By SAM ROBINSON · The UNLV Skatin’ Rebels opened their midweek series against Arizona State University on Tuesday night with a 4-0 victory at City National Arena, earn…
The UNLV Skatin’ Rebels opened their midweek series against Arizona State University on Tuesday night with a 4-0 victory at City National Arena, earning their second consecutive shutout.
Liam Choquette got the start in net for the Rebels after making both starts last weekend and earning two wins, including a shutout. Arizona State countered with Alexander Wendt.
The Rebels controlled much of the opening frame, outshooting Arizona State 20-11 through the period. UNLV killed two penalties, while ASU killed one to keep the scoresheet empty.
Following the horn, a scrum between the teams resulted in double-minor penalties for both sides, setting up a 4-on-4 to begin the second period.
The teams returned to even strength without a goal before UNLV drew another penalty and went on the power play. During the man advantage, the Rebels took a penalty of their own, creating another 4-on-4.
This time, UNLV found the scoreboard.
Asher Wites started the play in the defensive zone, sending the puck to Dylan Jensen, who carried it into the offensive zone and toward the net. Jensen's shot was deflected by Wendt, and freshman Zachary Boren was there to collect the rebound and put it past for a 1-0 UNLV lead.
The Rebels continued to pressure Arizona State, killing another penalty midway through the period. UNLV only allowed the Sun Devils three shots on goal for the middle frame, creating 21 shots of their own.
The Rebels drew two more penalties late in the period but were unable to convert on either power play. A final penalty in the closing seconds carried over into the third period, leaving UNLV to begin the frame on the penalty kill.
The Rebels successfully killed their sixth penalty of the night to maintain their one-goal advantage.
Five minutes into the third, UNLV doubled its lead following a faceoff in the offensive zone.
Bryce Johnson won the draw and sent the puck back to Easton Edwards. After Edwards briefly lost control, Luke Backel recovered the puck near the top of the circle and returned it to Edwards, who carried it around the net before finding Johnson at the opposite faceoff dot.
Johnson fired a shot past Wendt to make it 2-0.
As Arizona State looked to build momentum, Choquette continued to turn away the Sun Devils' chances.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Jensen extended the Rebels' lead to 3-0.
Jensen intercepted an Arizona State pass and sent the puck into the neutral zone before using his speed to catch up to it and create a breakaway opportunity. He carried the puck toward the net and beat Wendt for his first goal of the season, extending UNLV's lead to 3-0. The goal was unassisted.
UNLV added one more goal later in the period.
After a battle along the boards, Edwards and Backel worked the puck between them before finding Johnson in the slot. Johnson finished the play for his second goal of the night, sealing the 4-0 victory.
Choquette stopped all 22 shots he faced to earn his second consecutive shutout and third of the season in just eight starts. The victory also marked UNLV's second straight shutout and snapped Arizona State's three-game winning streak.
Three Stars
Bryce Johnson - 2G
Dylan Jensen - 1G, 1A
Zachary Boren - 1G
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Photo by Aidan Rael