PRINCETON, NJ – With two minutes left in the overtime period, senior forward Jake Clifford crashed the net and buried a rebound off the shot of freshman defenseman Josh Maniscalco for the game-winner and series sweep of Princeton.
It was icing on the cake for the birthday boy, who shares his big day with head coach Greg Powers.
"That is poetic justice is what happened out there with Cliff," said Powers. "It's his birthday today and he's been a tremendous program builder for us. He's been through a lot of ups and downs as we've grown, and for him to have this big moment on his birthday in his senior year is a good moment for him."
THE OTHER BIRTHDAY BOY WITH THE GAME WINNER & ??! pic.twitter.com/0FbxOJMX9a
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 9, 2018
The game started nearly the same as Friday, with the Sun Devils nearly scoring just seconds into the first period on the first shift.
While the first goal didn't come that soon, junior defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk netted his seventh of the season and his second in as many nights on ASU's first man advantage. Freshman forward Demetrios Koumontzis fed it to Pasichnuk at the top of the slot for a blast through traffic and past Ryan Ferland.
With time winding down in the first frame again, another Sun Devil d-man found the back of the net through traffic. Off the draw, sophomore Jacob Wilson fired a shot from the wall that beat Ferland for the 2-0 lead.
The second period was a polar opposite of the first, as Princeton's top line ended Daccord's scoreless streak.
Within the first two minutes of the second period, Ryan Kuffner and Max Veronneau tied the game up at two. Both coming off great shots, with the first at even strength and the second being Princeton's first and only on the man advantage.
After a scoreless third period that saw a shot from both sides ringing off the post, the Sun Devils entered their third overtime game of the season.
Just like the previous two, a hero would emerge.
Clifford netted his second of the season, while Maniscalco and Pasichnuk picked up the assists. Pasichnuk finished with a two-point night.??Alternate behind-the-net view of @cliff_show's game winner. ?? pic.twitter.com/YVpFpotijv
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 9, 2018
The Sun Devils moved up to No. 8 in the Pairwise following the weekend sweep – the second road sweep of the season.
ASU returns home for two against Colorado College on Dec. 14-15. Limited tickets still remain here.Saturday's are for the boys! #TeamHug pic.twitter.com/sxEYKfiXDs
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 9, 2018
The Desert Hockey Classic returns to Gila River Arena with one of the best fields in college hockey, including No. 3 Minnesota State, No. 4 Minnesota Duluth, and No. 16 Clarkson. Tickets can be purchased through the Arizona Coyotes ticket office by calling 480-563-PUCK (7825) or via ticketmaster.com.