OMAHA, Neb. – No. 14/16 Sun Devil Hockey earned a thrilling, 5-4, victory over Omaha in a back-and-forth game on Saturday evening at Baxter Arena.
Jordan Sandhu hit Brett Gruber in stride, as the junior forward broke away from the Maverick defense and fired a wrister past the Omaha goalkeeper Austin Roden to put the Sun Devils in front for good, 5-4. The game-winning goal came while the Sun Devils were short-handed, sealing the program's first road victory after trailing by two goals since November 12, 2016 (at New Hampshire).
"It was a weird game," Coach Greg Powers observed. "Down two to an NCHC team and to come back and win, that is a big deal. That is a really good hockey team over there that we just beat and we are thrilled to get out of here with a win."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
"I thought it was pretty good," Coach Powers remarked. "It could have gone either way. Obviously, we got some bounces there in the second to get back into it, but we were really resilient tonight. Grubs (Brett Gruber) pops a really good short-handed goal."
"We are going to have to be a lot better tomorrow to win," Coach Powers added. "We have got to find ways when we get a two-goal lead to extend it and hold it."
UP NEXT:
The Sun Devils return to the ice to face Omaha for a Sunday afternoon tilt is scheduled for 4:07 p.m. CST / 3:07 p.m. MST and will be streamed live on NCHC.tv
Jordan Sandhu hit Brett Gruber in stride, as the junior forward broke away from the Maverick defense and fired a wrister past the Omaha goalkeeper Austin Roden to put the Sun Devils in front for good, 5-4. The game-winning goal came while the Sun Devils were short-handed, sealing the program's first road victory after trailing by two goals since November 12, 2016 (at New Hampshire).
"It was a weird game," Coach Greg Powers observed. "Down two to an NCHC team and to come back and win, that is a big deal. That is a really good hockey team over there that we just beat and we are thrilled to get out of here with a win."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- An uneventful first period ended scoreless thanks to the work of Evan DeBrouwer, who made 17 saves in just the start of a busy night.
- Early in the second period, Omaha struck first on an unassisted goal by Noah Sullivan. The lead was quickly doubled after a goal from Zach Jordan, coming right after a Mavericks' power play had completed.
- The Arizona State fourth line provided a necessary spark midway through the second period, as their relentless pursuit of the puck was rewarded. Hard work by Dominic Garcia led to a turnover, giving Filips Buncis an opportunity at the doorstep. Buncis' first goal of the season was of the highlight-reel variety, pulling the Sun Devils within one.
As the third period gets underway, @philbunks blesses your timeline with this sick goal! #ForksUp
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 22, 2019
WATCH: https://t.co/khbjtE7UGf pic.twitter.com/Y4mZko2d6P
- Less than a minute later, Jordan Sandhu followed Buncis' lead, evening up the game at two with his first goal of the campaign.
- Willie Knierim made it three goals in the less than two minutes, as he beat Roden, giving the Sun Devils their first lead of the game after the puck ricocheted off the skate of Tyler Busch.
- The squad was not finished scoring in the second period, as Johnny Walker continued his dominance against Omaha. The junior forward scored his fifth goal in the last five games against the Mavericks, putting Arizona State up 4-2 after two periods.
- Back-to-back goals from Omaha knotted the game up once again, with the second coming with an extra attacker due to a delayed penalty call against the Sun Devils.
- Despite the momentum shift and man disadvantage, ASU showed the resiliency and fight that is required to win in tough road environments.
- Enter Brett Gruber, who flew through the Mavericks defense, finding an opening and streaking towards the net. An alert Jordan Sandhu made a perfect pass, right on the tape, preventing Gruber from having to break stride. Gruber cashed-in the one-on-one opportunity, putting the Sun Devils ahead 5-4.
- DeBrouwer saw plenty of rubber in the final period, as the Mavericks made a final comeback attempt. The Sun Devil goaltender was up to the task, making 20 saves in the final period, several of them coming in clutch moments.
- The four-goal, second period scoring outburst by Arizona State had historic implications. Not only is it the most goals in a period scored this season, it is tied for the most ever in one period by the program. ASU also scored four in the third period in a victory over Boston College last season (1/4/19).
- Evan DeBrouwer matched a career-high with 44 saves (last vs. Denver – 12/7/19), giving him five consecutive 30+-save performances. The sophomore has now racked up 188 saves over his past five games (37.6 saves/game).
- For the first time all season, the Sun Devils rallied from a two-goal deficit to win (last vs. Colorado College – 12/14/18). It is the program's first road victory after trailing by two goals since November 12, 2016.
- Johnny Walker finished with a goal and an assist (two points), giving him five goals and two assists (seven points) over his last five games against Omaha.
- Both Jordan Sandhu and Filips Buncis each registered their first goals of the season.
"I thought it was pretty good," Coach Powers remarked. "It could have gone either way. Obviously, we got some bounces there in the second to get back into it, but we were really resilient tonight. Grubs (Brett Gruber) pops a really good short-handed goal."
"We are going to have to be a lot better tomorrow to win," Coach Powers added. "We have got to find ways when we get a two-goal lead to extend it and hold it."
UP NEXT:
The Sun Devils return to the ice to face Omaha for a Sunday afternoon tilt is scheduled for 4:07 p.m. CST / 3:07 p.m. MST and will be streamed live on NCHC.tv