffle after time had expired, which resulted in Jacob Weisman picking up an unsportsmanlike conduct minor for the Sun Devils.

After scoring a quick two goals by Wes Starr and John Randall that resulted in Northern Arizona pulling goalie Anthony Caruso, the Sun Devils nearly melted down and blew a five goal lead.

A three-goal barrage headlined by Kirby Carlson’s second of the game gave the IceJacks hope, and a late goal by Dedrick Weise made a comeback look even more like a reality. Despite pulling their goalie giving them a man advantage, ASU was able to hold off NAU.

The Sun Devils’ next game will come on the road against Cal State Long Beach on Jan 29, while their next game against NAU will be on Feb 13. in Flagstaff.