Sun Devils sweep Icecats with 4-2 win
A loss is never a team's ultimate goal, but the UA Icecats have plenty of positives to take from last night's 4-2 defeat at the hands of Arizona State at Tucson Convention Center.
"We can build on what we did today, that's what we're looking for," UA head coach Leo Golembiewski said after the team's second defeat in as many days.
The Icecats showed ASU a new look one night after the same Sun Devil squad beat them 8-1, as defenseman D.J. Pelletier, left wing David Cwik, and goaltender Bryan Aronchick made their first starts.
The game's first 16 minutes were a stalemate as Aronchick stopped nine ASU shots before the first goal was scored.
With 3:48 left in the period, ASU defenseman Brandon Bowden scored a power play goal after two Aronchick saves.
ASU forward Ray Corey follwed Bowden's goal at 2:32 of the first, off assists by Paul Chadwick and Weston Pongracz.
Aronchick made 12 of his 32 saves in the first, but the Icecats found themselves in the same position as the previous night - scoreless and trailing. ASU outshot the 'Cats 14-4 in the opening period.
Unlike Monday night, however, UA came into the second period with more intensity. Aronchick continued his solid work in the net, stopping two Sun Devil breakaways early in the frame.
Midway through the period, Arizona cut the lead in half when right wing Tim Wochok scored on an assist from Scott Marshall and Doug Wilson.
"I was really impressed with Timmy Wochok tonight," Golembiewski said.
ASU's Corey had an answer though, scoring his second goal of the night a minute later and returning the deficit to two.
Tempers on both sides flared the remainder of the second. Arizona was hit with five penalties the period's final five minutes, while Arizona State suffered four in that time.
UA center Mickey Meehan and defenseman Anthony Capone and ASU's Pongracz were ejected with game misconducts for fighting.
"It's always tough playing without your No. 1 center," Golembiewski said of Meehan's ejection, adding that the remaining Icecats stepped up in the center's absence.
The final period opened with a quick ASU goal by forward Ryan Esner, putting the Sun Devils ahead 4-1.
The team's defenses battled, and the penalty minutes piled up on both sides the remainder of the third. Overall, Arizona was hit with 11 penalties, while ASU received nine.
David Cwik scored an Icecat goal with three minutes remaining, ending the game with a 4-2 score.
"I'm really impressed with some of these guys," Golembiewski said. "I'm happy with how they played tonight."