Faiz Khan of ASU attempts to reclaim control of the puck during a game at Oceaside Ice Arena. ASU defeated the University of Arizona team 5-1. (Photo by Arianna Grainey)The Sun Devils knew they were in for a dogfight when UA came to town.
Friday’s duel with the Wildcats was exactly that. And when the last horn sounded, ASU (4-0) was able to come away with a 5-1 win, and extended its winning streak to 33 straight over its rival.
It was a very chippy, physical game. Both teams had numerous roughing and fighting penalties and the game even featured an ejection. ASU coach Greg Powers said he did what he could to keep calm and keep the focus on hockey.
"We're focused on winning hockey games," Powers said. "We don't get caught up in the BS."
Freshman forward Patrick Yudez was the first to light the lamp in the game, taking his own rebound off the UA goaltender in front of the net and put it behind him on the second attempt. Freshman forward Zach Holstrom was awarded his team-high seventh assists, and freshman defenseman Alex Temby his first.
After taking 3-0 lead about midway through the second period, ASU seemed to be on cruise control. With 4:31 remaining in that period, UA showed its first sign of life when freshman forward Grant Nicholson put the Wildcats on the board.
For the remainder of the second period, UA was in complete control, but was unable to add another goal. The period ended, and so did UA’s chance at getting back in the game.
Both teams traded shots in the third, before a perfect tic-tac-toe pass from a trio of freshman forwards on an ASU 3-on-1 break gave ASU a 4-1 lead. Holstrom scored the goal, with assists credited to Chris Burkemper and Yudez.
A scary moment happened with just under 13 minutes left in the third period. ASU Holstrom was checked from behind by UA junior forward David Rizk. Holstrom hit the ice and the ASU bench exploded in anger at Rizk. Holstrom had to be restrained and Rizk was given a game misconduct.
Senior captain Colin Hekle lived up to his captaincy Friday night. He was in the middle of seemingly every scrum, and when Holstrom went down, Hekle was the first to start jawing at the UA players, standing up for his teammate. He scored the game’s second goal in the first period.
"It was kind of blackout rage there more than anything," he said on Holstrom's hit. "So I didn't think of anything but yelling at the kid."
Powers agreed that Rizk should have been ejected.
"It was dirty, his back was clearly turned," Powers said. "We're just thankful the linesman caught it, and he made the right call. But it's hockey. It happens."
The Territorial Cup Series does not include hockey, as both schools play in the ACHA, not the NCAA. They play for the Cactus Cup, awarded to whichever school wins the season series. ASU leads 1-0 after Friday.
Same time, same place for ASU and UA on Saturday, a 7:30 p.m. start time at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe, and Hekle is chomping at the bit to play the Wildcats again.
"I love it," he said. "I come more intense for these games than any other game because of the rivalry."
Reach the reporter at justin.emerson@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @J15Emerson
