Junior forward Sam Murphy (24) scored a crucial goal in Friday night's victory over Utah. (Alyssa Colwell / Inferno Intel)
Arizona State women’s hockey returned to action Friday after a two-week break. The rust from the layoff was evident in the opening period, but the Sun Devils (2-1-0) overcame an early deficit to defeat Utah 3-2 at Mountain America Community Iceplex.
A third period powerplay goal from senior defenseman and assistant captain Sami Lutsch gave the Sun Devils a late lead.
It was enough to secure the win over the Utes (2-1-0) in the first WWCHL conference game for both clubs.
“There’s always a little bit of nerves when you revisit a team after a while,” Lutsch said. “And I think that showed in the first period. We were playing at their level instead of controlling our game.”
ASU defeated Maryville 2-1 in its previous game. It was a cathartic win after dropping its season opener to the Saints the night before. The bye week prevented any momentum from carrying over.
Just under two minutes into the game, Utah took an early 1-0 lead. Sophomore forward Anita Kistner beat Sun Devils sophomore goalie Quinn Eatinger top shelf on the Utes first shot of the game. ASU missed passes and committed turnovers, but controlled play for the remainder of the period.
“Our start was a little slow,” ASU head coach Lindsey Ellis said. “It’s a pretty young team that we have. We can use this as a learning experience and move on.”
The Sun Devils generated an early shot and time of possession advantage that it would never relinquish. Junior forward Sam Murphy eventually tied the game 1-1 with a quick wrist shot from the left circle with 6 minutes remaining in the first period. It was Murphy’s first goal of the season.
Three minutes later, sophomore forward Breanne Powell scored on the Sun Devils first power play opportunity to give ASU a 2-1 lead. It was Powell’s first goal as a Sun Devil.
“It was a tough battle today,” Powell said. “But at the end of the day, we pulled it together, and I got my first goal, which felt really nice.”
The Sun Devils carried its lead and 18-6 shot advantage into the second period. 20 seconds in to the frame, Murphy delivered a vicious check to a Utah forward and was penalized for roughing.
“I was going for the puck,” Murphy said. “I’m a big strong girl. A lot of my penalties are what coaches tell me are big girl penalties. I’m not going to change my game just because the player is weaker than I am.”
Utah also capitalized on its first power play. Utes forward Molly Murphy scored 17 seconds into the man advantage to tie the game 2-2.
ASU was plagued by three penalties in the period. The Sun Devils controlled the pace of play and dominated shots 35-13, yet the game was tied entering the final period.
“A lot of times, we were shooting at their chest,” Ellis said. “That’s not going to put the puck in the net.”
Kistner led Utah with a goal and an assist in the game but committed a costly cross-checking penalty six-and-a-half minutes into the third period.
Sam Murphy won the ensuing faceoff draw back to senior forward and team captain Elle McKenna. Mckenna circled around to the slot and fired the puck on net. Lutsch put home the rebound to give the Sun Devils the deciding 3-2 lead. It was Lutsch’s first goal and point of the season.
“I’m feeling really good,” Lutsch said. “It was a good energy boost for all of us to finish up the game and show that we’re best in the west.”
The Utes arrived in Tempe at 7 a.m. Friday after a long bus ride from Salt Lake City. Expect the team to play more desperate and aggressive in game two of the series.
“We’ll let it sting for a little bit,” Utah head coach Randy Standt said. “We’ll rest up and get back to it tomorrow. It was a full day of travel. Tomorrow, we’ll be rested.”
The Sun Devils had a clear talent advantage but spent much of the game playing down to the level of Utah. The team will need an improved effort to earn a series sweep.
ASU hosts Utah again at MACU Iceplex Saturday at 7:35 p.m MST.