The Saint Louis University Billikens Division I hockey club opened the season Friday night with a 5-4 win against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Chesterfield, MO.
The Sun Devils opened the game winning face-offs and challenging the SLU defense. SLU responded with a strong defense and several shots on goal.
Coach John Bosch said the game proved that the first line for one team is not always what is needed to be strong against the other team’s first line.
“My fourth line with John Gissy, Al Lordo, and Todd Peden was more effective against Arizona’s top line by winning more face-offs,” said Bosch.
Although Arizona opened the scoring in the first period with a goal by their center Craig Reid, SLU came back with two goals later in the period.
The first was a short-hand goal by captain Tim Neidbalski, assisted by John Gissy and Brian Clinton. Chris Kellogg and Neidbalski assisted Matt McComy’s power play goal toward the end of the period.
SLU sophomore Chris Kellogg squeezed in two goals in the second period. Jordan Janes and McComy assisted the first goal on a power play and assistant captain Jon Zimmer and Casey Martin assisted on the second. SLU became more aggressive this period, showing Arizona that SLU would not let them have a victory on SLU’s opening night.
“John Melaney was steady with quick, accurate passes, and Chris Saxhaug squared-up and kept the puck away from the goal when John got pulled away,” Bosch said.
The third period brought more penalties from both teams, though mainly from SLU.
“We gave them gift goals, but the team showed character and bounced back. We knew our mistakes and became frustrated, so we took it too personally. We need to take this lesson and control our tempers,” Bosch said.
The game-winning goal was scored almost halfway through the third period when Janes and Reid assisted on a Zimmer shot and goal. SLU shut Arizona out this period as its defense dominated Arizona’s offense. The game ended with 38 shots by Arizona and 27 for SLU.
“Offensively, our top line Tim Niedbalski, Kris Kellogg and John Zimmer, established themselves as a go-to line; and they moved the puck well,” Bosch said.
SLU also played Arizona Saturday night. SLU continued to play well, but tied Arizona.
SLU travels to the University of Illinois this weekend. They will be at home Oct. 19 and 20, to take on Western Michigan University.
