Quick Recap: ASU hockey beats Alaska Anchorage

TEMPE, Ariz. — ASU hockey welcomed the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves to town for a weekend series.

The Sun Devils are coming off of a split last weekend against now No. 3 Denver, while Anchorage is coming off a split against Robert Morris.

Here is a quick recap of tonight’s action.

Recap: ASU hockey survives Alaska Anchorage

First Period

One of the biggest issues for the Devils this season has been their starts to periods, and tonight was no different. The Seawolves came out quick having the first four shots of the game.

Arizona State goalie TJ  Semptimphleter kept the game in check as he always does. Eventually, the Devils got on the board first with a deflection by Ty Jackson after a Tim Lovell slapper at the point.

Not too long later, the Seawolves responded with one of their own, this one scored by Matt Allen. The puck deflected off several sticks and found its way into the back of the net.

Just a short time after the Seawolves got a two-minute minor for hooking and ASU would go on the power play. As they have done so many times this year, ASU found the back of the net yet again on the power play, this time via Tim Lovell.

Lovell with a goal and an assist propelled the Devils to a 2-1 lead headed into the locker room at the end of the first period.

Second Period

Before the popcorn had popped and the drinks were dispensed the Seawolves tied the game right back. 58 seconds into the third period Connor Marritt batted one out of the air and found its way past Semptimphleter.

Outside of the early goal, the first few minutes of the period were relatively quiet.

The quietness ended with the Seawolves committing yet another minor penalty, this one for hooking. Once again on the power play the Devils displayed their prowess and found the back of the net. ASU hockey’s all-time power play leading scorer Matthew Kopperud found the net on this one.

About halfway through the period, Semptimphleter covered the puck for a whistle and Seawolves forward Ben Anderson attempted to tackle Semptimphleter. The Devils players on the ice responded as expected to the move by Anderson, and proceeded to put him in a headlock.

That would set the tone for the rest of the period but no more goals were scored and the Devils took a 3-2 lead into second intermission.

Third Period

Once again, to start the period the Seawolves would light the lamp within the first 60 seconds. Marritt yet again had another spectacular goal to tie the game at three a piece.

The senior was one goal away from a hat trick and possibly one goal away from giving the Seawolves a huge win. Marritt and Co. almost acquired the go-ahead goal if it weren’t for Semptimphleter.

Semptimphleter made a diving save without a stick to keep the game nodded at three a piece. Once again it shows how elite of a talent he is.

After the sprawling save and losing his stick one of the ASU defenders gave up his stick and Semptimphleter made a save with a non-goalie stick, truly incredible.

With all of the momentum from the Semptimphleter save, the Devils attacked and lit the lamp courtesy of Charlie Schoen, an incredible wrist shot to give ASU the lead.

From then on the Devils played excellent defense and sealed the victory.

Postgame

ASU hockey wins game one of the two-game series 4-3.

Game two of the series will take place Sunday at 1 p.m. due to Sun Devil football being at home on Saturday.

With the win the Sun Devils improve to 8-2-1 and will look to go for the sweep Sunday.

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