Schimek extends point streak to five games as #15 Hockey falls to Augustana

SIOUX FALL, S.D. – In its first road contest of the season, No. 15 Sun Devil Hockey (2-3-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) was unable to win the series opener, 4-2 (EN), over Augustana (2-1-0, 0-0-0 CCHA) Friday night at Midco Arena. 

Going into the final frame tied at two, the Vikings found the game-winner halfway through the third period. The Sun Devils held a 2-0 lead early in the first period, but the Vikings scored four unanswered goals, adding an empty netter.

Bennett Schimek registered his third multi-point game of the season with a goal and an assist, and extended his point streak, netting one in all five games this season. 

The Sun Devils will look to secure a split against the Vikings tomorrow, with the game available to watch locally on Fox 10 Xtra at 4 p.m. MST and streamed on Midco Sports Plus. Additionally, coverage can be heard on Fox Sports 910 AM with Tyler Paley and Alex Coil on the call.

Notables

• Senior forward Bennett Schimek recorded his third multi-point game of the season and the 17th of his career with (1G and 1A) tonight.
• Schimek has recorded a point in all five games to begin the season and surpassed 80 career points on the assist to Alfano’s goal. His five-game point streak is tied for the longest of his collegiate career.
• Freshman Sam Alfano’s first-period goal is his second of the season and leads all freshmen on the team in goals scored.
• Cruz Lucius registered his first assist of the season and his second-straight game contributing a point. 
• Schimek led the team in plus/minus with +2, including a team-best five shots on goal.
• The Sun Devils went perfect on the penalty kill, going 6-of-6 on the night.
• Connor Hasley is three saves from surpassing 2,000 career saves in his collegiate career.

Period breakdown
First Period
The first five minutes saw plenty of action between both teams. Following a penalty kill, Sam Alfano lit the lamp to give ASU an early 1-0 lead. Anthony Dowd and Schimek were credited with the assist, helping the Sun Devils strike first. Three minutes later, Schimek captured a pass from Cruz Lucius and buried ASU’s second goal of the game as 11:50 remained in the opening period. Ty Nash was credited with his second assist of the year.

The Sun Devils managed to fend off two Viking power plays, including a 5-on-3 situation during the period. Eventually, ASU returned to full strength, continuing to disturb Augstana’s offensive attack. In the waning moments of the opening frame, the Vikings reduced the Sun Devils' lead to 2-1, with the frame ending in a 4-on-4 play.

Second Period
Play quickly returned to full strength, however Augustana tied the game at two, three minutes into the period. ASU managed to avert another Augustana power play, killing their fifth of the contest to return to full strength. With 6:32 in the frame, the Maroon and Gold fired a flurry of shots on goal while on the power play, but was unable break the 2-2 tie. 

The Sun Devils forced another Power Play with 1:35 left in the middle period, carrying 25 seconds of having a man-advantage into the third period. ASU managed to outshoot the Vikings 10-4 in the final nine minutes of the period.

Third Period
Returning swiftly to full strength, the Sun Devils remained aggressive on the offensive front, firing the period’s first five shots. After the Vikings fended off a Sun Devil power play, it was Augustana’s turn to go on the man advantage. Shortly after play returned to full strength, the Vikings took a 3-2 lead with 10:28 in regulation. Despite a slew of shots on net in the final five minutes, ASU was unable to find the equalizer as Augustana tacked on an empty net goal to seal the game.

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