RECAP BY LIESL BABICKA AND JUSTIN GAITHER
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The No. 17 Sun Devils fell short Sunday afternoon for their first home loss since the season opener on Oct. 5, falling to Michigan Tech, 3-2, at Oceanside Ice Arena.
A final push by the power play squad -- led by forward Willie Knierim's tip to tie the Huskies with four minutes remaining -- built momentum late before Michigan Tech (13-9-1) netted the game-winner with 2:05 remaining in regulation off a turnover in the ASU zone.
"We knew they were going to come out with a really good push because they are a good team, but we sustained it pretty well by controlling the five-on-five play during the last two periods," said head coach Greg Powers. "When we tied it up, there wasn't a doubt in our minds that we were going to win this game, but that's just not how things ended today."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
GAME FACTS:
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The No. 17 Sun Devils fell short Sunday afternoon for their first home loss since the season opener on Oct. 5, falling to Michigan Tech, 3-2, at Oceanside Ice Arena.
A final push by the power play squad -- led by forward Willie Knierim's tip to tie the Huskies with four minutes remaining -- built momentum late before Michigan Tech (13-9-1) netted the game-winner with 2:05 remaining in regulation off a turnover in the ASU zone.
"We knew they were going to come out with a really good push because they are a good team, but we sustained it pretty well by controlling the five-on-five play during the last two periods," said head coach Greg Powers. "When we tied it up, there wasn't a doubt in our minds that we were going to win this game, but that's just not how things ended today."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Michigan Tech got the scoring started in game two, as the Husky power play capitalized with a wrister from Trenton Bliss entering the zone down the left side for the 1-0 lead.
- Nearly 20 minutes later, the Sun Devils knotted the game up at one as defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk outworked Michigan Tech for 30 seconds before firing a shot from the right circle that beat Matt Jurusik far side.
- It was yet another long span before either team scored again, but it was Michigan Tech taking the lead yet again as Eric Gotz threw a puck on net with a man crashing and it ricocheted off the ASU defenseman in front and under DeBrouwer mid-way through the 3rd.
- With three minutes and change remaining, the Sun Devils got their fifth and final power play of the night and made it count. Brinson Pasichnuk fired a shot from above the left circle and Willie Knierim tipped it home past Jurusik to tie the game at two.
- Just as it seemed momentum began to swing in ASU's favor, a turnover in their own zone resulted in a tic-tac-toe play and Great Lakes Invitational championship hero Logan Pietila tapped in the easy goal for the 3-2 lead with 2:05 remaining for the eventual game-winner.
GAME FACTS:
- Steenn Pasichnuk played in his 100th collegiate game in the Maroon & Gold.
- The loss marked ASU's first on home ice since their season opening defeat vs. Mercyhurst on Oct. 5, 2019.
- It was also their first home loss against a WCHA opponent since Nov. 4, 2017 (Alabama-Huntsville).
- The Sun Devils scored their first power play goal at home since Dec. 6, 2019 vs. Denver (J. Walker).
- With his assist tonight, PJ Marrocco has s
- Coming off a six-block performance in the series opener, senior captain Brinson Pasichnuk recorded two points (1g, 1a) -- his fifth multi-point effort of the season.
- Pasichnuk also grabbed his 10th power play point, good for the team lead.
- His goal in the 2nd was his first since the opening series against Mercyhurst on Oct. 5-6.
- The Sun Devils have allowed just five second period goals on home ice this season (10 games).