For the first time in school history, The Sun Devils competed in the NCHC playoffs.
ASU came into the weekend seeded second, facing seventh-seed Minnesota Duluth. The first team to get two wins on the weekend moves to the semifinals.
Not only was this the first conference playoff game for the Sun Devils, but it was also the first one hosted in Mullett Arena.
The crowd was howling all night, excited for their first taste of playoff hockey. Head coach Greg Powers gave fans credit for the big win.
"The fans were incredible," Powers said. "Credit them with the biggest assist. They just energized our guys and carried us across the finish line tonight, and they've been doing that all season. So, happy we could get that one in front of them."
Shortly after the start of the first period, and in classic fashion, senior forward Ryan Kirwan scored the first goal off of a shot at a tough angle from just above the goal line.
Kirwan led the NCHC in goals this season and was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award.
Within the next few minutes, junior forward Charlie Schoen scored a quick goal to give the Sun Devils a two-goal lead and set the arena on fire, as ASU was proving its worth as second in the conference.
However, the Sun Devils seemed to lose pace after the hot start.
Two goals from the Bulldogs tied the game by the middle of the second period, and ASU wasn't establishing a strong forecheck as they were earlier in the first. Pucks were bobbling at the blue lines, and it seemed like neither team could keep the puck in the offensive zone for more than a few minutes.
Junior forward Bennett Schimek scored a goal soon after to give the Sun Devils the lead once more. Despite getting a point on the board, Schimek said the second period was their worst and the team needed to play harder.
The Bulldogs scored again in the second to tie the game as they prepared to butt heads with the Sun Devils in the final period.
Weathering the storm after the second period, Powers and the Sun Devils came into the closing 20 minutes thirsty for a win.
Sophomore defenseman Anthony Dowd scored the game-winning goal for the Maroon and Gold. Dowd's goal was only his second of the year and came when his team needed it most.
While the third looked better than the second, it was still not their best effort. Dowd said they played hard enough in the third to deliver a message.
"We just sent a message of, we're coming," Dowd said. "That third period... we weren't having our second, but we played hard in the third and we got the job done."
Powers said that the team did not play up to the standard in their first playoff game and will come back better in game two.
"We're thrilled to get the win," Powers said. "Just not content with how we got the win obviously. The result was great, but tomorrow, the first thing I thought about was we better be better."
Edited by Henry Smardo, Sophia Braccio and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at Gbarberi@asu.edu and follow @Giobarberio1 on X.
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Giovanni is a sophomore studying history. This is his third semester with The State Press.
