(Photo: Amanda Luberto/WCSN)
The Arizona State Sun Devils came out firing early and often as the Division II Elite team won it’s season opener against Weber State 5-1 on Saturday night. In a game that saw 19 combined penalties, the Sun Devils scored three goals on power plays and consistently killed Weber State’s power play opportunities, including three different 5-on-3 advantages for the Wildcats.
Arizona State was clearly the aggressor early in the game. Justin Havriliak scored the first goal for the Sun Devils sixty-one seconds into the game and Coda Engbar scored a shorthanded goal at the 7:47 mark. Another power play goal by Jamie Cotnoir seventy-one seconds into the second period gave the Sun Devils a 3-0 lead.
Weber State’s lone goal came when Zach Endicott scored with 12:44 remaining in the second period, a period where the Sun Devils aggression waned and inexperience began to show. The Wildcats had an opportunity to close the gap with a 5- on-3 advantage but were unable to capitalize thanks to the solid goal tending of Kyle Dietriech. Coda Engbar added a his second goal of the game on a power play with 49.0 seconds left in the second period.
The Wildcats threatened in a penalty filled third period. The Sun Devils were called for six penalties in the period, including a five minute major against Ryan Mohr. Despite the penalties, the Sun Devils added another goal with 6:30 remaining and closed out the game strong.
The series wraps up Sunday afternoon at 1:10pm, at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe.
You can reach Matthew Harden on Twitter @MattHarden or at matthewrharden@gmail.com
