COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – 'Twas a night for the rookies in the Arizona State men's ice hockey team's 5-2 victory over Colorado College at Ed Robson Arena. Freshmen Ty Murchison and Ethan Szmagaj combined for three goals while first-year Josh Doan notched an assist on Friday night.
ASU (10-9-0) came out swinging early against CC (3-11-3), scoring six minutes into the matchup with a shorthanded goal from defenseman Ty Murchison with an assist from forward Benji Eckerle. It's the second career goal of Murchison's freshman campaign.
California's golden boy getting it done ?? @TyMurchison pic.twitter.com/xqEHFD1PGq
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 18, 2021
The Sun Devils went into heavy production mode in the second frame, generating two goals within four minutes. Rookie Ethan Szmagaj got in on the action - scoring his first collegiate goal - followed by Murchison's second goal of the night. It's the first multi-goal night for the California native.
FIRST COLLEGIATE GOAL ?????@SzmagajEthan /// #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/A7xVVCbIz5
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 18, 2021
ASU led the shot chart 36-25 after 60 minutes but was 0-3 on power play opportunities. Murchison's shorthanded goal is ASU's fourth this season which ties for third in the NCAA.
With two empty-net goals in the final minute from Colin Theisen, he and Murchison finished the night with two goals apiece. Jack Becker enjoyed a big night of assists, capturing apples on three goals.
tigers are just big cats. and we don't like cats ?? pic.twitter.com/Bo3gfN6qVs
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 18, 2021
GOAL SUMMARY
First Period
5:59 ASU (1-0): On the penalty kill, Jordan Sandhu chased the Tigers skaters behind their net, forcing a bad pass from CC. Benji Eckerle intercepted the puck at the top of the crease, giving a backhanded pass to Ty Murchison, who was coming down the slot. Murchison shot to the top corner for ASU's first goal of the game.
Second Period
6:57 CC (1-1): CC evened the score
12:34 ASU (2-1): First collegiate goal? Yes, please! Ethan Szmagaj broke the tie score with a snipe from the top of the circle through traffic with a pass from Jack Becker that traveled across the slot. Becker and Matthew Kopperud earned assists on the goal.
16:29 ASU (3-1): One was fun, so why not score two? Ty Murchison capitalized on CC's fumbled puck control in the circle. Murchison wound up at the perfect place in the slot and notched another goal.
Third Period
7:41 CC (3-2): CC scored on a power play opportunity to bring the score within one.
19:02 ASU (4-2): CC pulled their goaltender in a last-ditch effort to even the score. Colin Theisen took full advantage and notched an empty netter.
19:39 ASU (5-2): Just one empty netter wasn't enough, so Theisen went for a second to finish the night with two goals.
UP NEXT: ASU faces CC on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. at Ed Robson Arena on NCHC.tv.