Beating any team nearly two dozen times is a difficult and impressive achievement, but when it comes against your in-state rival, it means a lot more.
The American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I ASU hockey team extended its current winning streak over the UA Wildcats to 22 games in a row this weekend.
The Sun Devils (25-4-2) squared off against the Wildcats (12-14-1) Friday night in the first of two games in Tempe.
UA jumped out to an early lead when junior defenseman Zack Waxenberg scored to put the Wildcats up 1–0. ASU then took advantage of its first power play of the night and tied the game up at one on sophomore forward Danny McAuliffe’s goal. The Sun Devils increased their lead after sophomore forward David Jantzie’s shot found the back of the net and gave ASU a 2–1 lead.
Great goaltending from senior Mark Schacker and a goal from junior forward Brett Prechel helped extend the ASU lead to 3–1 during the second period.
UA got back into the game in the third period after senior forward Brady Lefferts scored just 35 seconds into the period.
Sophomore forward Kale Dolinski scored a goal a few minutes later to restore the Sun Devils two-goal lead at 4–2.
UA scored another goal with 12:42 remaining in the period, but tough defense by the Sun Devils preserved the lead and gave the team a hard earned 4–3 victory.
After clinching the inaugural Cactus Cup, the next game was a much smoother ride for the Sun Devils, who honored seniors Jason Maltese and Mark Schacker before the game.
“(Schacker is) the greatest goalie in ASU hockey history,” coach Greg Powers said.
Maltese scored first for ASU, beating the UA goalie stick side midway through the first period.
The second period was very kind to the Sun Devils, as they went on a scoring tear. Junior forward Patrick Rogan, freshman defenseman Kyle Hughes and Dolinski all scored early in the period to help build a 5–0 lead.
Following a UA goal, McAuliffe and Maltese scored for the Sun Devils with under two minutes left and increased ASU’s lead to 8–1.
Midway through the third period, Maltese scored his third goal of the game, earning a hat trick in his final game at Oceanside Arena.
“We got a talented team,” Powers said. “When we start clicking and they start feeling good about themselves, we build a nice cushion, then it goes.”
Maltese was modest after his excellent performance in the blowout.
“Really, just the puck kind of just ended up in the net,” he said. “I think I had 15 shots on net and some of them were bound to go in.”
The Sun Devils’ next series is on the road this Friday and Saturday against Rhode Island.
Reach the reporter at talopez3@asu.edu
Click here to subscribe to the daily State Press newsletter.
