Sun Devils cruise over No. 23 Eastern Michigan

ASU hockey improved its record to 10-0 after taking care of No. 23 Eastern Michigan by 9-2 decision Thursday night at Oceanside Ice Arena.

The team showcased why it has one of the best offenses of in the ACHA by going 4-for-8 on the power play. Forward Stephen Collins, who was the leading scorer of the game, also picked up the first hat trick of his career.

“[Stephen Collins] was phenomenal. He’s such a skilled hockey player, and he was able to translate that tonight on the scoreboard. We’re very happy for his effort,” head coach Greg Powers said.

The Sun Devils outshot the Eastern Michigan Eagles 22-5 in the first period but they were unable to find the back of the night. Eagles goaltender Andrew Duff was able to fend off an onslaught of shots early and was able to take care of the Sun Devil’s powerplay. However, the Eagles were able to take advantage of their powerplay. Both Sun Devil captain Colin Hekle and defensemen Darcy Charrois found themselves in the penalty box and the Eagles scored 10 seconds into the 5-on-3 poweplay when forward Anthony Stankiewicz sent it home.  This gave Eastern Michigan a 1-0 lead going into intermission.

“Their goalie was phenomenal in the first period, and he really kept them in it,” Hekle said. “They started talking to our bench and getting us riled up after the first so that sort lit the fire and then we put them down.”

The Sun Devils got on the board when Charrois rocketed a slap shot into the net at 15:41 for the powerplay goal. Forward Brian McGinty also added another powerplay goal with 13 minutes left in the second to give the Sun Devils their first lead of the night. The Eagles were able to tie it up at 8:51 when forward Nick Taurence skated behind the net and snuck it just past Sun Devil goaltender Joe D’Elia for the shorthanded goal. Thirty seconds later, Collins scored his first goal of the game by netting in a rebound from a Jordan Young shot. The Sun Devils then went on to score three more goals in the second to take the commanding 6-2 lead at the end of the second period.

Collins dominated in the third period scoring two goals to complete the hat trick. His second goal of the period was spectacular as he deked his way through two Eastern Michigan defenders and sent the puck to the top shelf for the goal. Hekle added a breakaway goal in the closing minutes of the game to give the Sun Devils the 9-2 win.

The team returns to action Friday night as they host Division II Colorado State at 8:00 p.m. at Oceanside Arena.

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