TEMPE – In the final home weekend of the 2023 calendar year, No. 12 Arizona State (11-3-4) went to the brink with Dartmouth (2-3-6) for the second consecutive night at Mullett Arena on Saturday Night with a 1-1 draw, the fourth this season. Jackson Niedermeyer won the shootout for the Sun Devils, ASU's third shootout victory this year.
The Sun Devils scored first for the third-straight game and the ninth time this season. Graduate center Brian Chambers snuck his second goal of the year in the second frame, assisted by Jackson Niedermayer and Benji Eckerlel.
"I thought we were good. I thought that their goalie was unbelievable. He's 6' 8'' and athletic and he was tremendous," said head coach Greg Powers. "I felt like they weren't gonna score. It was just one of those games. I thought we were really good defensively and we were really stout, we weren't giving up really many opportunities at all."
After Dartmouth equalized later in the second period, the game remained 1-1, and neither side could net the game-winning goal in either regulation or overtime. The shootout went seven rounds, with Gibson Homer standing tall in net stopping six of seven attempts from the Big Green. The sophomore netminder registered 20 saves in regulation on the night.
GAME NOTABLES:
2022-23: 14
2019-20: 12
2018-19: 12
2020-21: 12
2023-24: 10
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period:
Despite a stagnant opening five minutes, Ryan Alexander presented the Sun Devils their first scoring chance off of a rebound at 17:08. But the puck ricocheted off the top-pipe, keeping the game scoreless. ASU would then be put on the penalty kill whereas it was later nullified at the 11:54 mark of the period.
Entering the second half of the opening frame, the Sun Devils faced their first power play opportunity but only managed three shots on net. Play later returned to full-strength with 7:51 remaining. Dartmouth thought they managed to score the game's first goal at the 2:33 mark, but a challenge by Coach Powers drew the reversal of the goal and registered a five-minute major for head contact, putting ASU on the power-play. It marked the third overturned goal for the opposition of the weekend.
The Sun Devils managed to fire three shots in the final two minutes on goal, but went into the intermission with 2:19 remaining on the man-advantage with the game scoreless.
Second Period:
Coming out of the intermission Dartmouth was aggressive on the penalty kill, neutralizing the ASU power play with 17:38 remaining in the frame when play returned to full-strength.
About eight minutes passed with only five shots combined in the period when Chambers snuck beyond Dartmouths' netminder to slip in the game's first goal, assisted by Niedermayer to give the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead with 9:42 left in the middle frame.
ASU enjoyed the lead for a measly three minutes after Tim Lovell was penalized for Cross Checking, which then Dartmouth turned into a power-play goal with 6:25 left in the period, tying the game 1-1.
The Sun Devils found their next scoring opportunity on a breakaway around the closing minutes of the period but the contest remained tied going into the second intermission.
Third Period:
Battle for control of the puck was clear in the opening minutes of regulation with each side presented opportunities to take the lead early in the frame. The first action of the period pressured ASU's penalty-kill unit to diminish Big Green's opportunity to take their first lead of the game, which the unit was successful with 10:06 left in regulation.
After more scrappy hockey, Dartmouth took a timeout at the 2:45 mark in regulation with the game tied 1-1. The Sun Devils controlled the puck for the remainder of regulation but was unable to find the net with the game heading to overtime.
Overtime:
For the second straight night overtime took place against Dartmouth, whereas the Sun Devils took control of the puck for the majority of the period and outshot the opposition. The Big Green challenged a five-minute major penalty call with 1:15 left, but the call was upheld. The Sun Devils had a breakaway attempt with 30 seconds in the game, but Dartmouth's tendie withstood the breakaway. Ultimately, the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
Shootout:
POST GAME QUOTES
Arizona State Head Coach Greg Powers
On how missing two impact players changes the game:
"They're great players, anytime you're missing your first line center and your first line right wing, you're gonna feel it. That's our third game without them and we're 10-2, right. So we've won one and tied two without two really good players that are important to us. So we're grinding it. Obviously, if they're in there tonight, I think it's probably a different game, but it is what it is. We gotta find ways to win without them and we're surviving without them, but we have to figure out a way to thrive without them."
On how the team played compared to last night's draw:
"I thought we were good. I thought that their goalie was unbelievable. He's 6' 8'' and athletic and he was tremendous. I thought we were the better team. I thought we carried the play, our power play wasn't quite sharp tonight that hurt us, but our kill was good and Gibby (Gibson Homer) was good. I felt like they weren't gonna score. It was just one of those games. I thought we were really good defensively and we were really stout, we weren't giving up really many opportunities at all."
On ASU's Goaltender Gibson Homers' play tonight:
"Gibby was really good. I didn't like the first goal that we won a challenge on that got called back. I thought that that was a little sloppy but after that, he settled in, he did what he had to do again. He didn't see much. He was great in the shootout and he's a big stout kid like their guy and it was a good goaltending medal."
Arizona State Forward Brian Chambers:
On his goal tonight:
"I just wanted to take the puck hard to the net and I think I got a bit lucky. I think I fell behind the net and my stick was out in front of the net and the puck was just sitting in the crease. I kind of just whacked it in. So it was a good play by Niedermayer and just lucky to be there to tap it in."
On next man up mentality:
"Obviously missing Ty and Dylan is a big miss, especially with scoring. They know how to put the puck in the back of the net. But yeah, we have depth this year. I think that's something that Greg was huge on, I think as you've seen the guys step up in the lineup. They've done a great job and I think everyone's just doing a good job of playing the game."
Arizona State Defender/Forward Benji Eckerle:
On the emphasis of needing to find success in the next several games:
"Yeah, I mean, it's just winning, we gotta win. It's as simple as that. So, we gotta take advantage of every opportunity when we play good teams. We have to take advantage of those and we have to make sure we take care of business when we play teams that we should and will beat."
On being dominant but not being able to find the back of the net:
"You just have to keep pushing like you're doing all the right things. There's nothing else to do really. So just don't change anything and, you know, puck bounces happen. So keep going."
The Sun Devils scored first for the third-straight game and the ninth time this season. Graduate center Brian Chambers snuck his second goal of the year in the second frame, assisted by Jackson Niedermayer and Benji Eckerlel.
"I thought we were good. I thought that their goalie was unbelievable. He's 6' 8'' and athletic and he was tremendous," said head coach Greg Powers. "I felt like they weren't gonna score. It was just one of those games. I thought we were really good defensively and we were really stout, we weren't giving up really many opportunities at all."
Sneak attack ??@BrianChambers3 /// #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/Nts42D59IK
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 10, 2023
After Dartmouth equalized later in the second period, the game remained 1-1, and neither side could net the game-winning goal in either regulation or overtime. The shootout went seven rounds, with Gibson Homer standing tall in net stopping six of seven attempts from the Big Green. The sophomore netminder registered 20 saves in regulation on the night.
.@jniedermayer27 with the shootout W ??#BeTheTradition /// #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/SQzfIbKUJl
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 10, 2023
GAME NOTABLES:
- The Sun Devils competed in their ninth overtime game of the season, tying the nine overtime games the 2017-18 team played.
- The Maroon and Gold have gone 4-1-4 in overtime games this season, and remain undefeated at Mullett Arena in overtime contests.
- ASU remains undefeated in shootouts this season, 3-0.
- The last time the Sun Devils played in back-to-back overtime contests was February 25-26, 2022, against Alaska Fairbanks.
- It's the third time in program history the Sun Devils have had ten wins before Dec. 25.
- The previous two times the Sun Devils were on-pace for an NCAA Tournament berth.
- 2018-19: 14 wins (Made NCAA Tournament)
- 2023-24: 11 wins
- 2019-20: 10 wins (Projected to make the NCAA Tournament)
- Arizona State held Dartmouth scoreless in the first period for the first time in four games since the Big Green played against Connecticut on Nov. 25. It marks only the fourth time in 11 games the Big Green have been held scoreless in the opening period this year.
- The Sun Devils registered 19 shots on goal in the first period, tied for the second-most in an opening period this season.
- It marks the third time the Sun Devils had 15 or more shots on goal in the first 20 minutes and the most since Dec. 1 against Colorado College whereas ASU registered 19 shots on net.
- Graduate transfer Brian Chambers found the back of the net for the second time this season, the first time since Nov. 3, 2023 against Stonehill.
- Jackson Niedermayer was credited with his second assist this year and his first since Oct. 10, 2023 against Northern Michigan.
- Tony Achille played in his first collegiate game
- Brandon Tabakin is now +13, which is tied for 10th best in the nation. He is followed by Brian Chambers at +5 and Benji Eckerle at +4.
- Benji Eckerle finished the weekend at + 2 and three points (one goal and two assists).
2022-23: 14
2019-20: 12
2018-19: 12
2020-21: 12
2023-24: 10
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period:
Despite a stagnant opening five minutes, Ryan Alexander presented the Sun Devils their first scoring chance off of a rebound at 17:08. But the puck ricocheted off the top-pipe, keeping the game scoreless. ASU would then be put on the penalty kill whereas it was later nullified at the 11:54 mark of the period.
Entering the second half of the opening frame, the Sun Devils faced their first power play opportunity but only managed three shots on net. Play later returned to full-strength with 7:51 remaining. Dartmouth thought they managed to score the game's first goal at the 2:33 mark, but a challenge by Coach Powers drew the reversal of the goal and registered a five-minute major for head contact, putting ASU on the power-play. It marked the third overturned goal for the opposition of the weekend.
The Sun Devils managed to fire three shots in the final two minutes on goal, but went into the intermission with 2:19 remaining on the man-advantage with the game scoreless.
Second Period:
Coming out of the intermission Dartmouth was aggressive on the penalty kill, neutralizing the ASU power play with 17:38 remaining in the frame when play returned to full-strength.
About eight minutes passed with only five shots combined in the period when Chambers snuck beyond Dartmouths' netminder to slip in the game's first goal, assisted by Niedermayer to give the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead with 9:42 left in the middle frame.
ASU enjoyed the lead for a measly three minutes after Tim Lovell was penalized for Cross Checking, which then Dartmouth turned into a power-play goal with 6:25 left in the period, tying the game 1-1.
The Sun Devils found their next scoring opportunity on a breakaway around the closing minutes of the period but the contest remained tied going into the second intermission.
Third Period:
Battle for control of the puck was clear in the opening minutes of regulation with each side presented opportunities to take the lead early in the frame. The first action of the period pressured ASU's penalty-kill unit to diminish Big Green's opportunity to take their first lead of the game, which the unit was successful with 10:06 left in regulation.
After more scrappy hockey, Dartmouth took a timeout at the 2:45 mark in regulation with the game tied 1-1. The Sun Devils controlled the puck for the remainder of regulation but was unable to find the net with the game heading to overtime.
Overtime:
For the second straight night overtime took place against Dartmouth, whereas the Sun Devils took control of the puck for the majority of the period and outshot the opposition. The Big Green challenged a five-minute major penalty call with 1:15 left, but the call was upheld. The Sun Devils had a breakaway attempt with 30 seconds in the game, but Dartmouth's tendie withstood the breakaway. Ultimately, the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
Shootout:
| TEAM | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7 |
| DARTMOUTH | X | X | ✓ | X | X | X | X |
| ARIZONA STATE | X | ✓ | X | X | X | X | ✓ |
POST GAME QUOTES
Arizona State Head Coach Greg Powers
On how missing two impact players changes the game:
"They're great players, anytime you're missing your first line center and your first line right wing, you're gonna feel it. That's our third game without them and we're 10-2, right. So we've won one and tied two without two really good players that are important to us. So we're grinding it. Obviously, if they're in there tonight, I think it's probably a different game, but it is what it is. We gotta find ways to win without them and we're surviving without them, but we have to figure out a way to thrive without them."
On how the team played compared to last night's draw:
"I thought we were good. I thought that their goalie was unbelievable. He's 6' 8'' and athletic and he was tremendous. I thought we were the better team. I thought we carried the play, our power play wasn't quite sharp tonight that hurt us, but our kill was good and Gibby (Gibson Homer) was good. I felt like they weren't gonna score. It was just one of those games. I thought we were really good defensively and we were really stout, we weren't giving up really many opportunities at all."
On ASU's Goaltender Gibson Homers' play tonight:
"Gibby was really good. I didn't like the first goal that we won a challenge on that got called back. I thought that that was a little sloppy but after that, he settled in, he did what he had to do again. He didn't see much. He was great in the shootout and he's a big stout kid like their guy and it was a good goaltending medal."
Arizona State Forward Brian Chambers:
On his goal tonight:
"I just wanted to take the puck hard to the net and I think I got a bit lucky. I think I fell behind the net and my stick was out in front of the net and the puck was just sitting in the crease. I kind of just whacked it in. So it was a good play by Niedermayer and just lucky to be there to tap it in."
On next man up mentality:
"Obviously missing Ty and Dylan is a big miss, especially with scoring. They know how to put the puck in the back of the net. But yeah, we have depth this year. I think that's something that Greg was huge on, I think as you've seen the guys step up in the lineup. They've done a great job and I think everyone's just doing a good job of playing the game."
Arizona State Defender/Forward Benji Eckerle:
On the emphasis of needing to find success in the next several games:
"Yeah, I mean, it's just winning, we gotta win. It's as simple as that. So, we gotta take advantage of every opportunity when we play good teams. We have to take advantage of those and we have to make sure we take care of business when we play teams that we should and will beat."
On being dominant but not being able to find the back of the net:
"You just have to keep pushing like you're doing all the right things. There's nothing else to do really. So just don't change anything and, you know, puck bounces happen. So keep going."