ST. CLOUD, Minn. – True to the perseverance that has defined desert hockey all season, the No. 13 Arizona State hockey team (12-8-1, 7-4-0 NCHC) rallied from a two-goal deficit to score five unanswered goals over No. 15 St. Cloud State (11-10-0, 4-7-0 NCHC) on Friday night. The 5-3 victory over the Huskies launched the Sun Devils into sole possession of the No. 1 spot in National Collegiate Hockey Conference standings.
With two goals at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, Ryan Kirwan moved into a three-way tie for the NCHC’s top goal-scorer this season with 13 on the year. The mark is also tied for eighth in the country.
Gibson Homer made his ninth start of the season and his first after being named to the Mike Richter Award Watch List, given annually to the best goaltender in college hockey. He made 30 saves
Fifth-year Benji Eckerle was credited with the game-winner, his first since his rookie season in 2020-21. He has three goals and four assists on the season.
Sophomore Kyle Smolen enjoyed a two-point night, his second in the past three games, with a goal and an assist. He boasts six points in the last six games (2G, 4A).
UP NEXT: ASU looks for its second consecutive road sweep in game two against the Huskies on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. MST on NCHC.tv, Fox10Xtra (tape delay), and…
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