MANKATO, MN – Sophomore forward and Hobey Baker award candidate Matthew Kopperud notched his third multi-goal game of the season at No. 1 Minnesota State, tying for fifth place in total points amongst NCAA skaters. Despite the two goals from the team's leading scorer, the Arizona State men's ice hockey team fell, 2-4, on Friday night. ASU (15-13-0) and MSU (24-5-0) meet in a rematch on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 5:07 p.m. MST.
On both goals, Kopperud was assisted by Jack Jensen. Tim Theocharidis earned the second apple on ASU's first goal and Sean Dhooghe tallied the second A on the final goal.
The loss snaps a three-game road win streak and a five-game win streak against ranked opponents.
ASU's bench is one of the top five goal-scoring programs in the nation. Six goals this season have lit the lamp within the initial five minutes of play. Matthew Kopperud's 15th goal of the season at 1:01 in the first period was ASU's fifth goal in under two minutes - two of which have come from Kopperud.
ASU was outshot 33-26 while Ben Kraws made some impeccable saves to keep the Sun Devils in it. Kraws made his 17th start this season and notched his 10th game with 25+ saves.
ASU typically excels when scoring first and before tonight, boasted a 10-4-0 record when notching a tally on the board before its opponent.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
1:01 ASU (1-0): Sophomore Matthew Kopperud scored his 15th goal of the season in the opening 61 seconds of play. Tim Theocharidis took a slapshot from the top of the slot at the blue line that rebounded off a crowd in the slot and dabbled behind the net. Jack Jensen picked up the puck and passed to Kopperud who capitalized on MSU's netminder late read.
Third Period
14:07 ASU (2-4): Sean Dhooghe took a shot down low that the MSU goaltender was not able to snuff. A scrum ensued and Matthew Kopperud was relentless in his attempt to get the puck across the goal line. Persistence paid off and Kopperud scored his second goal of the night.
ASU's GOALS IN FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF PLAY
2:31 - Oct. 2, 2021 vs. UMass Lowell - Matthew Kopperud (PPG)
1:38 - Oct. 8, 2021 at Denver - Johnny Walker (PPG)
1:41 - Nov. 26, 2021 vs. No. 18 Bemidji State - Sean Dhooghe
1:19 - Dec. 18, 2021 at Colorado College - Colin Theisen (SHG)
1:43 - Jan. 2, 2022 vs. No. 9 Cornell - Ty Murchison
1:01 - Jan. 28, 2022 at No. 1 Minnesota State - Matthew Kopperud
On both goals, Kopperud was assisted by Jack Jensen. Tim Theocharidis earned the second apple on ASU's first goal and Sean Dhooghe tallied the second A on the final goal.
The loss snaps a three-game road win streak and a five-game win streak against ranked opponents.
ASU's bench is one of the top five goal-scoring programs in the nation. Six goals this season have lit the lamp within the initial five minutes of play. Matthew Kopperud's 15th goal of the season at 1:01 in the first period was ASU's fifth goal in under two minutes - two of which have come from Kopperud.
ASU was outshot 33-26 while Ben Kraws made some impeccable saves to keep the Sun Devils in it. Kraws made his 17th start this season and notched his 10th game with 25+ saves.
ASU typically excels when scoring first and before tonight, boasted a 10-4-0 record when notching a tally on the board before its opponent.
HE'S RELENTLESS ?????
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) January 29, 2022
3rd multi-goal game of the season for the team's leading scorer @kopper303 /// #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/0fP52a7EF6
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
1:01 ASU (1-0): Sophomore Matthew Kopperud scored his 15th goal of the season in the opening 61 seconds of play. Tim Theocharidis took a slapshot from the top of the slot at the blue line that rebounded off a crowd in the slot and dabbled behind the net. Jack Jensen picked up the puck and passed to Kopperud who capitalized on MSU's netminder late read.
Third Period
14:07 ASU (2-4): Sean Dhooghe took a shot down low that the MSU goaltender was not able to snuff. A scrum ensued and Matthew Kopperud was relentless in his attempt to get the puck across the goal line. Persistence paid off and Kopperud scored his second goal of the night.
ASU's GOALS IN FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF PLAY
2:31 - Oct. 2, 2021 vs. UMass Lowell - Matthew Kopperud (PPG)
1:38 - Oct. 8, 2021 at Denver - Johnny Walker (PPG)
1:41 - Nov. 26, 2021 vs. No. 18 Bemidji State - Sean Dhooghe
1:19 - Dec. 18, 2021 at Colorado College - Colin Theisen (SHG)
1:43 - Jan. 2, 2022 vs. No. 9 Cornell - Ty Murchison
1:01 - Jan. 28, 2022 at No. 1 Minnesota State - Matthew Kopperud