North Dakota Sweeps Arizona State In Tempe Territory

By: Faith Wick

TEMPE, Ariz.- The Arizona State Sun Devils hosted North Dakota for the second night in a row, in a heated showdown. Both teams wanted this victory more than ever, but North Dakota found themselves skating away with the win. The final score of the game was 5-3. 

“Tonight, our guys just got gassed. Especially on the penalties,” ASU head coach Greg Powers said.

Maroon and Gold fell short during the first game of the series, facing the Fighting Hawks. Jan. 23, UofND defeated the Sun Devils 7-4, leaving a bitter taste in the Sun Devils’ mouths. ASU will finish the at-home series, 0-2. North Dakota will travel back, taking home a 2-0 series record.

“They are a great team, they could easily be a National Championship team. They definitely have it in them,” Powers said. 

Arizona State Starts Hot

Arizona State came out fired up to start the first period. Scoring almost immediately 2 goals to take an early lead. Sophomore defenseman Brasen Boser was the first to find the back of the net for the Sun Devils. Just moments later, junior forward Sam Alfano scored for Maroon and Gold. This was crucial for ASU to attempt to take power over the Fighting Hawk. Although North Dakota had different plans when it came to scoring. Freshman defenseman Keaton Verhoeff scored while the Fighting Hawks were facing a power play. 

While the teams continued to battle, the second period showed how badly both teams wanted this win. The Sun Devils found the perfect opportunity to score while in power play.

Sophomore forward Logan Morrell took a devious shot at the net and added another point to the scoreboard. As the final seconds of the period began to tick down, North Dakota took advantage of what they had left. Defenseman sophomore Andrew Strathmann scored with 22.5 seconds left in the second period. The crowd was left absolutely astonished by the quick goal from Strathmann. 

Late struggles end devils hopes

The final period was a constant battle between the Sun Devils and the Fighting Hawks. With constant fights, puck battles, and adrenaline rushes, UND got the job done. Within the first minute of the third period, North Dakota scored immediately. Forward freshman Will Zellers tied the game up 3-3.

This was the closest score UofND was in reach of in the game. That was the truth until forward senior Dylan James scored with under ten minutes to go in the game. The Fighting Hawks sought their first lead in the game as the Sun Devils trailed 4-3.

To ice the game once more for the Fighting Hawks. They scored on a powerplay with under 3 minutes left to go in the game. Forward senior Ben Striden, the assistant captain, took the shot to end the game. 

ASU looks ahead as they will travel to Colorado College to take on a two-game series starting Friday.