#7 UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA (M1) 4, #8 ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (M1) 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Norman, Okla. (1/10/10) – After enjoying more than a month off, the eighth-ranked Arizona State University Sun Devils kicked off the 2010 portion of their season Sunday night in Oklahoma. The Sun Devils were facing a tough test as the seventh-ranked University of Oklahoma Sooners welcomed them into Blazers Ice Centre. With a fast start to the game and great goaltending all night, the Sooners would defeat the Sun Devils, 4-1.

The Sun Devils return to the ice got off to a terrible start. Brad McCabe, who recorded three goals in two games against the Sun Devils in Tempe earlier this season, scored just 16 seconds into the game to put Oklahoma up 1-0. Arizona State received a power play later in the period trying to tie the game, but Oklahoma would burn them as Ryan Lee scored a shorthanded goal to put the Sooners up 2-0. Arizona State’s offense could get nothing past Oklahoma goaltender Matt Pombo and would go into the first intermission down 2-0.

The second period would be no different as Oklahoma continued to press the Sun Devils. Keith Denton would strike early in the frame to boost Oklahoma’s lead to 3-0. Arizona State was struggling to get any offensive performance going against the Oklahoma defense throughout the period and any good chances they were getting were turned aside by Pombo. With only seven seconds to play in the period, Arizona State would finally get a goal on the power play as Pat Lind would put them on the board, cutting the lead to 3-1 after two periods.

The Sun Devils were unable to use any momentum from that late-period goal to generate a rally however. With over eight minutes left in the game, Brad McCabe would convert a power play chance for his second goal of the game to restore the three-goal advantage. With over four minutes remaining, Arizona State would get a five-minute major power play to give them a chance to come back. However, Matt Pombo and the Oklahoma defense would not allow another goal as the Sooners sent the Devils to their fourth loss of the season. The Sun Devils’ offense was shut down in this game, managing 21 shots on goal for the entire game. The two teams will meet again on Monday night in Oklahoma.

SCORING SUMMARY

Arizona State University – 0 1 0 – 1

University of Oklahoma – 2 1 1 – 4

First Period: 1, OU, McCabe (Bryant), 19:44. 2, OU, Lee (Power, Hetrick), 13:35 (sh). Penalties: Dee, OU (tripping), 18:46; Martin, OU (high sticking), 14:21; Yost, OU, misconduct, 9:36; St. Pierre, ASU (hooking), 2:13; Stewart, ASU (hooking), :48.

Second Period: 3, OU, Denton (Power, Dee), 17:35; 4, ASU, Lind (Scola, Costello), :07 (pp). Penalties: St. Pierre, ASU (hooking), 14:57; Yost, OU (cross checking), 1:43.

Third Period: 5, OU, McCabe (Martin, Bryant), 8:24. Penalties: Costello, ASU (delay of game), 9:06; Parson, ASU (high sticking), 8:24; Lind, ASU (roughing), 7:37; Dee, OU, double minor (roughing), 7:37; Power, OU (hooking), 6:41; Bryant, OU, major (slashing), 4:20.

Shots on goal:

Arizona State University – 22

University of Oklahoma – 32

Goalies: ASU, Schacker (32 shots, 28 saves); OU, Pombo (21 shots, 20 saves)

Box Score from www.achahockey.org