LAKE PLACID, NY – Comeback complete as No. 13/14 Arizona State ice hockey (14-3-4) defeated the Clarkson Golden Knights, 5-2, after being down 2-0 in the middle frame. Four skaters combined for ASU's five unanswered goals, benchmarked by freshman Kyle Smolen's game-winning goal.
It is the first time that ASU has scored five unanswered goals for a victory after being down 2-0.
With a power play goal on Friday night, ASU's unit moves to third in the NCAA with an improved 28.9 percent success rate. ASU's 26 power play goals leads the country.
ASU plays No. 17 Cornell (6-4-2) in the Adirondack Winter Invitational championship game on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m. MST/7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Fox Sports 910.
GAME NOTABLES
First Period
It was slow moving for the Sun Devils in the introductory 10 minutes of play. Clarkson landed on the board at 8:55 to take the 1-0 lead. ASU successfully killed off a penalty assessed to Matthew Kopperud and looked to gain momentum from there. With three minutes left in the frame, Brandon Tabakin, who has only committed one penalty this season before Friday night, went to the box for slashing. ASU led shots on goal, 7-6.
Second Period
Two minutes into the period, ASU enjoyed its first power play opportunity of the night off a holding call on Clarkson. ASU wasn't able to convert and the Golden Knights scored their second goal to extend their lead, 2-0. Less than four minutes later, a perfectly placed shot by junior forward Jackson Niedermayer put the Sun Devils within one. He was assisted by sophomores Charlie Schoen and Ryan Alexander. A late penalty on Clarkson allowed ASU to end the frame with 1:40 left on a power play.
Third Period
Just 46 seconds into the period, sophomore Charlie Schoen netted a power play goal with assist from Matthew Kopperud. The goal tied the game. Fourteen minutes into the final frame, Kyle Smolen netted his third goal of the season with assists from Benji Eckerle and Ryan O'Reilly. As the 18-minute mark rolled around, the Golden Knights hit the panic button and pulled their goaltender. The choice put the nail in their coffin as captain Tyler Gratton scored an empty net goal with an assist from Brandon Tabakin. Kyle Smolen joined in on the action, netting his second of the night to push the final score to 5-2 with only 11 seconds left in the game.
It is the first time that ASU has scored five unanswered goals for a victory after being down 2-0.
With a power play goal on Friday night, ASU's unit moves to third in the NCAA with an improved 28.9 percent success rate. ASU's 26 power play goals leads the country.
ASU plays No. 17 Cornell (6-4-2) in the Adirondack Winter Invitational championship game on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m. MST/7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Fox Sports 910.
GAME NOTABLES
- Rookie Kyle Smolen tallied his first career two-goal night.
- Brandon Tabakin's +18 plus/minus is second-best in the country. He improved with +3 on Friday night. He has never finished a night as a minus this season.
- Captain Tyler Gratton boasts four goals in the last two games, after scoring an empty net goal in the third period of Friday night's game.
- With a goal and an assist, Charlie Schoen completed his third multipoint game of the season.
- Junior forward Jackson Niedermayer scored first for the Sun Devils for his second goal in the last three consecutive games. Niedermayer boasts three points in the last four-straight games.
- With an assist on Schoen's power play goal, Matthew Kopperud extends his point-scoring streak to three games (3G, 3A)
- Junior goaltender TJ Semptimphelter made his third consecutive and 17th start of the season. He completed the night with 20 saves.
- Sillinger continues to hold the number three spot in the nation's point scoring race (26 PTS)
First Period
It was slow moving for the Sun Devils in the introductory 10 minutes of play. Clarkson landed on the board at 8:55 to take the 1-0 lead. ASU successfully killed off a penalty assessed to Matthew Kopperud and looked to gain momentum from there. With three minutes left in the frame, Brandon Tabakin, who has only committed one penalty this season before Friday night, went to the box for slashing. ASU led shots on goal, 7-6.
Second Period
Two minutes into the period, ASU enjoyed its first power play opportunity of the night off a holding call on Clarkson. ASU wasn't able to convert and the Golden Knights scored their second goal to extend their lead, 2-0. Less than four minutes later, a perfectly placed shot by junior forward Jackson Niedermayer put the Sun Devils within one. He was assisted by sophomores Charlie Schoen and Ryan Alexander. A late penalty on Clarkson allowed ASU to end the frame with 1:40 left on a power play.
He shoots ?? He SCORES ??@jniedermayer27 /// #BeTheTradition
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 30, 2023
?? ESPN+ https://t.co/bR0uO2WgxX pic.twitter.com/LIDf7uuNLb
Third Period
Just 46 seconds into the period, sophomore Charlie Schoen netted a power play goal with assist from Matthew Kopperud. The goal tied the game. Fourteen minutes into the final frame, Kyle Smolen netted his third goal of the season with assists from Benji Eckerle and Ryan O'Reilly. As the 18-minute mark rolled around, the Golden Knights hit the panic button and pulled their goaltender. The choice put the nail in their coffin as captain Tyler Gratton scored an empty net goal with an assist from Brandon Tabakin. Kyle Smolen joined in on the action, netting his second of the night to push the final score to 5-2 with only 11 seconds left in the game.
?? YOU WERE WARNED ??@charlieschoen23 /// #BeTheTradition
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 30, 2023
?? ESPN+ https://t.co/aLkvjpKJZq pic.twitter.com/tTlprSmLsT