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Icecats skate to 4-3 win over Icedevils

Arizona continues win streak on Arizona State's home ice

No one likes a bad guest.

So imagine the feelings of the IceDevils faithful when the Icecats went into Veteran's Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix and defeated No. 8 Arizona State University 4-3.

No. 6 Arizona (15-1-2), was buoyed by an efficient power play, with junior left wing Paul Dorn and junior right wing Kyle McNeilance both scoring special teams goals.

Sophomore goal tender Jason Morgan proved more than up to the task of shutting down the IceDevils(13-6-2) - stopping 30 of the 33 shots that he faced.

The Icecats faced a familiar foe between the pipes for ASU in sophomore goaltender Dan Woog. Woog, who played in both games earlier this season at the Tucson Convention Center, came out ready to defend the Icecat attack.

With the score knotted at 1-1 after the first period, McNeilance broke the tie with a laser past the glove of Woog.

Dorn found himself open in front of the net and slapped a rebound past Woog minutes later.

Sophomore defensman Pavel Jandura's slap shot early in the third period placed the Icecats ahead 4-1.

But the story of the Icecats' season remains the refereeing late in the game.

With 10 minutes remaining the contest and the Icecats up 4-1, senior center Hunter Chernack was called for a rare facemasking penalty. Much to the Icecats coaching staff's dismay, Chernack was assessed a five-minute major penalty, which made for a close ending.

Unlike the majority of penalties, major penalties do not end if the opponent scores. The penalty is served out in full.

ASU sophomore right wing Joel Baltgalvis, the recipient of Chernack's grab, took offense and a full on fight ensued. Both players were given ten-minute game misconduct penalties, removing them from the action.

The IceDevils, until that point playing like a beaten team, suddenly became energized.

Two power play goals by ASU put the IceDevils within range of forcing an overtime period.

But the relentless pursuit was stopped by the UA defense and the Icecats came away with a victory.

"This was the gustiest performance I have seen in my 20 years of coaching," UA head coach Leo Golembiewski said. "To come on the road and play so well in their barn. I am so proud of these guys."

The win continues the Icecats streak against ASU. In UA's last nine games against rival ASU the Icecats are 8-0-1.

It seems IceDevil fans were more preoccupied with the other game in town as the Icecat fans in attendance easily outnumbered the home crowd.

Next up for the Icecats is the St. Louis Bilikens, who come to the Tucson Convention Center Friday and Saturday. The puck drops for both games at 7:30 p.m. The Bilikens first take on ASU tonight before traveling to Tucson. St. Louis currently has a 13-13-1 record.

Joshua McClain can be reached at Joshua.McClain@wildcat.arizona.edu