Icecats fall to ASU for record fourth straight time

With their postseason chances on the line, the Icecats stormed back to tie Arizona State 6-6 with just over nine minutes left in the third period in Phoenix Friday night.

But it wasn't to be as the Ice Devils scored once more to win the game, 7-6.

Arizona (9-10-1) is ranked 11th in the country with only two more games to play before the national tournament bids are announced. Only the top eight teams advance.

Icecat senior defenseman and co-captain Chad Dyjak said the Icecats may still have a slim chance since it appears that seventh-ranked Minot State may be declared ineligible.

"We're relying on a team to be ineligible to make the playoffs, and that's hard since we're not going to make it on our ability," Dyjak said.

Senior center and co-captain Ben Ruston recorded a hat trick, scoring two of his goals in the third period, including the tying score.

Dyjak said he and Ruston are disappointed that they may not get to advance to the postseason their senior year.

"It's more frustrating that our team has the ability to beat the best teams in the country, but we just haven't produced," Dyjak said.

Sixth-ranked ASU (11-7) beat Arizona for the fourth straight time this season, the first three victories occurred last semester.

The Ice Devils took a 3-0 lead a mere four minutes into the game, chasing Icecat sophomore goalie Mike Tesi off the ice. Freshman Joe Peplinski came in and held the Ice Devils off while Arizona launched its comeback attempt.

Freshman right-wing Marc Harris had two goals and freshman defenseman Kevin Baskel added one to complete the Icecats' scoring.

The Icecats' road trip continues with two games in Delaware against the No. 10 Delaware Blue Hens and ninth-ranked Towson State this weekend.