STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Sun Devil Hockey went toe-to-toe with the nation's No. 6 team, falling just short of an upset in a 6-5 loss to Penn State Friday evening at Pegula Ice Arena.
Redshirt senior Dylan Hollman was a handful in the second period, as he scored a pair of goals to put the Sun Devils (6-3-0) ahead, 4-3, at the end of two periods. The Nittany Lions (6-0-0) responded with three unanswered third period goals to keep their undefeated streak -- and best start in program history -- alive.
"We had them right where we wanted them," said head coach Greg Powers. "I thought we outplayed them in the second and we're up a goal against maybe the best team in the country, definitely one of the top five, and we let it slip away. It's disappointing but a great learning experience for our guys.
"We have to find a way to close those out. There are some good things, but at the end of the day we need to buy in defensively more than we did tonight."
Penn State would take the early lead behind an Evan Barratt goal just over four minutes in the first period. The Sun Devils demonstrated poise in a hostile environment, responding with a push that ultimately paid off with a delayed penalty on the Nittany Lions. With the extra attacker on the ice, junior Tyler Busch evened the game up after receiving a pass from sophomore Johnny Walker with space in the middle of the ice.
Continuing to apply pressure in the first frame, ASU continued to manifacture multiple scoring opportunities. Perkiomenville-native Josh Maniscalco made the most of his return home, scoring his first collegiate goal in front of family and friends to give the Sun Devils' a 2-1 lead with 2:22 remaining in the 1st. Penn State responded 30 seconds later with a goal of their own, as Chase Berger scored his fourth goal of the season to tie the game back up at two entering the first intermission.
The back-and-forth affair continued into the second period, with both teams threatening to take the lead back.
Enter Dylan Hollman, who would take advantage of a great set-up by sophomore Filips Buncis for his fourth goal of the season to put the Sun Devils up 3-2 just over two minutes into the second. Hollman was not done there, as he answered a Nittany Lion equalizer to put Arizona State back in front, 4-3. Hollman registered his first career multi-goal game, and his five goals on the season matches his previous season high.
Six different Sun Devils put together multi-point performances, including a career-best three assists by d-man Jacob Wilson. Filips Buncis also recorded his first career multi-point outing, finishing with two assists.
Chasing a goal in the third period, Penn State would use the home crowd to their advantage, gaining the momentum early in the period.
The Nittany Lions used three unanswered third period goals to build a 6-4 lead -- the first two-goal lead for either team.
The Sun Devils didn't turn in it despite the shift in momentum, as they mounted yet another rally.
With Joey Daccord on the bench and an empty net at their backs, NCAA scoring leader Johnny Walker registered his ninth goal of the season and second point of the night to cut the Nittany Lion lead in half with a minute and a half remaining.
Despite a final push by the top two lines, the Sun Devils fell to Penn State, 6-5. It was the first time the Nittany Lions allowed more than three goals at home.
ASU gets another chance Saturday night at 8 p.m. (EST) at Pegula Ice Arena on Big Ten Plus.