#1 LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY (M1) 3, #8 ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (M1) 2 (OT)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tempe, Ariz. (1/23/10) – On Saturday night, the eighth-ranked Arizona State University Sun Devils concluded their four-game series against the reigning D1 and D2 ACHA National Champions. The top-ranked D1 defending champions, the Lindenwood University Lions, looked to make sure the Sun Devils finished with a losing record against the top teams of ACHA D1 and D2. The Sun Devils looked poised to take down the top-ranked team as they held the Lions scoreless for more than 58 minutes. However, Lindenwood scored two goals in the final one minute, 33 seconds to tie the game before winning in overtime, 3-2.

The Sun Devils defense kept the Lions off the scoreboard for the first period. They prevented Lindenwood from getting any quality opportunities on net and goaltender Mark Schacker stopped all the shots that made their way on goal. Midway through the opening frame, Steve Marino got the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 for Arizona State. That would be the only scoring from either side in the first as the Sun Devils took their one-goal lead after one period.

In the second period, Lindenwood stepped up the offensive pressure. They controlled most of the faceoff draws and took 21 shots on net in the stanza. Mark Schacker and the Devils’ defense kept Lindenwood at bay, breaking up their great scoring chances and keeping the defending champions off the scoreboard. In the final seconds of the frame, Arizona State would get a power play opportunity and they would make good on it. Pat Lind scored with just three seconds left in the period to increase the Sun Devils lead to 2-0 heading into the third.

Lindenwood refused to go quietly in the third period as they aggressively attacked the Sun Devils’ net. Mark Schacker was making one incredible save after another to help Arizona State stay in control of the game. Needing two goals in the final two minutes, the Lions pulled their goaltender after a timeout to try to get back in the game. It worked, as Neeco Belanger would score to pull Lindenwood within one goal. Just 37 seconds later with their goaltender pulled again, Adam Krefski tied the game to force overtime. In the extra session, Lindenwood would receive a power play with less than two minutes remaining, forcing Arizona State to try and survive a four-on-three for the rest of overtime. Arizona State’s defense tried their best to hold off Lindenwood, but Chad Boeckman would net the game-winner with 32 seconds left in overtime to complete the comeback for the Lions and deal a crushing defeat for the Sun Devils. Arizona State will have to recover fast from the heartbreaking defeat, as the archrival University of Arizona Icecats come to Tempe on Friday and Saturday night.

SCORING SUMMARY

Lindenwood University – 0 0 2 1 – 3

Arizona State University – 1 1 0 0 – 2

First Period: 1, ASU, Marino (Myshak, Hogge), 11:31. Penalties: Parson, ASU (interference), 19:11; Long, LU (tripping), 6:05.

Second Period: 2, ASU, Lind (Parson, Costello), :03 (pp). Penalties: Long, LU (cross checking), 15:29; Stewart, ASU (cross checking), 13:02; Hurst, ASU (boarding), 10:24; Mackey, ASU (roughing), 9:49; Gorczyca, LU (roughing), 9:49; Belanger, LU (slashing), :15.

Third Period: 3, LU, Belanger (Krefski, Boeckman), 1:33. 4, LU, Krefski (Gorczyca, Boeckman), :46. Penalties: Stewart, ASU, double minor (roughing, head contact), 12:16; Long, LU (roughing), 12:16; Kowalczyk, LU (unsportsmanlike conduct), 12:16; Stewart, ASU (checking from behind), 8:20; Rankin, LU (tripping), 4:51.

Overtime: 5, LU, Boeckman (Belanger, Krefski), :32 (pp). Penalty: Scola, ASU (tripping), 1:57.

Shots on goal:

Lindenwood University – 11 21 21 7 – 60

Arizona State University – 11 15 3 0 – 29

Goalies: LU, Abbott (29 shots-27 saves); ASU, Schacker (60-57)