TEMPE – Sun Devil Hockey picked up its second-consecutive overtime victory when senior forward Cruz Lucius found the back of the net with 3:47 remaining in overtime to give Arizona State a 3-2 win over Ohio State in Mullett Arena on Friday night.
The Sun Devils' (6-8-1, 3-4-1 NCHC) late-game rally was sparked by former Buckeye Noah Powell. The sophomore forward flew down the right side of the ice - after a stretch feed from Brasen Boser - and ripped a shot past the Ohio State (5-8-0, 1-5-0 Big Ten) goaltender to knot things up at 2-2 with eight minutes left in regulation.
The Buckeyes generated the first few chances in overtime, but senior goalkeeper Connor Hasley remained as sharp as ever to keep things leveled.
After a huge save from Hasley, senior forward Bennett Schimek connected with sophomore forward Cullen Potter to start an eventual two-on-none breakaway rush. Potter and Lucius traded passes prior to Lucius burying the game winner into the wide open cage.
The trio of Lucius (1G, 1A), Potter (1G, 1A) and Schimek (2A) tallied six points combined, including one point apiece on the game winner to complete the ASU comeback and secure the win.
Game two of the weekend series is slated for Saturday, Nov. 29, with puck drop set for 5:00 p.m. MST. Fans can catch the finale on FOX10 Xtra, NCHC.TV, or Fox Sports Phoenix 910AM with Tyler Paley and Alex Coil on the call.
Game notables
- The Sun Devils won their second-straight overtime game in Mullett Arena, moving their overtime record at home to an impressive 13-4-5 since 2022.
- To add, the Sun Devils have now won back-to-back overtime games for the first time since Nov. 10-24, 2023, when ASU won a pair of overtime contests against then-No. 9 Providence (6-5) and then-No. 2 Denver (4-3).
- The Sun Devils recorded their first win of the season when trailing after two periods. ASU was previously 0-3-1 when trailing after 40 minutes.
- ASU recorded its first win over Ohio State at home and won their second straight over the Buckeyes.
- Lucius recorded his 60th career assist on Potter’s first period goal.
- Lucius’ two-point night (1G, 1A) marks his sixth multi-point game this season. The Sun Devils are 4-1-1 when the senior records two-plus points this season.
- In his 50th career NCAA game, Potter extended his point streak to six games after scoring his fourth goal of the season in the first period. In the six-game span, he’s scored six points (3G, 3A).
- Hasley recorded his first career assist in his 88th career NCAA game. It’s the second goalie assist by a Sun Devil this season after Samuel Urban recorded one against Notre Dame in the Ice Breaker Tournament on Oct. 10, 2025.
- Powell recorded his second goal of the year and his first in nine games since Oct. 10, 2025 against Notre Dame. Powell played for Ohio State as a freshman last season and tallied five points (2G, 3A)
- Schimek’s two assists notched his sixth multi-assist game of the season. The Sun Devils are also 4-1-1 when he records two-plus assists this season.
- The Sun Devil penalty kill held the Buckeye power play unit 0-for-2 on the night in the third period.
Period breakdown
First period
Ohio State struck first by taking a 1-0 lead with 15:00 remaining in the opening period. The Buckeyes were later called for hooking to give the Sun Devils their first power play opportunity. Potter cashed in on the man advantage with his fourth goal of the season to tie the game at one. Schimek and Lucius were credited for the assists on Potter’s second PPG of the season. The game remained tied at one entering the first intermission.
Second period
Ohio State managed to take a 2-1 lead after an even-strength goal with 7:39 left in the period. The Sun Devils were put on the power play for the third time of the night, but were unable to net the equalizer on special teams. ASU managed multiple shots on net in the waning moments of the frame but went into the intermission down one goal.
Third period
The Sun Devils managed to neutralize two Buckeye power plays halfway through the period, ultimately keeping the one-goal deficit. ASU was put on its own power play with nine minutes in regulation but couldn’t convert. However, Powell slotted his second goal of the season to tie the game at two with 7:03 in regulation. Boser and Hasley were credited with the assists on the equalizer as play then headed into OT, knotted up at 2-2.
Overtime
Less than two minutes in, Potter and Lucius had a rare two-on-none opportunity, where Lucius buried his second game-winning goal of the year for the Sun Devils to take the win.
Quotables
Arizona State Head Coach Greg Powers
On tonight’s win
“It was a gritty, gutty win for us. I felt like we deserved it. We did a lot of really good things tonight, we just couldn’t seem to find the back of the net. It felt like one of those games where we’re doing a lot of things right, getting a lot of really good grade As, getting a lot of good looks. Their goalie made some big saves, and we missed some tap-ins, but we found a way. It was a nice blue-collar goal by Noah Powell to tie it up. Then Hasley had the big save there in overtime, and we got the big one.”
On the physicality matchup
“We were physically really good. We had some big hits in the forecheck. Tucker brought a really good physical presence for us in the back end. That Morrell line was physical, and they were committed to getting pucks in behind them and hunting pucks. Noah Powell had some big hits, Logan Morrell had some big hits, and Sam Alfano had some big hits. The identity guys that we need to continue to play with that identity did a really good job for us tonight.”
Senior Forward Cruz Lucius
On his game-winning goal
“It was just a good stop from Schimek. They were thinking about the goal there, and I guess so are we. Then, me and Pottsy 2-0, it’s tough because you don't know whether you want to be a little bit unselfish or not. I just saw the five-hole kind of open, and then just shot as hard as I could in there.”
On continuing to be confident going into overtime
“I think it’s just really staying confident. Really, all of our games, even the losses, we’ve really been in it. The bottom line is finding ways to get in the back of the net. We’ve had some really good goaltending, the past few games from Hasley, and we got two really good goalies. I mean, it’s just really being confident and coming together as a team even if we’re down.”
On coming back from having surgery last season
“It’s good. Getting surgery is such a hard thing, and mentally it’s really challenging. The people who helped me, and I mean the staff, were with me through it all. I always say I wasn’t proud of my season last year. So over the summer, it was focusing on what I can do now and how I can come back and be the best player I can. Having the staff helped me get the confidence back. Obviously, I have to get my own confidence before other people can help me do that. I would say they were such a big piece of it, and obviously, my family too, a big help for me.”