TEMPE, Ariz.– Coming off a close win from earlier in the year, Arizona State University (11-7-1-2 ) aimed to replicate a similar performance against Colorado State University (5-20) in their rematch. ASU came out to a quick lead and held it all the way to the end, dominating 8-1.
“We can't play down to their level,” ASU’s Brady Sisto said after the game.
ASU dominated puck control early in the game, handling offensive possession for most of the first period, with 22 shots on goal compared to CSU’s 7.
With 16:35 left in the first period, Ethan Sohmer scored unassisted to get the Sun Devils on the board early.
CSU did a great job defensively, denying ASU any easy looks and forcing the Sun Devils to take tough shots. With a continuous effort from the Rams, they never let up.
A power play for CSU with 10:45 left in the first period wasn't enough to result in a score. ASU's defense did a great job keeping the puck away from the defensive side.
Logan Warfield of the Rams mishandled a pass, resulting in a turnover, but goalie Cross North made two consecutive saves against ASU forwards.
Soon after, ASU regained possession, and with 7:56 left, Jack Merkosky fired a laser, assisted by Sisto, to increase the lead to 2-0.
With just 2:47 left in the first, ASU continued to pound the offense, and forward Ethan Bellettini added to the tally, assisted by Jack Haddock and Matthew Kimball, to bring the lead to three.
CSU’s Carson Petz brought relentless forecheck for the Rams, chasing down nearly every puck dumped into the ASU defensive zone.
Petz also emerged as the most physical Ram, not afraid of contact and letting ASU’s defense hear it with a bit of trash talk.
To start the 2nd period, the Rams' Ayden Schmidt got a one-on-one look but missed, soaring the puck over the goal. Schmidt showed off his skills with a slick move on ASU’s defenders to create a great look, but to no avail.
CSU failed to capitalize on its three power play opportunities in the period. This led to ASU controlling the puck on the offensive side, which made it easy for the Sun Devils to keep the game out of reach.
CSU did a better job handling the puck later in the 2nd period, keeping control and putting up 11 shots on goal. The Rams' pacing kept them in reach going into the final period down, 3-0.
The 3rd period consisted of lots of garbage-time scoring; the Sun Devils scored an astounding 5 goals. Within 20 seconds of a power play starting, Ethan Sanders scored at the 18:37 mark, starting a hot streak for the Sun Devils that continued for the rest of regulation.
The Rams got on the board late when Luke Hanson put in a shot with an assist from teammate Schmidt.
“It's really nice to have a loyal, loving family out at the games to support,” CSU’s Nate Sulkess said. “It drives us to win for sure.”