Missed Opportunities, Buckeye Offensive Explosion Makes for Tough Loss

Recap by Kaylee Connors, Sun Devil Media Relations Intern
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sun Devil Hockey dropped the first game of the series against the Buckeyes, as Ohio State (7-17-1) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back en route to a 8-3 victory on Thursday afternoon at Value City Arena.
 
Senior Johnny Walker and freshmen Michael Mancinelli and Benji Eckerle were all able to notch goals in the contest, but ASU (6-16-3) was ultimately not able to capitalize on multiple other scoring chances.

"We out-chanced them tonight 16-9, so we have to execute and turn the table so we are the ones that get the momentum," said head coach Greg Powers. "It was just one of those weird games where they got some crazy bounces and we looked up and felt like we were out playing them and we're down three goals."

The Sun Devils will close out their season tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. MST against the Buckeyes on Big Ten Network Plus.

How It Happened

• The Buckeyes jumped out to an early lead. CJ Regula scored from in close on the short side with 14:10 left in the first.
• Ohio State scored again less than three minutes later when Mark Cheremeta set up Travis Treloar for the goal and the 2-0 lead.
• One minute into the Sun Devils first powerplay of the game Ohio State scored their third of the period.
• Johnny Walker scored on a breakaway to beat Ohio State's goaltender Nappier just 36 seconds into the second period to make it a 3-1 game.
• Ryan O'Reilly was called for goaltending interference with 17:41 left in the second. Ohio State capitalized on the man advantage and scored just 45 seconds later to put the Buckeyes up 4-1.
• Buckeye's Mark Cheremeta scored off a faceoff for his second goal of the night. Ohio State led 5-1 with 13:19 left in second.
• Michael Mancinelli fired a knuckle puck past Nappier to notch his sixth goal of the season making the score 5-2. Ryan O'Reilly got the assist.
• Kamil Sadlocha recovered a rebound and gave the Buckeyes the 6-2 lead two minutes into the third period.
• Ohio State's Travis Treloar recorded his third goal of the game to earn a hat trick and the 5 goal lead with 16:19 left in the third.
• The Buckeyes scored again six minutes into the third to give Ohio State the 8-2 lead. 
• Freshman Benji Eckerle found the back of the net for the third time this season with 13:48 left in the third to make it 8-3. 

 
Game Notes

• Johnny Walker's goal in the second period was his first since January 10th. It was his 109th career point, extending his stronghold on the most career points in program history.
• ASU's nine-straight penalty kill streak ended tonight in the second period.
• Goaltender Evan Debrouwer saw time in net for the first time since January 22nd against Minnesota. He posted 14 saves on 17 shots faced.
• The Buckeye's shorthanded goal in the first period was the first the Sun Devils had given up since Nov. 28, 2020 against Wisconsin.
• Mancinelli's goal was his first since Jan. 22, 2021 against Minnesota. He now has 10 points in his rookie collegiate season.
• Ohio State's eight goals are the most the Buckeyes have scored all season. They had managed just one goal in their previous three games.
• Benji Eckerle's goal in the third was his first since Dec. 13, 2020, and third on the season.
• Ohio State's Jaedon Leslie's goal at 13:55 in the third and Benji Eckerle's goal seven seconds later is the shortest time between opposing goals in program history. It was previously eight seconds vs. Quinnipiac on Jan. 20, 2018.