Recap by Justin Gaither & Liesl Babicka, Sun Devil Athletics Interns
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Coming off a hard fought victory in the series-opener on Friday night, Arizona State (6-2-0) kept their foot on the gas Saturday night, routing Nebraska-Omaha (0-5-1) by a final score of 7-2 for their fourth-straight victory -- the longest in program history.
Sophomore Johnny Walker netted his first-ever hat trick along with one more for good measure as the Sun Devils cruised to their third sweep of the season -- the second on home ice.
"Our defense did a great job," said head coach Greg Powers on the win. "And Johnny was in a big slump and he finally put some in -- a three game slump."
All four of Walker's goals came on the power play, which finished 5-for-10 on the night -- the most in a single game in program history -- while killing both penalties on the night.
The Devils once again wasted no time getting started, as Walker deposited a perfect feed from freshman forward Demetrios Koumontzis on the first power play to give ASU an early 1-0 lead in the first period.
Two more goals, one more on the power play from freshman forward PJ Marrocco and one from senior forward Dylan Hollman, helped Powers' squad to a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the locker room after 20 minutes.
The second frame saw both teams find the back of the net twice, with Walker getting his second on the power play and sophomore forward Dom Garcia getting his first of the season.
From there, the Devils cruised.
They tacked on two more power play goals in the third period, both by Walker, giving him his first career hat trick and four-goal game.
"I really didn't create too much on those," said Walker. "Komo made four sweet passes and I did what I was suppose to do. There definitely wasn't anything special I did, the other four guys worked just as hard and we got it done on the power play tonight."
Even with Walker's four goal night, he wasn't the lone party responsible for ASU's offensive surge as Koumontzis notched four assists giving him six points through his first eight collegiate contests.
While the big story was the Sun Devil offense, the performance of junior goaltender Joey Daccord can't be understated.
Daccord was brilliant for the second straight night, stymying the Mavericks all night en route to a 29-save win -- his sixth of the season.
ASU's 53 shots on goal set a new program record, breaking the previous record of 49 set last year against Lake Superior State at the Three Rivers Classic.
"We want to be a hard checking team, especially at home," said Powers. "And we were tonight. And we forced the other team to make mistakes and cough it up, that was our best effort of the season right there."
Now riding a four-game winning streak, the Devils face their second challenge of the season next weekend at State College, Penn. to take on the undefeated, 16th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0-0).
The Devils return home the following weekend to face Michigan State (3-1-0) at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe. Limited tickets remain for the next home series at thesundevils.com or by calling the Sun Devil ticket office at 480-727-0000.
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Coming off a hard fought victory in the series-opener on Friday night, Arizona State (6-2-0) kept their foot on the gas Saturday night, routing Nebraska-Omaha (0-5-1) by a final score of 7-2 for their fourth-straight victory -- the longest in program history.
Sophomore Johnny Walker netted his first-ever hat trick along with one more for good measure as the Sun Devils cruised to their third sweep of the season -- the second on home ice.
Snaps...and snapbacks...for @jwalks96! ?????? pic.twitter.com/Z3qbD2v9aq
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 28, 2018
"Our defense did a great job," said head coach Greg Powers on the win. "And Johnny was in a big slump and he finally put some in -- a three game slump."
All four of Walker's goals came on the power play, which finished 5-for-10 on the night -- the most in a single game in program history -- while killing both penalties on the night.
??GOAL! ??
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 28, 2018
Because I guess a hat trick wasn't good enough, one more for good measure to take sole possession of the most goals (8) in all of @NCAAIceHockey! 7-2 Devils! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/5k9rknhD3A
The Devils once again wasted no time getting started, as Walker deposited a perfect feed from freshman forward Demetrios Koumontzis on the first power play to give ASU an early 1-0 lead in the first period.
Two more goals, one more on the power play from freshman forward PJ Marrocco and one from senior forward Dylan Hollman, helped Powers' squad to a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the locker room after 20 minutes.
The second frame saw both teams find the back of the net twice, with Walker getting his second on the power play and sophomore forward Dom Garcia getting his first of the season.
??GOAL! ??@Dominic_Garcia1 with a filthy backhander to beat Weninger for the 5-1 lead! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/dhqEWvcbHP
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 28, 2018
From there, the Devils cruised.
They tacked on two more power play goals in the third period, both by Walker, giving him his first career hat trick and four-goal game.
??HAT TRICK! ??@Jwalks96 with his FIRST CAREER (any level) HAT TRICK! ?????? pic.twitter.com/CmE6NKew3X
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 28, 2018
"I really didn't create too much on those," said Walker. "Komo made four sweet passes and I did what I was suppose to do. There definitely wasn't anything special I did, the other four guys worked just as hard and we got it done on the power play tonight."
Even with Walker's four goal night, he wasn't the lone party responsible for ASU's offensive surge as Koumontzis notched four assists giving him six points through his first eight collegiate contests.
While the big story was the Sun Devil offense, the performance of junior goaltender Joey Daccord can't be understated.
Daccord was brilliant for the second straight night, stymying the Mavericks all night en route to a 29-save win -- his sixth of the season.
ASU's 53 shots on goal set a new program record, breaking the previous record of 49 set last year against Lake Superior State at the Three Rivers Classic.
"We want to be a hard checking team, especially at home," said Powers. "And we were tonight. And we forced the other team to make mistakes and cough it up, that was our best effort of the season right there."
Now riding a four-game winning streak, the Devils face their second challenge of the season next weekend at State College, Penn. to take on the undefeated, 16th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0-0).
The Devils return home the following weekend to face Michigan State (3-1-0) at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe. Limited tickets remain for the next home series at thesundevils.com or by calling the Sun Devil ticket office at 480-727-0000.