MANKATO, Minn. – Sun Devil Hockey failed to cash in on opportunities against No. 3 Minnesota State Friday night at the Mankato Civic Center, and in turn fell 4-1 to the Mavericks in their regular season opener.
A back and forth affair consumed the first two periods with ASU trailing by just a goal entering the final frame. Several grade 'A' chances went by the wayside as Maverick sophomore goaltender Dryden McKay stopped 25 shots on the night and all 11 in the 3rd period.
"It was frustrating obviously – not our best effort," said head coach Greg Powers. "We had a few guys that played really well. I really liked how Evan (DeBrouwer) played in net and gave us a chance. The second period hurt us."
The final minutes of the second and third would ultimately decide the game, as a cross-checking penalty with 1:55 remaining in the middle period proved costly with a Maverick power-play tally for the 2-1 lead. In the final minutes of the third period, with the Sun Devils trailing 3-1 yet stirring up momentum, two penalties went against ASU to kill any late-game heroics.
HOW IT HAPPENED…
GAME FACTS:
QUOTES:
A back and forth affair consumed the first two periods with ASU trailing by just a goal entering the final frame. Several grade 'A' chances went by the wayside as Maverick sophomore goaltender Dryden McKay stopped 25 shots on the night and all 11 in the 3rd period.
"It was frustrating obviously – not our best effort," said head coach Greg Powers. "We had a few guys that played really well. I really liked how Evan (DeBrouwer) played in net and gave us a chance. The second period hurt us."
The final minutes of the second and third would ultimately decide the game, as a cross-checking penalty with 1:55 remaining in the middle period proved costly with a Maverick power-play tally for the 2-1 lead. In the final minutes of the third period, with the Sun Devils trailing 3-1 yet stirring up momentum, two penalties went against ASU to kill any late-game heroics.
HOW IT HAPPENED…
- Eight minutes into the first period, Minnesota State struck first off a rebound in front. Riese Zmolek made a quick move in front to get DeBrouwer to bite and tucked it behind him for the 1-0 lead.
- With 2:22 seconds left in the 1st, junior Johnny Walker netted his third goal in as many games off a one-timer from sophomore defenseman Josh Maniscalco during 4-on-4 action. It's Walker's third goal in the last two games.
- After a near scoreless second, the Mavericks' Julian Napravnik buried a quick shot off a backdoor pass from Reggie Lutz on the man advantage for their first of two power-play tallies on the night.
- Senior forward Marc Michaelis finished the night with the final two goals – both on special teams – with a shorthanded wrister and a power-play tally.
GAME FACTS:
- Junior Johnny Walker netted his third goal in two games (3rd of the season).
- Sophomore d-man Josh Maniscalco recorded his third assist of the season, while Walker's linemate – junior forward James Sanchez – recorded his fourth assist.
- Similar to these two team's first meeting last season, the Sun Devils were trailing by a goal entering the third period.
- Without special teams' tallies, the game was 1-1.
- ASU finished 0-for-3 on the power play with one lasting one minute and another lasting 23 seconds.
QUOTES:
- "The good news is it was a winnable game and we can be way better. That is a really, really good hockey team – they're very good. Every guy has to be at their very best for us to have a chance to beat them."
- "Goaltending was very good and I think the positives are we can be so much better than we were. We gave ourselves a chance to win tonight – we were on the power-play to tie it in the 3rd period against arguably the best team in the country."
- "It didn't feel like the ice was tilted during 5-on-5 at all. With the exception of a few shifts there in the second. There is some stuff we can build off of but we need more guys going."