TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State men's ice hockey team secured a split with the Boston College Eagles, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at Mullett Arena.
Ethan Szmagaj slapped in the go-ahead shot for Arizona State (10-11-0) with 6:00 gone in the third period on assists from Chris Grando and Ryan O'Reilly. Boston College had several chances on an empty net in the final minutes but could not navigate a path through TJ Semptimphelter.
The Sun Devil defense held BC to 0-5 on the penalty kill and earned one of their two goals with a man advantage. ASU's kill was perfect on the weekend against BC's power play unit which was ranked sixth in the country heading into the series.
The first period yielded no goals for either side, with 11 saves between the pipes from Semptimphelter.
In the second period, Arizona State earned its third power play of the contest on a holding call at 7:47. It proved their first successful go at the power play as Josh Doan sniped one in from the left side at 8:55. Lukas Sillinger and Tim Lovell notched assists.
Arizona State took the lead back for good on a right-side slap shot 6:00 into the third period from defenseman Ethan Szmagaj. It was his first of the season and second in two years as a Sun Devil.
Arizona States' defense held BC shotless for more than six minutes from 11:39-17:57 in the third period. The shot at 17:57 was disregarded by Semptimphelter, his 40th save of the game.
BC pulled their goalie with 1:34 to play and earned a penalty with 9.3 seconds left in regulation, but were unable to even it up, sending the Sun Devils to victory.
Arizona State is back in action after the new year for the Desert Hockey Classic, hosting Michigan Tech, Air Force and Boston University Friday and Saturday.
DESERT HOCKEY CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Friday, Jan. 7 at Mullett Arena
3:30pm - Air Force vs. Boston University
7pm - ASU vs. Michigan Tech
Saturday, Jan. 8 at Mullett Arena
3:30pm - Michigan Tech vs. Air Force or Boston University
7pm - ASU vs. Air Force or Boston University
GAME NOTES
QUOTABLES
Arizona State Men's Ice Hockey Head Coach Greg Powers
On the response from yesterday to win today:
"Just a good team win and a really good response from our guys. They wanted it tonight and they fought. They earned it… BC played well but TJ played better. It was just little things. Big face-off wins when we needed it, blocked shots and guys paying the price."
On importance of this victory
"Our team needed that win in the worst way and we got it. The big conversation after the second period was that nobody sweeps us here (on home ice). We aren't getting swept. I think we have a lot of things we can improve and we have a lot of hockey left, but I think there's a lot to be proud of. As a newer and emerging program, you beat Minnesota, North Dakota and Boston College in a season that says a lot about the direction that we're headed."
On Ethan Szmagaj's goal:
"That was huge. It's his first of the year and he's been playing really good hockey for us. He was really strong on his stick tonight and won a lot of battles."
On TJ Semptimphelter's 42 saves:
"Tonight,TJ's game was more controlled. His rebound control was better. He was the best player on the ice tonight and that's why we won."
Arizona State Men's Ice Hockey Goalie TJ Semptimphelter
On the final 9 seconds:
"We discussed it right before the faceoff that if Doaner (Josh Doan) won it clean that we were just going to hound it and cover it with whatever we got and we did that. All the boys were down and we got the job done."
On the team's performance tonight:
"I thought the guys responded really well tonight. Obviously last night wasn't really the game we wanted, but we met this morning with our coaches and I think everyone responded really well. I thought the work ethic was really high. We were getting back to taking hits and getting blocks and blocking shots, and that's the difference in those games and we came out on top."
On making multiple saves in a row:
"For me I'm just worries about stopping the next shot. It doesn't matter where it is or how many, I'm just worried about stopping the next one."
On heading into the Desert Classic with this win:
"This game was huge for getting the guys on a roll. We're going in expecting to win that tournament, so it's great to get the ball rolling now against Boston College. Obviously a great program and a great team. Every little win helps."
On the opportunity to play multiple teams in the Desert Classic:
"Its super important to just focus on that first game against Michigan Tech, and after that game then you prepare for the next ones. You take it one shift at a time and one game at a time, and worry about the next one when it comes.
Arizona State Men's Ice Hockey Defenseman Ethan Szmagaj
On his timely first goal of the season:
"The boys were buzzing. It just happened to be right place right time. I just saw the net. There were a lot of bodies in front, and I just took the shot. I'm happy it went in. The boys did a good job defending and got the big win."
On heading into the Desert Classic with this win:
"Like TJ (Semptimphelter) said, we just have to keep the ball rolling and I think we have it."
Ethan Szmagaj slapped in the go-ahead shot for Arizona State (10-11-0) with 6:00 gone in the third period on assists from Chris Grando and Ryan O'Reilly. Boston College had several chances on an empty net in the final minutes but could not navigate a path through TJ Semptimphelter.
The Sun Devil defense held BC to 0-5 on the penalty kill and earned one of their two goals with a man advantage. ASU's kill was perfect on the weekend against BC's power play unit which was ranked sixth in the country heading into the series.
The first period yielded no goals for either side, with 11 saves between the pipes from Semptimphelter.
In the second period, Arizona State earned its third power play of the contest on a holding call at 7:47. It proved their first successful go at the power play as Josh Doan sniped one in from the left side at 8:55. Lukas Sillinger and Tim Lovell notched assists.
THE CAPTAIN OPENS UP THE SCORING ??@JTDoaner19 /// #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/uCupWEfnBLASU was able to stave off a BC power play at 13:07. Semptimphelter sent aside four shots on net, including an acrobatic, stick-side dive during the two minute man-advantage for the Eagles.
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 31, 2022
SHEESH TJ ?? pic.twitter.com/wvsuaiea93
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 31, 2022
Arizona State took the lead back for good on a right-side slap shot 6:00 into the third period from defenseman Ethan Szmagaj. It was his first of the season and second in two years as a Sun Devil.
from wayyyy back ?????@SzmagajEthan /// #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/LCyDygRtTlThe Sun Devils navigated the fifth Eagles power play opportunity, coming at 9:32 in the third period, with three saves from Semptimphelter on a total of Eagle shots.
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 31, 2022
Arizona States' defense held BC shotless for more than six minutes from 11:39-17:57 in the third period. The shot at 17:57 was disregarded by Semptimphelter, his 40th save of the game.
BC pulled their goalie with 1:34 to play and earned a penalty with 9.3 seconds left in regulation, but were unable to even it up, sending the Sun Devils to victory.
Arizona State is back in action after the new year for the Desert Hockey Classic, hosting Michigan Tech, Air Force and Boston University Friday and Saturday.
DESERT HOCKEY CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Friday, Jan. 7 at Mullett Arena
3:30pm - Air Force vs. Boston University
7pm - ASU vs. Michigan Tech
Saturday, Jan. 8 at Mullett Arena
3:30pm - Michigan Tech vs. Air Force or Boston University
7pm - ASU vs. Air Force or Boston University
GAME NOTES
- Josh Doan's power play goal was his second on the man advantage this season and fifth of his career. It was also his sixth goal of the season.
- In fact, the game's opening goal was the 14th power play goal for ASU this season.
- TJ Semptimphelter made his 21st consecutive start in net. With 42 saves this afternoon, Semptimphelter notched five games this season with 40+ saves.
- In fact, his 42 saves were tied for his third-best at Mullett Arena this season. It is the second-straight day Semptimphelter earned at least 40 saves.
- It is the second this season Semptimphelter has set aside 40 shots in consecutive games.
- ASU entered the contest just 2-5-0 when tied after the second period, but snatched the win for their third such victory of the 2022-23 season. The Sun Devils are now 3-5-0 when tied after two periods.
- Arizona State improves to 8-4-0 in games where they score the first goal this season.
- The Sun Devils improve to 7-3 at Mullett Arena and have never been swept at Mullett Arena.
- BC was 0-5 with a man advantage due to the stifling Sun Devil special teams.
- Playing in his 47th career game and 21st of the season, Ethan Szmagaj's game-winning goal was his first of the year and second of his career.
QUOTABLES
Arizona State Men's Ice Hockey Head Coach Greg Powers
On the response from yesterday to win today:
"Just a good team win and a really good response from our guys. They wanted it tonight and they fought. They earned it… BC played well but TJ played better. It was just little things. Big face-off wins when we needed it, blocked shots and guys paying the price."
On importance of this victory
"Our team needed that win in the worst way and we got it. The big conversation after the second period was that nobody sweeps us here (on home ice). We aren't getting swept. I think we have a lot of things we can improve and we have a lot of hockey left, but I think there's a lot to be proud of. As a newer and emerging program, you beat Minnesota, North Dakota and Boston College in a season that says a lot about the direction that we're headed."
On Ethan Szmagaj's goal:
"That was huge. It's his first of the year and he's been playing really good hockey for us. He was really strong on his stick tonight and won a lot of battles."
On TJ Semptimphelter's 42 saves:
"Tonight,TJ's game was more controlled. His rebound control was better. He was the best player on the ice tonight and that's why we won."
Arizona State Men's Ice Hockey Goalie TJ Semptimphelter
On the final 9 seconds:
"We discussed it right before the faceoff that if Doaner (Josh Doan) won it clean that we were just going to hound it and cover it with whatever we got and we did that. All the boys were down and we got the job done."
On the team's performance tonight:
"I thought the guys responded really well tonight. Obviously last night wasn't really the game we wanted, but we met this morning with our coaches and I think everyone responded really well. I thought the work ethic was really high. We were getting back to taking hits and getting blocks and blocking shots, and that's the difference in those games and we came out on top."
On making multiple saves in a row:
"For me I'm just worries about stopping the next shot. It doesn't matter where it is or how many, I'm just worried about stopping the next one."
On heading into the Desert Classic with this win:
"This game was huge for getting the guys on a roll. We're going in expecting to win that tournament, so it's great to get the ball rolling now against Boston College. Obviously a great program and a great team. Every little win helps."
On the opportunity to play multiple teams in the Desert Classic:
"Its super important to just focus on that first game against Michigan Tech, and after that game then you prepare for the next ones. You take it one shift at a time and one game at a time, and worry about the next one when it comes.
Arizona State Men's Ice Hockey Defenseman Ethan Szmagaj
On his timely first goal of the season:
"The boys were buzzing. It just happened to be right place right time. I just saw the net. There were a lot of bodies in front, and I just took the shot. I'm happy it went in. The boys did a good job defending and got the big win."
On heading into the Desert Classic with this win:
"Like TJ (Semptimphelter) said, we just have to keep the ball rolling and I think we have it."