Sophomore forward Michael Cummings wrestles with Minot State opposition for the puck earlier in the season. Cummings tied No. 6 Lindenwood in the final 34 seconds on Jan. 17, 2015, but it wasn't enough, as the Sun Devils fell in a shootout. (Photo by Mario Mendez)A game that started uneventful quickly turned exciting, but No. 1 ASU (25-3-1) fell to No. 6 Lindenwood (11-9-3) after losing in a shootout.
Both teams came out extremely strong trying to be the first on the scoreboard, and ASU did that. Within the first 10 minutes of the game, the Sun Devils took the 1-0 lead with a goal from sophomore forward Sean Murphy off Liam Norris’ assist.
Lindenwood was not able to score in the first period despite its power play after a penalty was called on sophomore forward Chris Burkemper. The main reason the Lions weren’t able to tie up the game in the first period was the outstanding goaltending from sophomore goalie Robert Levin.
The Sun Devils led shots on goal during the first period 12-9.
The second period proved to be one of the most uneventful periods of the Sun Devils’ season.
With this second period, it looked as if ASU would go into the final period still leading 1-0. That was, until Lindenwood sophomore forward Kevin Walters scored off the assist from freshman defenseman Jake Fairchild to tie up the game with 58 seconds left in the second period.
The final period was the complete opposite of the second one; it was then things got exciting. With nine minutes remaining, senior forward Rock Einersen pushed the Lions ahead with a goal off the assists from freshman forward Mike Lozano and sophomore defenseman Adam Newkirk. Lindenwood kept the lead up until the last 30 seconds of the game.
With a last minute goal, sophomore forward Michael Cummings tied up the game off another assist from Norris with 34 seconds left in the final period. Neither team was able to score within the last seconds of the game, which led to a five-minute overtime.
The overtime started with each team down a player after both received penalties for a fight breaking out after the end of the final period. With continued strong defense and saves from both goalies, the game remained tied 2-2 at the end of overtime forcing a shootout.
Freshman defenseman Ed McGovern started off the shootout and missed. The shootout continued with shots from Lozano, Cummings, Walters, and sophomore forward Tommy Cooney who were all unable to score.
The final goal came from Lindenwood’s sophomore defenseman Brandon Rumble who lead the Lions to victory.
ASU will be back home at Oceanside for the next couple of weekends taking on No. 7 Stony Brook (18-4) on Jan. 22 at 8:15 p.m. and No. 19 Arizona (9-13-3) on Jan. 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Three Stars
Third Star: Michael Cummings, ASU (one goal, tied-up the game last minute)
Second Star: Brandon Rumble, Lindenwood (one goal, game-winning shot)
First Star: Liam Norris, ASU (two assists)
Additional Information
- Lindenwood joins the group of only four teams (Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma, and Stony Brook) to have defeated the Sun Devils this season.
- Tonight’s goal was Cummings’ 16th of the season, giving him 23 total points in this season's 27 games.
Reach the reporter at kewens@asu.edu or follow @katlynewens on Twitter.
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