(Photo Susan Wong/WCSN):
Before the final home game of the season against the University of Alaska-Anchorage, Brinson Pasichnuk and his brother Steenn were greeted by their family and friends in town from Bonnyville, Alberta during the pre-game ceremony commemorating the first full graduating Division I class of Arizona State men’s hockey.
Brinson embraced his mom and dad, Kathi and Michael Pasichnuk, as a teary smile shined across his face, springing a heart-warming sensation of seeing his loved ones travel nearly 1,800 miles across the Northern border for his final series at Oceanside Ice Arena.
“It was so great,” Brinson said. “It was just so good. Those guys have been our best family friends for 22 years now, so just to see them come from a different country to watch a couple games on our senior weekend, it’s something we’ll forever be grateful for and cherish forever.”
That was just the humble beginning to an unforgettable night.
Brinson Pasichnuk guided the No. 10 Sun Devils to a dominant 5-2 victory over the Seawolves Saturday night, notching his first collegiate hat trick and four-point night in his final home game in front of a sold-out crowd in Tempe.
“I never in a million years expected to go out like that,” Brinson Pasichnuk said. “It was incredible, but I’m not taking credit. That was a team win.”
Pasichnuk was the spark ASU’s offense needed, displaying his full set of skills throughout the night.
The captain kicked off the scoring with puck-handling finesse at the 6:15 mark of the first period.
Junior forward Willie Knierim worked the puck from the goal crease to open ice at the point. Pasichnuk slid over and side-stepped a Seawolves defender before firing a laser through traffic past Alaska-Anchorage junior goaltender Kris Carlson.
Later, during a 4-on-3 powerplay late in the middle frame, Pasichnuk rotated around the top of the offensive zone with junior forward James Sanchez and sophomore defenseman Josh Maniscalco. After changing the angle with Walker screening in front, Pasichnuk unloaded a one-timer from top of the slot toward the back of the net, extending ASU’s lead to 4-2 with five seconds left in the second period.
Pasichnuk saved his best for last in his third and final goal of the night. As UAA senior forward Carmine Buono served a five-minute major for boarding, the Sun Devils had a prime opportunity to bury the dagger, and the senior captain did exactly that.
Starting from his own blueline, Pasichnuk raced through the neutral zone and split three UAA penalty killers, weaving his way with ease toward the goal mouth. With the puck curling on his stick, Pasichnuk backhanded a shot over the outstretched glove of Carlson off the iron and in to give ASU a 5-2 advantage with 13:15 left in regulation.
Pasichnuk didn’t picture this weekend going any better than it did, playing alongside his fellow graduating seniors as they all shared the spotlight in the sweep over the Seawolves.
“It was such a cool night,” Pasichnuk said, “These seniors beside me battled their rear ends off all season. I love these boys. It was for all of us, not just one of us tonight.”
Pasichnuk has recorded five goals in his last three games and 18 points in the 13 games. He increased his total to 34 points, setting a new career-high for points in a single season (30 points in 2018-2019). The captain ranks second among defensemen in the NCAA in points, trailing only Boston University’s David Farrance.
It wasn’t just his offensive contributions that stood out on Senior Night. Pasichnuk continued to grind out battles in the defensive zone, shutting down Alaska-Anchorage’s numerous odd-man rushes early in the game by breaking up cross-ice passes and cutting down lanes against darting wingers.
Pasichnuk’s impact on the program has been monumental, leading the Sun Devils in the right direction toward consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. Earlier this week, the senior captain was asked what it meant to him to wear the pitchfork the past four years. His answer was genuine.
“A lot,” Pasichnuk said after a very long pause and a breath. “I don’t even know how to put into words. It’s really cool knowing that you were one of the founding fathers of this program. You’ve given your heart and soul to this program. You sweat and bled for this program. It’s hard to put into words. It truly is. It means more to me than I could ever explain.”
