(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)
An eerie silence fell upon Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday night as Arizona State senior forward Sean Dhooghe laid prone on the ice.
With less than two minutes remaining in the second period and the game tied 2-2, Ohio State junior forward Gustaf Westlund delivered a violent hit to the back of Dhooghe’s head. Dhooghe, who transferred to ASU from Wisconsin over the offseason, remained down on the ice for a few long seconds before skating off under his own power while concerned players from both teams looked on.
Poetically, Dhooghe’s premature exit gave the Sun Devils new life in their last game before the Christmas break. With just 11 seconds remaining in the second period, ASU junior defenseman Jack Judson hammered home the game winning goal during the five-minute power play that resulted from Westlund’s head shot.
Despite the vicious nature of the hit, Dhooghe was back on the ice to start the third period of a game his team ultimately won 3-2 to improve to 4-6-2.
“To see him go down after a hit like that was hard,” head coach Greg Powers said. “But [the team] bounced back and we got a big goal for him.”
Judson’s goal was big in more ways than one. Not only did it secure the win for the Sun Devils, it also marked the first time all season that ASU’s power play was the driving force behind a victory.
“They really needed it,” Powers said. “Our special teams tonight won us the game and that feels good.”
ASU entered the matchup having scored just two power play goals in 31 trips to the man advantage but was able to double its season total thanks to timely goals from Judson and freshman forward Matthew Kopperud.
“We simplified [the power play] a lot,” Kopperud said. “Just making sure we get shots on net. We’re not trying to do anything crazy, just simple stuff and it worked out tonight.”
Kopperud’s goal was his seventh of the season, moving him into sole possession of first place in the NCAA.
While the effectiveness of ASU’s power play may have come as a surprise, senior goaltender Evan DeBrouwer was his usual self. After playing all but eight minutes of the series’ first game, DeBrouwer turned in an even more impressive performance in the rematch. Despite surrendering an early power play goal, DeBrouwer rebounded strong and finished the night with 37 saves on 39 shots in his third win of the campaign.
After spending 36 consecutive days on the road, Arizona State will return home for two hard-earned weeks of rest before facing off against No. 1 Minnesota to kick off the second half of its schedule.
“We’re looking forward to the break and getting rested up,” senior defenseman Jacob Wilson said. “It’ll be nice to have some nice weather, we’re kind of sick of the snow and the cold.”
