For Sun Devil hockey, the seniors had their way in the season’s final game in Tempe.
ASU defeated Simon Fraser University hockey on Friday, 4-2, after the Sun Devils’ four seniors were recognized before the game. All four were joined by family after a physical, emotional ASU victory over the Clan.
“It was good to get a win,” head coach Greg Powers said. “We’ve (lost) once before (on senior night). It was, ironically, to U of A the year we won the national championship. And it’s something you never want to repeat. I’m glad that they got to go out with a win.”
Though the game was decided by just two goals, ASU outshot Simon Fraser 43-11, making it a rather uneventful night for senior goalie Rob Levin.
Not to mention, Levin waited through delays caused by fighting and penalties.
“I don’t know, pucks went in, but we won,” he said when asked if it’s difficult to face so few shots. “It’s alright.”
Though the night belonged to the seniors, the game’s final minutes stole the show. After multiple dust-ups occurred throughout the game, things really boiled over with a skirmish near the end of the third period. Emerging from the pile was – appropriately – senior defenseman Drew Newmeyer. He brought an SFU player down to the ground, holding him there in a bearhug.
With 1:44 to go, a fight breaks out. Probably the most intense melee I've seen for the Sun Devils this year. Three ASU players in the box
— Matt J. Layman (@mattjlayman) February 12, 2017
And three SFU players to the box, as well. Drew Newmeyer had a guy from SFU in a hold on the ground. https://t.co/VAOzahn8o9
— Matt J. Layman (@mattjlayman) February 12, 2017
“Yeah, I just couldn’t score, so I thought I’d try something else,” Newmeyer joked. “Yeah, I don’t know. Things happen, emotions get going. Maybe not the smartest thing to do, but it is what it is.”
Ultimately, ASU finished 2-for-7 on the power play and held the lead for the game’s final 41:11 of play. They exit their last game in Tempe with a sweep before their series on Feb. 24 against the US National under-18 team.
“If I had to pick one place to finish off my senior year, it’d be here,” said graduate forward Robbie Baillargeon, who transferred to ASU from Boston University this season. "I’ll never regret this decision to come here. It’s probably one of the best years of my life, playing hockey with this group of guys. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Reach the reporter at matthew.layman@asu.edu or follow @Mattjlayman on Twitter.
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