At the Tucson Convention Center, February 25, 1994
 
UA    1   5   3 : 9
ASU   3   2   1 : 6
 
The UA-ASU rivalry in sports manages to transcend such things as rankings and
talent as in other noted sports rivalries and while the IceCats have enjoyed a
long string of victories (including some outright pastings of ASU), last
night's game lived up to the spirit of that rivalry.  This not only included
the teams, but also the spectators themselves as a small but vocal group of ASU
supporters made the trip from Tempe.  Wilbur, the UA mascot, was also on hand
to keep the intensity high during the game.  All in all, an exciting game for
the 6802 present.
 
The ASU fans had their moment in the sun as the IceDevils jumped out to a 3-0
lead early in the first period.  The players were obviously very pumped up,
wanting to rid themselves of a seemingly endless line of losses to the IceCats.
The IceCats, I would have to say, played uninspired hockey to say the least. A
string of 3 or 4 penalties kept their scoring chances to a minimum.  Defense
did not help as failure to clear the puck from the zone after prolonged play
in UA's zone resulted in two quick goals.  The IceCats finally showed some life
with 6 minutes left in the period with Greg Mitchell's end to end skate,
slapshot, and score to put the IceCats on the board.  This was obviously not
going to be a 15-1 rout by UA like last semester.
 
The second period saw the IceCats quickly scoring twice to tie ASU but a string
of go ahead goals by ASU and tying goals by UA kept the crowd riveted. Finally,
Kevin Oztekin gave the IceCats their first lead at 17:02 in the second period,
6-5.
 
ASU, though, was not done. 39 seconds into the third, the tying goal slipped
past IceCat goalie Dennis Hands on an ASU power play. Alas, the IceCats came
roaring back a minute later to take the lead for good with a shot by Peter
Scott, giving UA its lead back.  All throughout the game, the IceDevils managed
to put pressure on Hands, with several audible clinks as the puck hit off of
the posts or crossbar.  One time, the puck hit off of the inside of the right
post but popped back out again.  Unfortunately for ASU, maybe sensing the game
slipping away, one of their players let his emotions show and received a two
minute minor for elbowing with 11 minutes left in the game.  In his frustration
at the call, the ASU player took the loose puck and sent a wild slapshot
towards Dennis Hands.  The referee immediately added a 10 minute misconduct and
sent him to the showers. On the way off the ice, he took a major league stick
swing at Dennis Hands after Hands skated over to him to "give" him the puck.
This prompted another 10 minute misconduct and a 5 minute major.  Needless to
say, this severely hampered ASU's scoring opportunities.  However, the IceCats,
who had trouble scoring on the power play all night long, could only score once
on the ensuing 7 minute power play.  With 1:30 left in the game, ASU pulled the
goalie for the extra skater but gave up the empty-netter with less than 15
seconds to play.
 
UA's defense looked really shaky especially in the first period.  Normally
solid Ricky Pope looked tentative at times and did not play especially well.
Goalie Dennis Hands also looked to have a semidecent game but not outstanding.
 
The two teams meet again at 7:30 tonight at the "MadHouse on Main". It is also
seniors night for UA as this game is the last home game and last regular season
game before the National Tournament next weekend.
 
If you have managed to read all of this, then you are truly a hockey fan(atic).
:-)
 
Matt Glaccum '92  RPI
[log in to unmask]
 
Let's Go Red!
 
PS Coming your way soon, a look at hockey, southwest style...