CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona freshman forward Jeff Merritt leaves his feet after colliding with an ASU player last night during the Icecats' 2-2 tie against the Sun Devils at the Tucson Convention Center.

Just hours before the Arizona Iceceats were set to begin their 25th season, UA goaltender Bryan Aronchick was sick to his stomach, trying to recover from a bout with food poisoning.

But after the junior stopped 83 of 87 Arizona State shots during the team's two-game set this week, the visiting Sun Devils traveled back to Tempe, sick to their stomachs of seeing Aronchick's save totals continue to pile up.

"When you're down physically, you come back and make up for (it) mentally, and he was just mentally solid," said head coach Leo Golembiewski after No. 10 Arizona (1-0-1) and No. 18 ASU (5-3-1) skated to a 2-2 tie in the second of a two-game series at the Tucson Convention Center Arena last night.

Aronchick stopped 46 shots last night, including the only shot he faced in overtime.

The Narbeth, Penn., native was the team's star of the game for the second night in a row ÷ 24 hours removed from a 37-save performance that led to the Icecats' 4-2 Monday night win, and just 48 hours off of a bout with food poisoning.

"He played such a confident game," Golembiewski said. "He was mentally sharp for two games, which he usually is, but after being physically sick the last couple of days, he came back as was really as strong as could be."

ASU forward Kelsey Johnston started the scoring with a shorthanded effort midway into the first period, off an assist from Weston Pongracz.

UA sophomore forward Cole Dunlop tied the game with just over a minute to go in the opening period after Shaun Brooks pushed a centering pass from behind the net through the ASU crease. Dunlop had little trouble beating ASU goaltender Time Pine for the score.

After ASU retook the lead early in the second, Dunlop tied the score with his second goal of the game, coming with less than a minute to go in the second period. UA sophomore defenseman Eric Kowalek had the assist on the shorthanded goal, while Arizona defenseman Andrew Fredricks was serving a five-minute major penalty for high-sticking.

Arizona never trailed in Monday's game, despite being heavily outshot in the 4-2 victory. It was a different story last night, however, as the Icecats couldn't get over the hump, even with Aronchick's heroics.

CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore forward Brian Pollack wraps up an Arizona State player. Despite being outshot for the second straight game, the Icecats managed a tie with the Sun Devils to escape from the weekend unscathed.

"That was their ninth game, so they know where each other are more," Aronchick said. "That might be a good excuse, but I think we're still developing our team after our first two games."

The Icecats were outshot 48-23 last night and didn't register a single scoring chance in the five-minute overtime period. They couldn't capitalize on multiple power play chances on top of giving up the shorthanded goal to Johnston.

Arizona hits the TCC rink for practice this afternoon looking to improve its faulty power-play unit and solidify its defense in front of Aronchick. The team will be preparing for a pair of home games against Tennessee this weekend.

"There are some things we've definitely got to work on," Golembiewski said. "The power play killed us tonight."

The visiting Volunteers face off against the Icecats Friday and Saturday. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m.