OMAHA, Neb. – The Arizona State Sun Devil Hockey Team fell in the second game of a two-game weekend series against Nebraska Omaha, 4-0 (EN), Saturday evening at Baxter Ice Arena.
The Sun Devils could not find the scoring column despite a healthy advantage in the shot category, finishing the game ahead 44-23 in shots on goal and a remarkable 98-38 margin in total shot attempts. The 44 shots on goal were the most since ASU put 53 on goal against Nebraska Omaha earlier in the season (10/27).
Arizona State managed to control a majority of the play to start the game, registering six of the first seven shots on goal. The penalty kill would be tested early, as the Sun Devils would find themselves shorthanded 4:15 into the game. Omaha would take advantage of the early power play opportunity, as forward Mason Morelli picked up a rebound off a Daccord save and backhanded it past the ASU goaltender to take a 1-0 lead.
In response to the goal, several shifts were strung together that shifted the momentum back in the favor of the Sun Devils. ASU continued to test Mavericks goalkeeper Evan Weninger and ramped up their pressure on the forecheck. It would pay off in a power play chance halfway through the first period, as Omaha forward Tyler Weiss was sent to the box for tripping. The Sun Devil power play produced three shots on goal and a shot from junior forward Tyler Busch which found the right pipe. Just three minutes after the first penalty ended, another Maverick was sent to the box for slashing. The results of the second power play were similar to the first, as the Sun Devils called upon Weninger to make several key saves to keep the score 1-0.
Heading into the locker room trailing 1-0 after the first period did not seem to faze the visiting side. ASU would quickly earn another power play opportunity a minute into the period. During the power play, an errant pass was intercepted by Mavericks forward Riley Alfred converted the one-on-one situation by flipping a backhand shot past Daccord. Omaha would take go on to take a 3-0 advantage later in the period when Fredrik Olofsson crashed the right side of the net and chipped the puck in off a pad save. Both teams would clean things up, going without a penalty until Jake Clifford was called for hooking with under two minutes left in the second period. The Mavericks would be presented with a 5-on-3 after the Sun Devils were called for penalty in the final minute.
In need of a spark, the Sun Devils came out in the third period relying on the penalty kill to erase a 5-on-3 advantage. The PK unit kept hope alive by preventing the Mavericks from extending their lead. ASU would earn a power play of their own, after Olofsson was sent off for hooking with 15:20 left in the game. Shots continued to find their way on net on the power play, but Weninger was up to the task. A player from each team was penalized creating a 4-on-4 situation, which caused Coach Greg Powers to attempt generate more offense by pulling the goaltender for an extra attacker. Several shots on goal resulted from the decision to leave the net empty, with Weninger able to maintain the three-goal lead. The empty net strategy would be evoked again with 2:30 left in the third period to set up for one final push. An empty net goal would give the Mavericks their fourth goal, as they picked up the 4-0 victory.
The Sun Devils have an off week for the first time this season before heading to New Jersey to take on No. 18 Princeton for a two-game series starting Friday, December 7th at 5:00 P.M. (MST).
The Sun Devils could not find the scoring column despite a healthy advantage in the shot category, finishing the game ahead 44-23 in shots on goal and a remarkable 98-38 margin in total shot attempts. The 44 shots on goal were the most since ASU put 53 on goal against Nebraska Omaha earlier in the season (10/27).
Arizona State managed to control a majority of the play to start the game, registering six of the first seven shots on goal. The penalty kill would be tested early, as the Sun Devils would find themselves shorthanded 4:15 into the game. Omaha would take advantage of the early power play opportunity, as forward Mason Morelli picked up a rebound off a Daccord save and backhanded it past the ASU goaltender to take a 1-0 lead.
In response to the goal, several shifts were strung together that shifted the momentum back in the favor of the Sun Devils. ASU continued to test Mavericks goalkeeper Evan Weninger and ramped up their pressure on the forecheck. It would pay off in a power play chance halfway through the first period, as Omaha forward Tyler Weiss was sent to the box for tripping. The Sun Devil power play produced three shots on goal and a shot from junior forward Tyler Busch which found the right pipe. Just three minutes after the first penalty ended, another Maverick was sent to the box for slashing. The results of the second power play were similar to the first, as the Sun Devils called upon Weninger to make several key saves to keep the score 1-0.
Heading into the locker room trailing 1-0 after the first period did not seem to faze the visiting side. ASU would quickly earn another power play opportunity a minute into the period. During the power play, an errant pass was intercepted by Mavericks forward Riley Alfred converted the one-on-one situation by flipping a backhand shot past Daccord. Omaha would take go on to take a 3-0 advantage later in the period when Fredrik Olofsson crashed the right side of the net and chipped the puck in off a pad save. Both teams would clean things up, going without a penalty until Jake Clifford was called for hooking with under two minutes left in the second period. The Mavericks would be presented with a 5-on-3 after the Sun Devils were called for penalty in the final minute.
In need of a spark, the Sun Devils came out in the third period relying on the penalty kill to erase a 5-on-3 advantage. The PK unit kept hope alive by preventing the Mavericks from extending their lead. ASU would earn a power play of their own, after Olofsson was sent off for hooking with 15:20 left in the game. Shots continued to find their way on net on the power play, but Weninger was up to the task. A player from each team was penalized creating a 4-on-4 situation, which caused Coach Greg Powers to attempt generate more offense by pulling the goaltender for an extra attacker. Several shots on goal resulted from the decision to leave the net empty, with Weninger able to maintain the three-goal lead. The empty net strategy would be evoked again with 2:30 left in the third period to set up for one final push. An empty net goal would give the Mavericks their fourth goal, as they picked up the 4-0 victory.
The Sun Devils have an off week for the first time this season before heading to New Jersey to take on No. 18 Princeton for a two-game series starting Friday, December 7th at 5:00 P.M. (MST).