ASU hockey had a 2-0 lead after two periods as freshman David Jacobson was riding a shutout in net in just his second-career start.
The Sun Devils had been getting the better part of a chippy game that featured more than five different scuffles and were looking to "sweep" the exhibition series, which will not count on the records because Alberta is not an NCAA team.
But momentum shifted in the last 20 minutes of regulation, and Alberta scored two goals in 41 seconds to tie the game.
And just like Friday night, the teams were tied at the end of regulation and went to overtime. Also like Friday night, the two battled through overtime and the game officially ended in a tie. Tonight, however, Alberta got the best of the Sun Devils in a penalty shootout and won 3-2.
"(Alberta) is such a good team," said ASU head coach Greg Powers. "If you would've told me that we went into a shootout with that team two nights in a row, I would've taken it all day...there's a reason they're the two-time defending national champions up there (in Canada).
"They're just polished and older and that series just made us better, and that's what we hoped it would do when we scheduled it. It's disappointing, we blew a two-goal lead going into the third, but all we can do is use that experience to get better."
In a fast-paced first period, junior Ryan Belonger intercepted a pass in Alberta's zone and slotted it to give the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead at the 14:22 mark. ASU also outshot the Golden Bears six to three, and both teams went 0-2 in power play opportunities.
Things started getting chippy in the second period, which had three scuffles. The first one was started when Jordan Masters missed a shot and then was checked into the boards after the play. The third one broke out as time expired in the period.
Brock Krygier said the coaching staff was on the team about staying out of the mess.
"Obviously it's tough out there, you want to protect yourself and protect your teammates, but at the same time, you don't want to put the team down and have power plays against where they get an opportunity to get goals," he said.
It also featured another ASU goal, though. Jack Rowe scored on a nice pass from Ryan Stevens, who now has four points this season.
After healing from an injury suffered early in the year against UConn, junior goaltender Robert Levin started two-straight games. However, Powers decided to go with freshman David Jacobson in net on Saturday. He saved 43 shots.
"It's been awhile but I had a great time, I really enjoyed it and I think the guys really battled well in front of me," Jacobson said. "All around it was a great team effort."
Much of the Sun Devils' focus this year has been trying to improve on the power play. After another game this season without a power play goal — 0-6 on Saturday — Powers said that will be the focus heading into next week.
"If we can just get one tonight, then it's probably game over," he said. "We couldn't extend that lead, we had all the chances in the world to extend it to (3-0) and we couldn't do it. That gave them momentum, then they get a power play and they pop one, so that's how the game works. Our youth and inexperience is showing on special teams."
Among the bright spots Powers noted—Jacobson's play, competing with Alberta, winning a shootout—one positive statistical note is the third line combining for seven points in the series.
ASU travels to Troy, New York, next weekend for two games against RPI.
Reach the reporter at Justin.Toscano@asu.edu or follow @justintoscano3 on Twitter
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