HOUGHTON, Mich. – The two W's – Johnny Walker and Jacob Wilson – helped Sun Devil Hockey earn the second 'W' against Michigan Tech of the season, downing the Huskies 2-1 in overtime at MacInnes Student Ice Arena.
For the third-straight game, the Sun Devils (8-18-5) forced overtime behind another stellar performance from sophomore goaltender Joey Daccord with 39 saves. Just over two minutes into overtime, sophomore defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk patiently waited for freshman defenseman Jacob Wilson to crash between the circles for a shot that fluttered off the glove of Michigan Tech Devin Kero and in the back of the net.
"It was a great team win and we can play downhill now," said head coach Greg Powers. "It's always great to get Friday. That's a good team and a tough place to play. That's a really good win for our program."
Just two minutes into the second period, the Devils knotted it up. Daccord played the puck at the goal line and fed redshirt senior David Norris with a stretch pass to the far blue line. Norris skated the puck into the zone before dropping a pass to sophomore Brett Gruber, who found Walker streaking into the far circle. Walker walked in before snapping a shot on Kero, but maintained his position in front of the crease before lifting a shot over Kero for his team-leading 11th goal of the season.
"He's been great and really good tonight," said Powers. "He could have had two or three. Every game he finds a way to somehow score."
He further extends his program record for goals scored by a Sun Devil freshman, and now sits in a tie for 7th in goals scored by a freshman nationally.
With just over a minute left in the third period, the Pasichnuk brothers broke out for a 2-on-1 advantage. Brinson fed Steenn, who snapped a quick shot shortside, but Kero slid across to make a pad save.
In overtime, the Huskies had a great opportunity robbed by Daccord early on, thus giving the Devils the opportunity they needed.
"We thought the first was pretty evenly played, we played really good in the second, had some really good opportunities that didn't go in and found a way," said Powers. "Dacs was really good in the third. He stepped up and made another big save in overtime, and then Brinson stepped up and made a play."
Daccord earned the game's first star, while Brinson picked up the third star with his game-winning assist and team-high three shots on goal.
The win is the first overtime victory since Dec. 9, 2017 against Princeton, and the Devils second of the season.
The two teams will wrap up the two-game series on Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. ET.
For the third-straight game, the Sun Devils (8-18-5) forced overtime behind another stellar performance from sophomore goaltender Joey Daccord with 39 saves. Just over two minutes into overtime, sophomore defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk patiently waited for freshman defenseman Jacob Wilson to crash between the circles for a shot that fluttered off the glove of Michigan Tech Devin Kero and in the back of the net.
"It was a great team win and we can play downhill now," said head coach Greg Powers. "It's always great to get Friday. That's a good team and a tough place to play. That's a really good win for our program."
Michigan Tech (15-14-5) struck first in the opening period with a power-play goal. Junior Jake Lucchini buried a one-timer on the backdoor for his team-leading 12th goal."You play. To Win. The Game." ?? pic.twitter.com/npW93BRIgn
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) February 17, 2018
Just two minutes into the second period, the Devils knotted it up. Daccord played the puck at the goal line and fed redshirt senior David Norris with a stretch pass to the far blue line. Norris skated the puck into the zone before dropping a pass to sophomore Brett Gruber, who found Walker streaking into the far circle. Walker walked in before snapping a shot on Kero, but maintained his position in front of the crease before lifting a shot over Kero for his team-leading 11th goal of the season.
"He's been great and really good tonight," said Powers. "He could have had two or three. Every game he finds a way to somehow score."
He further extends his program record for goals scored by a Sun Devil freshman, and now sits in a tie for 7th in goals scored by a freshman nationally.
With just over a minute left in the third period, the Pasichnuk brothers broke out for a 2-on-1 advantage. Brinson fed Steenn, who snapped a quick shot shortside, but Kero slid across to make a pad save.
In overtime, the Huskies had a great opportunity robbed by Daccord early on, thus giving the Devils the opportunity they needed.
"We thought the first was pretty evenly played, we played really good in the second, had some really good opportunities that didn't go in and found a way," said Powers. "Dacs was really good in the third. He stepped up and made another big save in overtime, and then Brinson stepped up and made a play."
Daccord earned the game's first star, while Brinson picked up the third star with his game-winning assist and team-high three shots on goal.
The win is the first overtime victory since Dec. 9, 2017 against Princeton, and the Devils second of the season.
The two teams will wrap up the two-game series on Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. ET.