The Skatin’ Rebels fought hard against the Arizona State Sun Devils, closing the weekend splitting the series 1-1. Both teams have had impressive starts to its seasons, with ASU starting with a 4-1 record and UNLV with a 3-1 record.
Game One
The Sun Devils took game one with a 5-3 win. Despite their best efforts, the Rebels fell short. The Rebels started forwards Michael Boutoussov, Mason Kelly and Luke Burke, defensemen Kyle Quinn and Jake Berry, and goaltender Zack Wickson. The Sun Devils started forwards Caden Butler, Matthew Gross and Carter Newlin, defensemen Wyatt Palmer and Connor Kruk, and goaltender Chase Hamm.
ASU’s Trevor Kennedy kicked off the game with a goal 1:12 into the game, assisted by Ben Chase. Hunter Friesen came back over a minute later with a goal, assisted by Sean Phillips.
Rob McCollum responded to the Sun Devils with a goal less than a minute after that was assisted by Jaxsen Wyatt and Boutoussov. Three minutes later, Cole Wyatt scored with an assist from Tristan Rand to put the Skatin’ Rebels up 2-1.
The Sun Devils deprived the Rebels of goals all throughout the second period, while scoring two for themselves. Newlin added to ASU’s score with a goal 8:07 in, assisted by Gross and Butler.
Butler closed out the second period with a goal in the last 20 seconds of the period, with assists from Newlin and Trenton White..
Conner Tilmon added one more to ASU’s scoreboard with a goal 12:37 into the third period, assisted by Tyler Kiley Ram and Ryan Robinson.
The Rebels lessened the scoring gap with a goal from Cole Wyatt, with assistance from Bradley Golant and Rand, with 3:29 left in regulation. The Rebels comeback was too little too late, resulting in its first loss of the season, losing 5-3.
Game Two
The Rebels bounced back with a 3-2 win against the Sun Devils. Luke Burke earned the first star of the night with two goals, including the game-winning goal. Goaltender Vinny Benedetto and forward Mason Kelly earned the second and third stars of the night.
The Rebels started forwards Mason Kelly, Tristan Rand and Brenden Fehlig, defensemen Mattias Dal Monte and Hunter Muzzillo, and netminder Vinny Benedetto. The Sun Devils started forwards Tyler Kiley Ram, Conner Tilmon and Ryan Robinson, defensemen Logan Lee and Wyatt Palmer, and goaltender Chase Hamm once again.
The Sun Devils had a strong start, scoring on a power play on a penalty from Jake Berry. Kiley Ram scored with an assist by Tilmon and Palmer. Butler added another goal to the Devils’ score, assisted by Kiley Ram, putting the Sun Devils up by two.
Luke Burke extinguished the Sun Devils’ flame in the second period with a goal, assisted by Heath Mensch.
Dal Monte was sent to the penalty box for elbowing within the first period. That didn’t stop Kelly, who scored a short-handed goal.
The second period ended with a 2-2 tie.
Burke kicked off the third period with his second goal of the game, assisted by Dylan Ford.
The Rebels were able to fend off the Sun Devils, despite both teams taking two penalties each within the period. UNLV split the series with their 3-2 win.
Up Next
The Rebels face Grand Canyon University for its home opener at City National Arena on Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
