ACHA D I Hockey: ASU wins home opener against UNLV 5-3 to remain undefeated
ASU junior center Sean Phillips takes a first period faceoff in its home opener against WCHL rival UNLV at Mountain America Community Iceplex Thursday. (Chase Clemens photo/InfernoTV)
Tempe, AZ – ASU (4-0) never trailed in its home opener against WCHL conference rival UNLV (2-1). After getting outplayed in the first period, the Sun Devils regrouped to control the second and third periods to defeat the Rebels 5-3 in game one of a two-game series.
Nine Sun Devils freshmen made their home debut at Mountain America Community Iceplex Thursday. The young players instantly impacted the game. Freshman forward Trevor Kennedy scored on the first ASU shot of the game after the opening minute to make it 1-0 Sun Devils. Freshman forward Hunter Friesen followed up with his first career goal one minute and 17 seconds later to give ASU a 2-0 lead at 17:31.
“It's the fastest game I've played in,” Friesen said. “I'm just adjusting to that. I got my first goal tonight on my first shift here at home. I plan on chipping away and getting more goals and the wins will come.”
45 seconds later, Rebels senior defenseman Robert McCollom scored on his slapshot from the blueline to cut the deficit to 2-1 at 16:46. UNLV forward Cole Wyatt tied the game 2-2 three minutes later at 13:44.
UNLV dominated time of possession for the remainder of the period, thanks to three ASU penalties. The Rebels outshot the Sun Devils 18-5 after the first 20 minutes of play.
Sun Devils freshman goalie Chase Hamm regrouped and prevented UNLV from taking the lead.
“He's just steady Eddie,” ASU head coach Austin Cline said. “Nothing really affects him, and I think he found his game. He kept us in it.”
ASU began the second perioded shorthanded and successfully killed two more Rebel powerplays. UNLV would finish 0/5 on the power play.
Freshman forward Carter Newlin received freshman forward Matthew Gross’ pass from the slot and scored on a one-timer from the right faceoff circle to give ASU a 3-2 lead with 11:32 remaining.
The Sun Devils continued the pressure the rest of the period. Freshman forward Caden Butler tapped home a loose rebound in front of the net with 21 seconds left to give ASU a 4-2 lead after two periods.
“We were gripping our sticks a little tight in the first period,” said Newlin. “Some of the older guys helped us relax. They said we were good enough to be there. In the second and third period we came out like a whole new team.”
The Sun Devils outscored the Rebels 3-1 and outshot UNLV 31-20 in the second and third periods. ASU was more disciplined and only had two minor penalties after the first period.
The third period was a tight, defensive game. It took over six minutes for the first stoppage of play. It took another six minutes for the next goal.
Sun Devils senior forward Alex Tilmon scored on a one-timer in front of the net with 7:23 remaining to give the Sun Devils a 5-2 lead and put the game out of reach. Wyatt scored his second goal of the game for UNLV to make it 5-3 with 2:29 left.
“We were committed to blocking shots and getting in lanes,” Cline said. “We worked on it all week. We need to be willing to sacrifice our bodies and the boys bought into that. We put the pressure on them, and we didn't give them too much.”
All four of ASU’s lines scored. Sun Devils freshman contributed four of the team’s five goals and Ham finished with 32 saves.
ASU hosts UNLV Friday at MACU Iceplex for the final game of the series. Puck drop is set for 3:30 p.m. (MST).