No. 6 Arizona Hockey ices the visiting Sun Devils this past weekend
No. 6 Arizona Hockey (17-3) extended their winning streak to eight games, after holding the visiting ASU Sun Devils scoreless in both games.
Now a couple of weeks since Arizona Hockey dispatched Missouri State and climbed the American Collegiate Hockey Association rankings, the Wildcats are continuing to trend upwards.
Winners of six-straight entering the weekend, Arizona was looking to extend their streak after taking a well-deserved break over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats finally returned to action this past weekend, in front of an energized fan base at the Tucson Convention Center, as they welcomed hated rival ASU to town, in what would be another epic, desert showdown!
Arizona took to the ice the first night ready to rumble, and from the get go, the Wildcats were on it!
Less than a minute in, the Wildcats took the early lead when Trey Decker was able to sneak one past the ASU goalie to go up 1-0.
Not long after, Arizona was able to double it up, when Bayley Marshall deflected a pass that ultimately found the back of the net, giving Arizona the 2-0 edge just prior to the end of the 1st period.
Leading 2-0, Arizona would get back to work and quickly in the second period. Working on a power play, Arizona’s Anthony Cusanelli would laser one past the ASU goalkeeper from the left circle to make it 3-0, Wildcats!
Unfortunately, the scoring would stop there. From there on, Arizona would use stifling defense, receiving a tremendous effort from goalie Anthony Ciurro to keep the Sun Devils scoreless for the entire game!
The Wildcats went on to win game one by a 3-0 final!
What great @achamensd1 hockey game @TCCTucson @UAWildcatHockey earned a 3-0 victory over @ASU_Hockey but a huge shout out to both teams on your class and compete level! Also want to congratulate Wildcat fans were coming out in BIG numbers to support your #6 ranked team! pic.twitter.com/TOoVXHBfSu
— Ice Time Hockey West (@icetimesw) December 1, 2018
Looking for the sweep, the Wildcats would once again come out focused in Saturday’s game. Unlike Friday, the first period would be a bit more quiet in this one as both teams were knotted at 0-0 after one. Luckily, the tie didn’t last long.
Still tied 0-0 in the second, Arizona was the one to open the scoring, when Manny Rowe used an opportune moment to make it 1-0, Cats. A little tie-up of Arizona and ASU players by the net, allowed for Rowe to take advantage.
Not long after, Ethan Stahlhuth extended Arizona’s lead to 2-0 when he too found the back of the net just before the end of the second period!
Looking to close this one out, Arizona put together a busy third period. Still up 2-0, Cusanelli would extend the Wildcats’ lead to 3-0 after weaving through ASU’s defense and finding the net!
Minutes later, it would be Cusanelli again! This time weaving his way left on the ice, and firing from the left circle to give Arizona the 4-0 lead.
🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IHWHvwV92g
— UAZ Wildcat Hockey (@UAWildcatHockey) December 2, 2018
That’s all Arizona would need in this one as once again Ciurro would hold the Sun Devils scoreless, helping deliver the 4-0 win for the Wildcats!
Thank you WILDCAT HOCKEY FANS for a great turnout this weekend! Beating ASU is always fun, but it’s a lot more fun to do with all of you!
— UAZ Wildcat Hockey (@UAWildcatHockey) December 2, 2018
See you January 4 & 5 as we take on Grand Canyon University -Buy one get one FREE tickets both nights!
Bear Down, Rise up!
With the win, the Wildcats would improve to 17-3 on the year, also sweeping ASU again! That will do for hockey action for now, as Arizona will take a bit of a break before they return to action again.
The Wildcats’ next game will be Friday, January 4 when they take on Grand Canyon at the TCC arena!
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At Zona Zealots, we are proud of the way Arizona Hockey has been playing, and only hope they can continue the hot streak! For now, enjoy the break and we can’t wait to see them back in action! Bear Down, Arizona!