(Photo Courtesy – Xavier Litman)
Arizona State Men’s Hockey (7-5) took its five-game winning streak across the country to visit the Clarkson Golden Knights (6-6) for a weekend series. However, the Sun Devils didn’t get the welcome they wanted, as a last-second strike for the Golden Knights handed ASU its first loss in over a month.
Junior forward Alex Campbell, who led Clarkson in scoring last season, was the difference-maker on Friday, notching both Golden Knights goals – including the game-winner with just 16 ticks left in the third period.
Scoring chances were few and far between for the Sun Devils during the first period, with ASU struggling to generate quality looks. ASU was held to just five shots on goal during the first, a far cry from the 15 it mustered in the opening frame last Saturday against Alaska–Anchorage.
It didn’t help that the Sun Devils went 0-for-3 on the man-advantage, ending a stretch that saw them score a powerplay goal in each of the last five games. ASU’s first opportunity came with 1:18 to play in the first when Campbell was flagged for hooking. However, Clarkson never allowed its counterparts to establish any pressure, holding the Sun Devils without a shot for the entire two minutes.
ASU quickly turned things around in the second period, recording five of the frame’s first seven shots on goal. However, moments after the Sun Devils killed off a penalty of their own, Campbell deflected a long-range drive to give Clarkson a 1-0 advantage.
The Golden Knights’ lead would be short-lived, as ASU responded about six minutes later. Catching a pass from sophomore forward Josh Doan at the point, junior defenseman Tim Lovell moved into the high slot and fired his second goal of the season past Clarkson junior goaltender Ethan Haider, tying the game at one.
The defensive battle stayed even heading into the final 20 minutes of play. A big reason for this was a Sun Devils’ penalty kill that held the Golden Knights to only four shots over three power plays. Even with one less skater on the ice, ASU’s defenders had no problem closing up shooting lanes, as seven of the team’s 15 blocked shots came while shorthanded.
When the Sun Devils couldn’t get in front of pucks, sophomore goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter was once again up to the task. Semptimphelter turned aside 25 of the 27 tries that came his way, finishing the night with a .926 save percentage.
With time winding down in the third, it appeared that ASU was headed to overtime for the second time this season… until it wasn’t. As the clock dipped below 20 seconds, Campbell danced his way to the front of the goal and chipped the puck over Semptimphelter’s blocker, effectively sealing the Golden Knights’ fourth straight victory.
The Sun Devils will try to avoid being swept for the second time this season when they take on Clarkson tomorrow at 5 p.m. MST.
