PARADISE, Nev. – A wild one in the second game of the Ice Vegas Invitational saw the Arizona State Sun Devils score three goals in the first 7 minutes to defeat Northern Michigan at the home of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Two goals by Anthony Cronston, plus one from Dylan Hoffman, staked the Sun Devils to a 3-0 lead. In response, Wildcats goaltender Atte Tolvanen was pulled after facing just 5 shots.
Although Northern Michigan got on the board in the second period with a goal from James Vermeulen, Arizona State rattled off three straight goals in the first half of the third period, including two from Gage Hough, making the score 6-1.
Down but not out, the Wildcats got goals from Robbie Payne and Darien Craighead, closing the gap to 3. The Sun Devils got one more, from Brinson Pasichnuk, before all was said and done.
In net, Joey Daccord came up with 40 saves, including 19 in the 2nd period. In relief of Tolvanen, Mathias Israelsson stopped 14 of 18 shots.
Arizona State will take on Michigan Tech in the championship game, while the Wildcats face off against Boston College in the consolation game. Puck drop for the consolation game is 5 p.m. Pacific, while the championship game is set for 8:30 p.m. Pacific.