It looked dicey at the end, but a game-tying goal by the Sun Devils with 14 seconds left sent the game to overtime. From there, ASU and Alberta skated to a draw in overtime before ASU finished the job in a shootout.
"They are a big team in size, a mature team in age and they have a lot of skill," forward Ryan Belonger said. "Top to bottom it's a good test for us to get a win like that."
Ryan Ostertag shined for the Sun Devils, scoring two goals and coming one ringer off the post away from a hat trick. Ryan Belonger tied the game late in the third period, and that line along with Liam Norris played marvelously all night long, scoring three goals and six points.
On Belonger’s goal, it came with an empty net for the Sun Devils, the first time ASU has scored in that scenario. But head coach Greg Powers was not surprised.
"We have some set plays, that we like a lot,” Powers said. “We practiced 6-on-5. It was good. We did it and I'm proud of the guys.”
The game officially does not hit the record books as it was an exhibition, but the shootout sent the fans home happy. After Alberta shot wide on its first attempt, Jordan Masters went bardown to give ASU the lead. Then once goalie Robert Levin stuffed Alberta’s second shot, Charlie Zuccarini sent the home fans happy with a goal to clinch it.
"That's a really good team, Alberta and we were really happy with our effort," Powers said. "We'll have to be a lot better tomorrow."
The Sun Devils return to action Saturday night for a rematch with Alberta at 7:30 p.m. at Oceanside Ice Arena.