UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Sun Devil Men's Hockey took another significant step in the history of the program as they knocked off No. 6 Penn State in overtime, 4-3, Saturday night at Pegula Ice Arena.
The victory represents ASU's (7-3-0) first over a top-10 team and gave Penn State (6-1-0) their first loss to an unranked team at home since falling to Mercyhurst on November 3, 2017. Penn State entered the game 6-0 and No. 6 in the latest top-25.
Sophomore forward Johnny Walker netted the game-winner on a breakaway just over a minute into overtime for his second goal of the game and NCAA-leading 11th of the season.
"From a program standpoint, absolutely the best win to date," said head coach Greg Powers. "Not even close because of what it does for the confidence. To beat that team on the road is a huge milestone for our guys. Again, just really happy for our players.
Enter the nation's leading point scorer, Johnny Walker. Walker showed why he has garnered national attention, as he scored a pair of goals, including the breakaway game winner in overtime. On his first goal, he converted on a beautiful cross ice feed from Austin Lemieux to put the Devils up 2-1 in the middle frame.
Goaltender Joey Daccord showed flashes of brilliance on the evening, finishing with 40 saves in his biggest victory as a Sun Devil. Daccord came up clutch with a big save in overtime, helping build momentum for the eventual game-winner.
Freshman P.J. Marrocco put the Sun Devils on the board first, turning an Anthony Croston dish into his third goal of the season. The Nittany Lions would be held off the board until five minutes into the second period.
Redshirt senior Dylan Hollman continued his outstanding weekend and hot start to the season, scoring his third goal of the weekend and sixth of the season to extend the ASU lead to 3-1. The six goals by Hollman are already a season-best for the redshirt senior.
Along with the program's first victory over a top-10 team, it was also the team's first road victory over a ranked team.
The Sun Devils now return home for a two-game series against another Big Ten opponent in Michigan State. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Oceanside Ice Arena.
The victory represents ASU's (7-3-0) first over a top-10 team and gave Penn State (6-1-0) their first loss to an unranked team at home since falling to Mercyhurst on November 3, 2017. Penn State entered the game 6-0 and No. 6 in the latest top-25.
Sophomore forward Johnny Walker netted the game-winner on a breakaway just over a minute into overtime for his second goal of the game and NCAA-leading 11th of the season.
"From a program standpoint, absolutely the best win to date," said head coach Greg Powers. "Not even close because of what it does for the confidence. To beat that team on the road is a huge milestone for our guys. Again, just really happy for our players.
"That is an unbelievable hockey team, and they threw everything they had at us. They could have easily popped another one to win, but we found a way. Dacs (Joey Daccord) found a way to keep them out and Johnny (Walker) does what Johnny does. I am super proud of our guys."
After the Nittany Lions again clawed back to tie the game in the third period, the Sun Devils remained resilient and turned the page entering overtime.We had a lead going into the third both nights and darn near almost got swept. The crowd is incredible. It is an unbelievable atmosphere. It is something that we are looking to replicate in Tempe with our new building and that is coming soon."
Entering the sudden death, five-minute overtime period, Arizona State needed one of its best players to step up.Enter the nation's leading point scorer, Johnny Walker. Walker showed why he has garnered national attention, as he scored a pair of goals, including the breakaway game winner in overtime. On his first goal, he converted on a beautiful cross ice feed from Austin Lemieux to put the Devils up 2-1 in the middle frame.
Goaltender Joey Daccord showed flashes of brilliance on the evening, finishing with 40 saves in his biggest victory as a Sun Devil. Daccord came up clutch with a big save in overtime, helping build momentum for the eventual game-winner.
Freshman P.J. Marrocco put the Sun Devils on the board first, turning an Anthony Croston dish into his third goal of the season. The Nittany Lions would be held off the board until five minutes into the second period.
Redshirt senior Dylan Hollman continued his outstanding weekend and hot start to the season, scoring his third goal of the weekend and sixth of the season to extend the ASU lead to 3-1. The six goals by Hollman are already a season-best for the redshirt senior.
Along with the program's first victory over a top-10 team, it was also the team's first road victory over a ranked team.
The Sun Devils now return home for a two-game series against another Big Ten opponent in Michigan State. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Oceanside Ice Arena.