TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona State men's ice hockey (3-4-0) defeated Colorado College (2-3-0) 5-3, behind a two-goal performance from Demetrios Koumontzis who moved into the program's top-10 career goals scored with 18 total. The Sun Devil penalty kill was almost perfect on the night, being successful in five of six opportunities, and the five goals marked a season-high for the Sun Devils.
"Five goals is good, we had a lot of chances when we didn't score tonight but it was nice in the first period especially. The goals that we did score was kind of what we were preaching, going toward the net, getting a tip," said head coach Greg Powers.
Colorado College scored first in the Friday night match with a goal five minutes into the first period, but the second half of the frame was all ASU. Demetrios Koumontzis scored the first of three straight Sun Devil goals on the man-up opportunity and evened the game at one at the 7:09 mark. Robert Mastrosimone notched a goal of his own 13:15 into the game thanks to assists from Lukas Sillinger and Josh Doan. Koumontzis again lit the lamp for the second time with 40 seconds remaining in the period to give ASU a two-goal cushion headed into the first intermission. ASU's 16 shots were the most in a period this season, and the seven from CC were the fewest allowed thus far this season until CC recorded just six in the third period.
ASU picked up right where they left off with Ryan Alexander netting his first goal in the maroon and gold just 1:46 into the second frame. A five minute major on Mastrosimone and offsetting roughing calls had the Devils on a penalty kill midway in the second period. The PK stood strong for four minutes but CC picked up their second goal of the game with a minute left in the man-advantage. The Tigers reversed roles with a goal in the final minutes of the second period to pull back within one headed into the third period.
Jack Jensen was called for slashing at 9:47 in the third but the Sun Devil PK managed their fifth kill in six opportunities. Colorado College pulled its goalie with 90 seconds remaining and Jack Judson snuck an empty net goal to seal the 5-3 Sun Devil win.
ASU goes for the sweep against Colorado College tomorrow, October 22 and has the chance to improve to .500 on the season. The puck drop again is for 7:00 pm, and will be broadcast on Pac-12 Insider.
QUOTES:
Arizona State Head Coach Greg Powers
Opening Statement:
"Five goals is good, we had a lot of chances when we didn't score tonight but it was nice in the first period especially. The goals that we did score was kind of what we were preaching, going toward the net, getting a tip. The power play goal was huge for us to get off the rough start there and even Mastrosimone's goal. Last weekend, (Josh) Doan was cutting back and filling behind and drove the middle and crossed the line of goalies sight and that's why it went in so we need pucks and bodies in the net, we did it tonight and they got rewarded."
On Demetrios Koumontzis speed on the ice tonight:
"He (Koumontzis) was the best player on the ice tonight, no doubt about it. He was the best player on the ice in every way and he came here too young at ASU but he's coming into his own. He's a hell of a player and he's just coming into his own and he'll have a big year for us."
On the team's penalty kills tonight:
"Yes it was good, but it was frustrating to not get out of the five-minute penalty. They did a good job sticking with it. They got back in the game because of it since we had a big kill in the third, I don't think they got a shot so I'm really proud of those guys."
On the different between the first & second unit on the power play:
"They did, they were keeping things simple and they're not forcing things and executing the simple puck touches that the first unit isn't. It's good, it's why you need two good units, the second one picked us up tonight and it's what team wins are all about."
On if there was a shift In momentum in the second period:
"It was a five-minute major, that's what happened. We felt like if we finished and played the right way, like we did in the third period, the third was a clinic on how to close out that game. But I think they had one really good chance where they hit that post and it was a perimeter shot. We put on a clinic on how to close a game so I'm really proud of our guys for that. But when you go up three goals you have to play the rest of the game we did in the third. Disciplined hockey, pucks out, pucks in, tight checking and that's what we did so we have a lot of good film to go too when closing out a game and how to play with a three goal lead. The penalty that Mastrosimone took we just can't have, we can't have a senior take that penalty, but he'll bounce back and the boys bailed them out."
On what he told the team once it got to 4-3:
"After the first period the message was to stay out of the box, get pucks out, get pucks in and we did the exact opposite. Sometimes it's what college kids do and sometimes they have to learn the hardway. I went In after the second period and said 'maybe now you'll listen to me and do exactly what to do.' Again, it was a good team win, credit to Colorado College for bouncing back and never giving up to put us on our heels in the second period and could've easily tied it up if TJ (Semptimphelter) wasn't sharp. They're doing a hell of a job with that program and it's going to be a good game tomorrow."
On balance within the lineup:
"Just switching things up a little bit, (Tucker) Ness is going to be really good. His puck touches are good and he's got some offensive flare to his game that I think could benefit Timmy. Murch and (Ethan) Szmagaj are that shutdown pair that you need. I liked how it went tonight, I thought the D was good even (Jacob) Semik on our third goal getting shots through and Koumoontzis getting shots through the net and he did a pretty good job of that tonight."
On Jackson Niedermayer being a threat on the blue line:
"Maybe realizing that his Dad is a hall of fame defensemen. We needed some guys back there that could move pucks out with their feet and add a little bit form the back. He's still learning, he made a few mistakes tonight but he did a lot good things, he can shoot a puck and get up in the play. He's such a gifted skater with great edges and power. He's going to get better and better and better, he'll make some mistakes but we'll live with them."
On the changes defensively:
"I thought the third period, being up a goal we held them to six shots with one scoring chance, I thought defensively we were fine tonight. They didn't have any odd man rushes and we took a five-minute penalty, it put us on our heels and it gave them momentum. It looked like we were going to kill it off if we got one more clear, but we didn't and just that one goal gave them the momentum that they needed and it almost brought them all the way back."
On getting a win on Saturday:
"Yes, this is the third Friday that we've won in a row. We won at Bemidji, against Colgate and now tonight. The message was remembering the pain, remember the hurt losing in this building last Saturday to use that fear to motivate us to not feel that tomorrow. Hopefully we can enjoy our Saturday night, that's the message. We have to learn from the previous three Saturday's to pull off a sweep. It's hard to sweep in college hockey. You look across the board every weekend it's so hard to do, it's the nature of what's we do and when you play a team back-to-back nights you never want to go home with two losses but it's staying intent, focused and we got away with getting away with our game tonight but I think that will keep our attention for tomorrow."
On moving on to tomorrow and beyond:
"It's using last Saturday, using the fear of how we felt. I remember walking out of here how bad we felt and our guys were devastated. We want to be really good in Mullett and giving people a reason to come back and support us and the best way to do that is win. We got to find a way to come out tomorrow and it has to be our best effort of the year."
Demetrios Koumontzis:
On what he did to get things going:
"Honestly, just take my game to the next level. Everyone's gotta play their part to help us win games and I know I can help do a lot of work there. I just came tonight focusing on doing whatever I can to play my game and it showed a little bit more tonight."
On being on the attack tonight:
"I think I can use that to my advantage, and I need to do it consistently so tomorrow night will be a good test to see if I can continue that.
On setting the tone with four straight goals:
"It was huge. Everyone knows last Saturday's loss was a big one. No one saw that coming and it hurt a lot so we knew we had to come out hard tonight and we did that. The second period we kind of got away from our game but we got back to it in the third period and that's a good thing leading into tomorrow."
On carrying Friday wins to Saturday:
"You just do the same thing. You prepare the same way. You don't get comfortable. I think that was something… there were a lot of jitters last week with the new rink and all the fans but now it's no excuse. We got 5,000 fans behind us and we have to use it to our advantage. Not be scared about it. Not be too comfortable about it either."
On his impact after his surgery last season:
"It's just good to be back. No one likes missing games, especially being injured for a long period of time. There's a long stretch of rehab and getting ready for this season this summer. It's just good to be back and doing what I can to help the team win."
On the second unit finding success:
"I think it's hard for them (the first unit). There's a lot of pressure being the first unit, so a lot of that's not on us. We just get out there and we're a little more free with it. We work off each other. They build some momentum, we get out there and we get a goal for the team. That's what's important. It's gonna come for them."
Ryan Alexander:
On handling big minutes and his biggest attributes:
"Hard work. No matter what you do you could always rely on hard work and that's what I try to bring to the table every game… it's been fun."
On keeping his first goal puck:
"I did. It took a while to find it but I got it… kind of running around asking people (for it)."
On the feeling of his first goal:
"Not too bad. The wait's over. It's a confidence boost, just try to produce more."
"Five goals is good, we had a lot of chances when we didn't score tonight but it was nice in the first period especially. The goals that we did score was kind of what we were preaching, going toward the net, getting a tip," said head coach Greg Powers.
onward to victory ?? #BeTheTradition /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/pMWGcPKlE2
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 22, 2022
Colorado College scored first in the Friday night match with a goal five minutes into the first period, but the second half of the frame was all ASU. Demetrios Koumontzis scored the first of three straight Sun Devil goals on the man-up opportunity and evened the game at one at the 7:09 mark. Robert Mastrosimone notched a goal of his own 13:15 into the game thanks to assists from Lukas Sillinger and Josh Doan. Koumontzis again lit the lamp for the second time with 40 seconds remaining in the period to give ASU a two-goal cushion headed into the first intermission. ASU's 16 shots were the most in a period this season, and the seven from CC were the fewest allowed thus far this season until CC recorded just six in the third period.
Mastro from deep
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 22, 2022
ASU 2 | 1 CC
6:45 left in the 1st pic.twitter.com/rfqO7hIdyb
ASU picked up right where they left off with Ryan Alexander netting his first goal in the maroon and gold just 1:46 into the second frame. A five minute major on Mastrosimone and offsetting roughing calls had the Devils on a penalty kill midway in the second period. The PK stood strong for four minutes but CC picked up their second goal of the game with a minute left in the man-advantage. The Tigers reversed roles with a goal in the final minutes of the second period to pull back within one headed into the third period.
first of many for Ryan Alexander ??
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 22, 2022
ASU 4 | CC 1
18:14 left in the 2nd pic.twitter.com/uR17nzO4o3
Jack Jensen was called for slashing at 9:47 in the third but the Sun Devil PK managed their fifth kill in six opportunities. Colorado College pulled its goalie with 90 seconds remaining and Jack Judson snuck an empty net goal to seal the 5-3 Sun Devil win.
the OG mullet maniac ??@kingtoonies /// #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/IcHZo9Cb8i
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 22, 2022
ASU goes for the sweep against Colorado College tomorrow, October 22 and has the chance to improve to .500 on the season. The puck drop again is for 7:00 pm, and will be broadcast on Pac-12 Insider.
QUOTES:
Arizona State Head Coach Greg Powers
Opening Statement:
"Five goals is good, we had a lot of chances when we didn't score tonight but it was nice in the first period especially. The goals that we did score was kind of what we were preaching, going toward the net, getting a tip. The power play goal was huge for us to get off the rough start there and even Mastrosimone's goal. Last weekend, (Josh) Doan was cutting back and filling behind and drove the middle and crossed the line of goalies sight and that's why it went in so we need pucks and bodies in the net, we did it tonight and they got rewarded."
On Demetrios Koumontzis speed on the ice tonight:
"He (Koumontzis) was the best player on the ice tonight, no doubt about it. He was the best player on the ice in every way and he came here too young at ASU but he's coming into his own. He's a hell of a player and he's just coming into his own and he'll have a big year for us."
On the team's penalty kills tonight:
"Yes it was good, but it was frustrating to not get out of the five-minute penalty. They did a good job sticking with it. They got back in the game because of it since we had a big kill in the third, I don't think they got a shot so I'm really proud of those guys."
On the different between the first & second unit on the power play:
"They did, they were keeping things simple and they're not forcing things and executing the simple puck touches that the first unit isn't. It's good, it's why you need two good units, the second one picked us up tonight and it's what team wins are all about."
On if there was a shift In momentum in the second period:
"It was a five-minute major, that's what happened. We felt like if we finished and played the right way, like we did in the third period, the third was a clinic on how to close out that game. But I think they had one really good chance where they hit that post and it was a perimeter shot. We put on a clinic on how to close a game so I'm really proud of our guys for that. But when you go up three goals you have to play the rest of the game we did in the third. Disciplined hockey, pucks out, pucks in, tight checking and that's what we did so we have a lot of good film to go too when closing out a game and how to play with a three goal lead. The penalty that Mastrosimone took we just can't have, we can't have a senior take that penalty, but he'll bounce back and the boys bailed them out."
On what he told the team once it got to 4-3:
"After the first period the message was to stay out of the box, get pucks out, get pucks in and we did the exact opposite. Sometimes it's what college kids do and sometimes they have to learn the hardway. I went In after the second period and said 'maybe now you'll listen to me and do exactly what to do.' Again, it was a good team win, credit to Colorado College for bouncing back and never giving up to put us on our heels in the second period and could've easily tied it up if TJ (Semptimphelter) wasn't sharp. They're doing a hell of a job with that program and it's going to be a good game tomorrow."
On balance within the lineup:
"Just switching things up a little bit, (Tucker) Ness is going to be really good. His puck touches are good and he's got some offensive flare to his game that I think could benefit Timmy. Murch and (Ethan) Szmagaj are that shutdown pair that you need. I liked how it went tonight, I thought the D was good even (Jacob) Semik on our third goal getting shots through and Koumoontzis getting shots through the net and he did a pretty good job of that tonight."
On Jackson Niedermayer being a threat on the blue line:
"Maybe realizing that his Dad is a hall of fame defensemen. We needed some guys back there that could move pucks out with their feet and add a little bit form the back. He's still learning, he made a few mistakes tonight but he did a lot good things, he can shoot a puck and get up in the play. He's such a gifted skater with great edges and power. He's going to get better and better and better, he'll make some mistakes but we'll live with them."
On the changes defensively:
"I thought the third period, being up a goal we held them to six shots with one scoring chance, I thought defensively we were fine tonight. They didn't have any odd man rushes and we took a five-minute penalty, it put us on our heels and it gave them momentum. It looked like we were going to kill it off if we got one more clear, but we didn't and just that one goal gave them the momentum that they needed and it almost brought them all the way back."
On getting a win on Saturday:
"Yes, this is the third Friday that we've won in a row. We won at Bemidji, against Colgate and now tonight. The message was remembering the pain, remember the hurt losing in this building last Saturday to use that fear to motivate us to not feel that tomorrow. Hopefully we can enjoy our Saturday night, that's the message. We have to learn from the previous three Saturday's to pull off a sweep. It's hard to sweep in college hockey. You look across the board every weekend it's so hard to do, it's the nature of what's we do and when you play a team back-to-back nights you never want to go home with two losses but it's staying intent, focused and we got away with getting away with our game tonight but I think that will keep our attention for tomorrow."
On moving on to tomorrow and beyond:
"It's using last Saturday, using the fear of how we felt. I remember walking out of here how bad we felt and our guys were devastated. We want to be really good in Mullett and giving people a reason to come back and support us and the best way to do that is win. We got to find a way to come out tomorrow and it has to be our best effort of the year."
Demetrios Koumontzis:
On what he did to get things going:
"Honestly, just take my game to the next level. Everyone's gotta play their part to help us win games and I know I can help do a lot of work there. I just came tonight focusing on doing whatever I can to play my game and it showed a little bit more tonight."
On being on the attack tonight:
"I think I can use that to my advantage, and I need to do it consistently so tomorrow night will be a good test to see if I can continue that.
On setting the tone with four straight goals:
"It was huge. Everyone knows last Saturday's loss was a big one. No one saw that coming and it hurt a lot so we knew we had to come out hard tonight and we did that. The second period we kind of got away from our game but we got back to it in the third period and that's a good thing leading into tomorrow."
On carrying Friday wins to Saturday:
"You just do the same thing. You prepare the same way. You don't get comfortable. I think that was something… there were a lot of jitters last week with the new rink and all the fans but now it's no excuse. We got 5,000 fans behind us and we have to use it to our advantage. Not be scared about it. Not be too comfortable about it either."
On his impact after his surgery last season:
"It's just good to be back. No one likes missing games, especially being injured for a long period of time. There's a long stretch of rehab and getting ready for this season this summer. It's just good to be back and doing what I can to help the team win."
On the second unit finding success:
"I think it's hard for them (the first unit). There's a lot of pressure being the first unit, so a lot of that's not on us. We just get out there and we're a little more free with it. We work off each other. They build some momentum, we get out there and we get a goal for the team. That's what's important. It's gonna come for them."
Ryan Alexander:
On handling big minutes and his biggest attributes:
"Hard work. No matter what you do you could always rely on hard work and that's what I try to bring to the table every game… it's been fun."
On keeping his first goal puck:
"I did. It took a while to find it but I got it… kind of running around asking people (for it)."
On the feeling of his first goal:
"Not too bad. The wait's over. It's a confidence boost, just try to produce more."