Arizona State hockey knocks off top-10 opponent

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State hockey continued its home stand as it welcomed No.9 Providence to the desert. The Friars were coming off being swept last weekend on the road against UMass.

As for the Sun Devils, they are coming off a home sweep of Alaska Anchorage.

Arizona State hockey battles Providence

First Period

As expected both teams came out and played very strong defense. Currently, Providence is No.1 in the nation in scoring defense and it showed why very early on.

It took almost five minutes until Arizona State had its first look in front when Matthew Kopperud and Brian Chambers had looks right in front of goalie Philip Svedeback.

The first ten minutes of the game were dominated by Providence as they controlled most of the possession despite not having many good opportunities.

Things heated up in the second half of the first period right away.

Just past the ten-minute mark of the period, Hudson Malinoski for Providence was called for a trip. The Sun Devils would get their first chance on special teams, but it would not last long.

Just eight seconds into the power play Lukas Sillinger for ASU was called for a hook. Arizona State’s power play chance was wiped away almost immediately.

Neither team had any real chance in the 4 v 4 period as the game moved along.

A few minutes after both power plays ended, the Sun Devils ended the scoreless drought. Alex Young took a wrist shot from the point that found its way behind Svedeback.

As soon as ASU put one in the back of the net they took all the momentum away from the Friars. After the quick score and momentum change things got even worse for Providence.

Jaroslav Chmelar was called for a hold and ASU once again had a power play chance. However, nothing came to fruition on the power play and the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Devils after the first period.

Second Period

The second period started off just the way the first period went… a Providence penalty. This one was called for tripping on Graham Gamache.

On this particular power play, it was evident just how good the Providence defense was. Arizona State had virtually zero chances in the offensive zone and even struggled to possess the puck for most of the two-minute period.

This put the ASU power play at 0-3 early on in the second.

After a few minutes, it was ASU’s turn to get in trouble and commit a penalty. Defensemen Ty Murchison was called for tripping. Providence wasted no time on the power play and scored right away, this goal courtesy of Austen May.

Just 4:25 later in the second period Providence scored yet again, this one courtesy of Hudson Malinoski.

After two quick goals Providence had a 2-1 lead and all the momentum in their favor. Fans in Mullett were getting a little uneasy, fearing a collapse. All the momentum was in favor of Providence and it seemed ASU was lagging behind for a good portion of the second period.

That was until Alex Young put yet another puck into the back of the net. Young tied the game at two with his second of the night. The crowd roared and the Devils were back… for now.

As soon as it seemed as though ASU had the momentum back Providence took it right back.

Ty Jackson for ASU was called for a trip and Providence went back on the power play. While Providence may not have scored with the special teams unit they had several great chances to do so. Jackson Niedermayer made a sprawling dive in front of a wrist shot from Providence saving a potential goal.

Shortly after the power play expired Providence kept chugging along and eventually found the back of the net. Graham Gamache redeemed his prior penalty offense by giving the Friars a late lead in the second period.

After 40 minutes, Providence headed to the locker room with a 3-2 lead.

Third Period

The third period was about as chaotic of a hockey game as you will see.

ASU had a power play chance carry over to start the period, but could not convert putting them at 0-6 on the night. Not great.

However, the defense continued to shine this time for ASU as Dylan Jackson laid out in front of his own net to stop a 2v1 in the ASU zone. Shortly after the great dive by Jackson, Tyler Gratton received a wonderful pass from Kopperud to tie the game at three a piece in the third period.

With the spectacular goal from Gratton and company to tie it, the game was in the balance from then on.

All of the energy in Mullett was building, it seemed as though the next goal would seal the win. Despite giving up the tying goal, Providence came out and played extremely hard to take the momentum back. The Friars seemed to have taken the momentum back as Chase Yoder put one in the back of the net, but ASU challenged the goal.

Following the review, it was determined that Providence was offside on the play and the goal would not count, a huge break for ASU. Thousands of Sun Devil fans cheered in relief.

Following the no-goal, the game became extremely physical with numerous penalties and shoving matches following whistles.

With roughly five minutes remaining in the game, ASU forward Kopperud took a big hit along the boards in the offensive zone. Initially, the officials did not stop play but were forced to when Kopperud did not get up. Kopperud remained on the ice for several minutes before skating into the locker room.

Postgame, Arizona State hockey coach Greg Powers said that Kopperud got the wind knocked out of him and came back into the game.

After all of the physicality and shoving matches, the score remained tied at 3-3 after 60 minutes of play.

The game would head for overtime.

Overtime in Providence vs Arizona State hockey

ASU had played five overtime games to this point in the season compiling a record of 3-1-1 to this point. Overtime went about the way every three-on-three hockey overtime goes, skating around with the puck.

The Sun Devils won the initial face-off and skated the puck around for the first two minutes of overtime. Providence decided they had enough and took possession inside ASU territory.

As he has done so many times, ASU goalie TJ Semptemphelter made a spectacular save to keep the game alive.

Following the great save, Dylan Jackson took the rebound and had a breakaway down into the other end of the ice. Dylan Jackson off the great pass from his brother, Ty, netted yet another OT winner to send Mullett Arena into a frenzy.

ASU now improves to 10-2-1 on the season and 10-1 at home on the year.

Arizona State hockey postgame press conference

Coach Greg Powers on the win:

• “A resilient effort and win by our guys to go into the third down and then a huge play by all three seniors….TJ was great so just proud of our guys for finding a way to win.”

Greg Powers on Alex Young

• “For him to pull through in the biggest moment he had this season is huge for his confidence and the team so we are very proud of him.”

Greg Powers on Providence

• “They are everything we thought they were and we knew that they are a great hockey team that will be in the NCAA tournament.”

Dylan Jackson on the chemistry with his brother

• “It feels good and it was great to get a big win against a great team like that so obviously it feels really good.”

Dylan Jackson on the game-winner

• It was kind of a weird play, everyone kind of stopped I even did a little bit and they didn’t blow the whistle and I thought iI could poke it around him so I kept going and I got lucky.”

Alex Young on grabbing the momentum back with his second goal

• ” I think that was big, we needed a momentum swing and we got one there and then for the rest of the game we played the right way, so that second goal was important and got us right back in the game.”

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