Sun Devil hockey avoided a potential scare against Colorado State by beating them 4-1 at home on Friday night.
ASU came out of the gates rather slow, but they got their first goal of the game on a backdoor goal from junior Brian McGinty. A few minutes later, Colorado State evened the score with a 5-on-3 power play goal from Jamison Wicks. ASU was tied with CSU after the first 20 minutes of play.
Midway through the second period, freshman Stephen Collins scored on the power play and his fourth goal in as many nights, increasing his season total to a team-leading 12 goals. At this point of the game, the Colin Hekle, Collins and McGinty line combined for 17 points over the weekend.
With under two minutes to go, Colorado State was unable to capitalize on the power play. Kale Dolinski iced the game with a shorthanded beauty to put the Sun Devils up 4-1.
It was a sloppy victory according to coach Greg Powers, but Hekle recorded three assists in the game and Dolinski fired two goals, which increased their point streaks to 11 games. Goaltender Kyle Dietriech also won his 16th straight against division two opponents.
The Sun Devils need to work on playing more disciplined hockey because 24 penalty minutes against the Wildcats next weekend will not do the Sun Devils any favors. The bright news is that the maroon and gold did kill 90% of their penalties.
The Sun Devils will need to clean up their act before taking the bus to Tucson if they wish to keep their 26 game win streak alive the Wildcats.
If you would like to watch the weekend broadcast in Tucson against U of A, visit www.ustream.tv/channel/ASUD1Hockey Friday and Saturday nights.