(Photo Courtesy – Haley Rogalski)
A quick glance at the stat sheet after game two would look promising for ASU, shots on goal for both teams 30, blocked shots, 23-16 in favor of ASU, power play goals 1-0 in favor of ASU, penalties four for ASU and seven for UAF but there lies a big blemish, the final score 5-2, meaning a loss for the Sun Devils.
Sun Devil men’s hockey was unable to play spoiler this weekend and hinder the hopes of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in making the NCAA tournament as they dropped game two in a final score of 5-2 against a quality UAF team.
Arizona State drops to 13-18 overall on the year and Head Coach Greg Powers hopes of going 12-0 in their remaining stretch of games are now officially crushed as they sit 2-2 in their last four.
The Sun Devils got off to a hot start taking the lead early on a powerplay goal scored by freshman forward Teddy Lagerback, however, the Nanooks did not go away scoring not one but two goals of their own in under two minutes and thirty seconds making it a quick 2-1. Despite the chances from the Sun Devils, they couldn’t find the back of the net when they needed it most and this would be true all game.
That streak contented into the second period where the ASU was not able to capitalize on a power play and end up finding themselves on the short end of the proverbial hockey stick giving up a shorthanded goal that extended UAFs lead too, 3-1. After a rebound on a Sun Devil shot went wide the Nanooks cruised down the ice in a quick 2-on-2 transition to score, deflating the power play for the Sun Devils that had just generated offensive zone pressure and scoring chances seconds before.
Trailing 3-1 after two ASU needed momentum back their way which they got when sophomore captain Josh Doan created a turnover in the neutral zone allowing the Sun Devils to come back 2-on-2 quickly and with grace Doan was able to get enough room on the defender to slide the puck through the five-hole of senior goaltender Matt Radomsky making it a one-score game again.
The Nanooks fought back, extending the lead back to two goals with a beauty of a goal coming on an odd-man rush that left sophomore goaltender Tj Semptimphelter out to dry.
With a chance to try to right the ship and gain back a little momentum late with just under five minutes to play ASU went on the power play and pulled Semptimphelter for the extra attacker making it 6-on-4. However, that power play would be unsuccessful and an empty net goal was scored three seconds after it ended to finalize the score at 5-2.
For the Sun Devils now it will be a chance to rest and take the weekend off as they won’t be back in action again until February 17 when they take on Lindenwood. The following weekend will see the opportunity however for the Sun Devils to get revenge as the Nanooks come to Tempe for a two-game weekend slate.
