Icecats get revenge in sweep over ASU

Dan Kempner Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman leftwing Kevin Meehan (19) celebrates after his second goal Friday night in the 5-3 win against ASU at the TCC. Meehan was named player of the game after the fifth ranked Icecats added to their now-13 game unbeaten streak.

Last year the Sun Devils swept the season series, though they did later have to forfeit two of the wins, for the first time in the history of the two teams.

Saturday night saw the Icecats prevail 6-2 in a tight, competitive game, at least up until the third quarter. Tied 2-2 after two periods, the Icecats adjusted to a game which was marred by fighting and sloppy fundamental play.

"When we talked before the third period, we harped on execution," head coach Leo Golembiewski said. "We were outplaying them, but we just weren't putting the puck in the net."

The Icecats then exploded, scoring four goals in the third, with freshman right-wing Kyle Neary scoring twice and being named the player of the game.

The go-to player on Friday night was freshman Kevin Meehan, who scored two goals en route to a 5-3 Icecat win.

"They were all keying up on (co-captain Paul) Dorn and seemed to play me a little soft," Meehan said. "I just tried to contribute. This is my first ASU series and it was all I thought it would be."

Meehan's coach said he represents what the Icecats are all about.

"Kevin Meehan and his brother, (senior utilityman) Brian, are a microcosm of the brotherhood of the Icecats," head coach Leo Golembiewski said. "It's great to see a kid like him succeed. He deserves it."

Friday night saw 4,355 screaming Icecat fans pack the TCC, keeping the intensity of the game high.

"We have the greatest fans on the planet," Golembiewski said. "Especially in a series like

this, people tend to want it more."

The Icecats, who maintained a comfortable lead through most of the game, were forced to play two men down for the final four minutes of the game after roughing and fighting calls sent two Icecats to the bench. Nursing a two goal lead, the Icecats held ASU at bay to lock in another win.

As in any bitter rivalry, the Arizona-ASU series had its share of physicality. Golembiewski was part of a post-game altercation after Saturday night's game with an Arizona State player. The two had to be separated after it appeared the disgruntled Sun Devil had insulted Golembiewski as the two were leaving the ice.

"I'm going to leave what the ASU player said to me unsaid," Golembiewski said. "I'm definitely going to talk with his coaches and try to get to the bottom of this."

Golembiewski was upbeat despite the incident.

"ASU has a good, solid program and until that last incident, they had executed with the utmost poise and class," he said.

The Icecats are currently ranked fifth in the American Collegiate Hockey Association and will not return to the ice until Jan. 8 and 9 against defending national champion Penn State.

"This is exactly the way I want to go in to the semester break," Golembiewski said. "The chemistry and talent we have here is incredibly special."

Ryan Finley can be reached via e-mail at Ryan.Finley@wildcat.arizona.edu.