Two Goals in Ten Seconds Tames Tigers
ROCHESTER, NY – Two Sun Devil goals within 10 seconds by Johnny Walker and Ryan O'Reilly tamed the Tigers as the Arizona State men's ice hockey team (14-12-0) defeated the Rochester Institute of Technology, 2-1. The pair scored is the fastest time between two ASU goals this season.
ASU was perfect on the penalty kill on Friday night at Gene Polisseni Center, denying all four Tiger power play opportunities. Goaltender Ben Kraws made 26 saves in his third consecutive start.
good work boys ???? pic.twitter.com/1CQSjTs38h
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) January 15, 2022
The Tigers and Devils had a bit of a slow start through the first frame. The scoreboard remained knotted at zero after 20 minutes, but ASU led shots 10-6. The Sun Devils killed two power play opportunities for RIT on penalties called on Ty Murchison for holding and Jacob Wilson for roughing following a huge hit in the neutral zone.
Any action that was missed in the first period was paid in dividends to start the second. Johnny Walker scored ASU's opening goal just 77 seconds into the period, followed by another goal from Ryan O'Reilly a mere 10 seconds later. It's the shortest time between two Sun Devil goals this season.
The all-time program record for shortest time between two ASU goals is seven seconds - set at RIT on Jan. 17, 2020.
GOAL SUMMARY
Second Period
1:17 - ASU (1-0): Johnny Walker got back to his scoring ways in the opening night at RIT. Colin Theisen took a shot from the top of the circle that went wide and skated up the boards to Josh Doan on the blue line. The rookie took a shot that the Tigers netminder saved but could not contain. Johnny Walker stood waiting on the far-side for the rebound and stuffed the puck in for his fifth goal of the season.
1:27 - ASU (2-0): Just two faceoffs and 10 seconds later, Michael Mancinelli won the battle at the dot and passed the puck to Ryan O'Reilly who lingered in the slot. O'Reilly nailed his sixth goal of the season.
17:15 - RIT (2-1): Carter Wilkie brings the score with one for the Tigers.
UP NEXT: The Tigers and Sun Devils meet again in an early game to close out the two-game series. Puck drop is slated for 3pm MST/5pm ET and is streamed for a fee on FloHockey.