ACHA D I Hockey: UNLV scores 3 unanswered goals to defeat ASU 3-2, split series
ASU sophomore forward Ryan Robinson fires the puck during warm-ups before playing UNLV Friday at Memorial Credit Union Iceplex.
ASU (4-1) found itself in a familiar situation Friday. The Sun Devils built a two-goal lead in the second period, but UNLV (3-1) came back for the second consecutive game.
The Rebels scored three unanswered goals in the final two periods to defeat ASU 3-2 at Memorial Community Iceplex Friday.
“Not the ideal start you want,” UNLV head coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener said. “It's a good team when you can come back from a deficit for the second day in a row,” UNLV Coach Greener said.
ASU had a stronger start than game one. Senior forward Conner Tilmon missed an empty net opportunity to put ASU ahead in the opening minutes.
“The first period was great,” ASU Head Coach AustinCline said. “We came out ready to go. And we missed an empty net and hit a post in the first three minutes.”
The first period was deadlocked until a penalty by UNLV senior defenseman Jake Berry gave the Sun Devils its first power play of the game. ASU would capitalize. Junior forward Tyler Kiley Ram put home a rebound to give the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead with 2:09 remaining.
ASU freshman forward Caden Butler scored his second goal of the series 6:13 into the period to make it 2-0. Kiley-Ram had the assist, his 2nd point of the game. But Rebels senior forward Luke Burke scored less than two minutes later to cut the deficit to 2-1.
“We got a little passive on the puck and on the forecheck,” Cline said. “And that's really what killed us.”
Rebels assistant captain and junior defenseman Mattias Dal Monte laid a heavy hit on Sun Devils junior forward Ben Chase at center ice with 5:18 remaining. Chase appeared shaken up on the play. Dal Monte received a minor penalty for elbowing.
ASU could not capitalize on the power play this time. Rebels freshman forward Mason Kelly scored a shorthanded goal on the breakaway with 4:56 left to tie the game 2-2.
“Their shorthanded goal really kind of deflated our bench,” Cline said. “They've had three shorthanded goals in the last three games. So, credit to where credit's due.”
Sophomore defenseman Kade Olsen hit the post from a blueline slapshot 2:25 into the third period and nearly gave the Sun Devils the lead. It was the Sun Devils best scoring chance of the period.
Burke scored his second goal of the game to give UNLV a 3-2 lead with 14:13 remaining.
“I switched up the lines last night,” Greener said. “I put Burke with two freshmen. He's big heavy guy with two skilled guys, and his last shot was super skilled as well. It just seemed to work. They were probably our best line all night long.”
UNLV sophomore Caleb Strong’s slashing penalty gave ASU a man-advantage and an opportunity to tie game. But the Rebels earned their second shorthanded breakaway, but freshman goalie Chase Hamm stopped it to keep the Sun Devils in the game.
“Without Chase, that game could have easily gotten out of hand,” Cline said. “They put the pressure on us in the second period, and he gave us a fighting chance.”
ASU freshman defenseman Trenton White took an inopportune roughing penalty with 2:43 remaining. Rebels sophomore defenseman Jaxsen Wyatt’s tripping penalty negated UNLV’s man-advantage. The Sun Devils had a five-on-four advantage for the final 42 seconds. ASU was unable to pull Hamm until 13 seconds left and the Rebels held on to split the series and gave the Sun Devils its first loss of the season.
ASU hosts San Diego State University (1-4) Friday at MACU Iceplex 3:30 p.m. MST. UNLV will play Grand Canyon University (0-2) at home Friday at City National Arena at 7 p.m. MST.