KALAMAZOO, Mich. – For the second time this season, the men's ice hockey team tied a top-10 ranked team before eventually scoring in overtime. On Saturday night, the Sun Devils (10-19-3) closed out NCAA competition with a 2-2 tie against No. 9 Western Michigan at Lawson Ice Arena.
With 25.9 seconds remaining in double overtime, redshirt junior Wade Murphy buried a wrist shot passed Bronco (15-7-4) freshman goaltender Ben Blacker for the theoretical victory. NCAA rules state any game ending after the first overtime will result in a tie.
"Just incredible. What a great effort by our guys tonight," said head coach Greg Powers. "It was awesome to end our NCAA portion of our season playing almost 130 minutes of hockey the way that we need to play to compete against teams like that. The future is obviously very bright for our program."
The first 20 minutes went back and forth, with neither team able to find a crease on the opposing goaltender. ASU freshman Joey Daccord again stood tall between the pipes for the third-straight game, making 13 saves in the first period.
Through 60 minutes, Daccord made a whopping 47 saves before ultimately totaling a new season and program-high 54 saves. The Ottawa Senator draft pick made 53 a week ago to the day for the upset over then-No. 17 Quinnipiac.
After the scoreless first frame, persistence finally bounced the Devils' way.
Eight minutes into the second, the Devils took their first lead of the weekend, as freshman forward Tyler Busch buried his first goal since Jan. 20. After a quick shot in front off the pads of Blacker, Busch persistently punched the rebound under him for the 1-0 lead.
However, just over a minute later, a costly turnover brought the game back to a tie. Friday night's hero Colt Conrad netted his third goal of the series, as he just tucked one in between Daccord's pad and the post.
With the clock winding down in the game, ASU regained the lead thanks to a 'namely' connection. Redshirt sophomore Louie Rowe forced a turnover in the Western Michigan zone & fed a text-book backhanded pass to fellow sophomore Jack Rowe – no connection other than name – for the quick shot and 2-1 lead with less than five minutes remaining.
As the clock fell to just over a minute remaining, the Broncos pulled Blacker for the extra attacker. With 55 seconds on the clock and an empty net at his back, Wade Allison collected a loose puck amongst the scrum in front and wristed one over the top of Daccord to tie the game.
In overtime, both teams would create respective chances, with the Devils outshooting the Broncos, 4-3.
The tie becomes ASU's third of the season. In their first, full NCAA season, the Sun Devils defeated two ranked teams – No. 17 Quinnipiac and No. 18 Air Force – and tied two others – No. 10 Ohio State and No. 9 Western Michigan for a record of 10-19-3.
Coach Powers and the team return home next weekend for Senior Weekend at Oceanside Ice Arena, as they host Simon Fraser University from Canada in two exhibition match-ups.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased here.
With 25.9 seconds remaining in double overtime, redshirt junior Wade Murphy buried a wrist shot passed Bronco (15-7-4) freshman goaltender Ben Blacker for the theoretical victory. NCAA rules state any game ending after the first overtime will result in a tie.
"Just incredible. What a great effort by our guys tonight," said head coach Greg Powers. "It was awesome to end our NCAA portion of our season playing almost 130 minutes of hockey the way that we need to play to compete against teams like that. The future is obviously very bright for our program."
The first 20 minutes went back and forth, with neither team able to find a crease on the opposing goaltender. ASU freshman Joey Daccord again stood tall between the pipes for the third-straight game, making 13 saves in the first period.
Through 60 minutes, Daccord made a whopping 47 saves before ultimately totaling a new season and program-high 54 saves. The Ottawa Senator draft pick made 53 a week ago to the day for the upset over then-No. 17 Quinnipiac.
After the scoreless first frame, persistence finally bounced the Devils' way.
Eight minutes into the second, the Devils took their first lead of the weekend, as freshman forward Tyler Busch buried his first goal since Jan. 20. After a quick shot in front off the pads of Blacker, Busch persistently punched the rebound under him for the 1-0 lead.
However, just over a minute later, a costly turnover brought the game back to a tie. Friday night's hero Colt Conrad netted his third goal of the series, as he just tucked one in between Daccord's pad and the post.
With the clock winding down in the game, ASU regained the lead thanks to a 'namely' connection. Redshirt sophomore Louie Rowe forced a turnover in the Western Michigan zone & fed a text-book backhanded pass to fellow sophomore Jack Rowe – no connection other than name – for the quick shot and 2-1 lead with less than five minutes remaining.
As the clock fell to just over a minute remaining, the Broncos pulled Blacker for the extra attacker. With 55 seconds on the clock and an empty net at his back, Wade Allison collected a loose puck amongst the scrum in front and wristed one over the top of Daccord to tie the game.
In overtime, both teams would create respective chances, with the Devils outshooting the Broncos, 4-3.
The tie becomes ASU's third of the season. In their first, full NCAA season, the Sun Devils defeated two ranked teams – No. 17 Quinnipiac and No. 18 Air Force – and tied two others – No. 10 Ohio State and No. 9 Western Michigan for a record of 10-19-3.
Coach Powers and the team return home next weekend for Senior Weekend at Oceanside Ice Arena, as they host Simon Fraser University from Canada in two exhibition match-ups.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased here.