Arizona Ice Cats Sweep Rival ASU in Classic Showdown

Hockey is finally back in Tucson, as the No. 16 Arizona Ice Cats (3-0) begin 2018 by sweeping rival ASU this past weekend!

It’s finally hockey season in the Old Southwest, as the No. 16 Arizona Ice Cats took to the Tucson Convention Center to kick-off their home slate for 2018-19.

Wildcat fans looking for more Arizona action can get a taste with the Cats finally returning to the Ice! Fresh off a tremendous, 2017-18 season, the Wildcats finished 23-11 making it to the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Playoffs, before losing to No. 1 Minot State.

Arizona Wildcats

Heading into 2018-19, not much has changed as Arizona comes into the year with high hopes yet again. Head coach Chad Berman enters his sixth season in Tucson and should have a talented and competitive squad.

Arizona began the season by facing Grand Canyon in Phoenix over a week ago, where the Wildcats came out strong. Early on in the first period, the Wildcats did some heavy scoring, tallying three goals.

The second period was a bit more balanced as Arizona was only able to capitalize on a goal from forward Bayley Marshall. GCU was able to score in the second for their only goal of the game, cutting Arizona’s lead to 4-1.

Heading into the final period with the Wildcats in complete control, Arizona would continue its dominance, adding three more goals, cruising to the 7-1 victory!

Entering Friday, the Wildcats would take to the ice again in an always hotly contested match-up with ASU. Through the first period, there wouldn’t be much doing for either squad as they ended the period in a 0-0 tie.

Finally in the second period, the tie broke, with ASU getting on the board first on a shot that got past keeper Anthony Ciurro. Minutes later, Arizona would get the equalizer on a goal from Marshall.

Luckily, the scoring wouldn’t stop for Arizona. Tied at 1-1, forward Christopher Westlund would sneak the puck past the ASU keeper to give the Wildcats the 2-1 lead just before the end of the second.

Arizona’s stifling defense would suffocate the Sun Devils’ efforts, en route to the 2-1 win!

Going for the sweep, the Wildcats would come out strong against ASU in their Saturday showdown. Marshall would get things going for Arizona, scoring in the 19th minute of the first period to make it 1-0 Arizona.

ASU would tie it at 1-1 early in the second period, but luckily it was Arizona who was able to regain the lead at 2-1, when forward Anthony Cusanelli found the back of the net. Unfortunately, the lead didn’t last long as the Sun Devils came right back to make it 2-2.

Tied at 2-2 in the third period, the Wildcats would break the tie when Marshall again would find the net on an unassisted goal in the eighth minute to make it 3-2. Nearly ten minutes later, Arizona would put this away for good when they again found the back of the net to make it 4-2.

The Wildcats would cruise to the 4-2 victory, dismantling No. 24 ASU in both matches and improving to 3-0 on the year.

Arizona will return to action Thursday, when they take on Missouri State in Missouri and will follow-up that game with back-to-back games against Arkansas on Friday and Saturday!

At Zona Zealots, we are excited for the return of Arizona Hockey and can’t wait to see how they perform this year! Bear Down, Arizona!