Devils in Detail
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ASU Hockey: Sun Devils lose in second straight night in OT to Yale

By Michael Gutnick

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil performs during the team's quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Oregon Ducks T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oregon won 80-57. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil performs during the team's quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the Oregon Ducks T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oregon won 80-57. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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For the second night in a row, ASU hockey suffered an overtime loss to Yale Saturday at Ingalls Rink in New Haven, Conn.

The Bulldogs prevailed once again as sophomore forward Evan Smith buried the game-winner in OT to complete the victory over the Sun Devils by a final score of 4-3.

ASU (7-18-5) climbed back after trailing three times in the game, including two big goals in the third period.

At the 14:22 mark of the first period, Yale (11-11-1) struck first as junior defenseman Charlie Curti crashed the net and found an opening backdoor to give the home team a 1-0 advantage.

Three minutes later, Arizona State answered back.

ASU freshman defenseman Max Balinson released a rocket from the point. With a screen from ASU captain Dylan Hollman, the shot whistled by Yale backup netminder Corbin Kaczperski to tie the game at one late in the first period.

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After ASU’s 20th-ranked penalty kill defended all eight of Yale’s man-advantages Friday night, the Bulldogs scored on their third power play of the night to regain the lead 1:33 into the third period.

The Sun Devils would look their finest on the final penalty kill of the evening. ASU’s points leader Brinson Paschinuk netted a shorthanded goal in the front of the Yale goal crease to even it up at two. Paschinuk’s seventh goal of the season tied his total from last season and gave the Sun Devils second shorty of the season.

Just over halfway through the third period, freshman defenseman Brian Matthews tallied his first ever NCAA goal to Yale a 3-2 edge.

Despite falling behind again, ASU was resilient and never quit. ASU forward Johnny Walker hammered in his 10th goal of the year, breaking the record for most goals by a freshman in program history. Walker’s goal tied the contest at three with 4:12 remaining in regulation.

With the game still tied after 60 minutes, ASU and Yale needed overtime to close out the finale of the series. After killing a short power play to begin OT, Evan Smith rushed up the ice and beat shortside to secure the victory.

Sophomore goaltender Joey Daccord had another phenomenal start between the pipes for the Sun Devils. Daccord made 52 saves on 56 shot attempts. In the two games against Yale, Daccord recorded 99 saves to add to his NCAA-leading save total.

Next: ASU Hockey: Sun Devils fall to Yale in OT despite big performance from Daccord

The Sun Devils lose their fifth game in a row. The team heads out to Michigan Tech for a rematch of the finale of the Ice Vegas Invitational on February 16th and 17th. Puck drop is set for 4:07 p.m. MT.