By SAM ROBINSON · The Skatin’ Rebels edged the University of Arizona 5-4 Thursday night, scoring a late third-period power-play goal to secure the conference win. UNLV…
The Skatin’ Rebels edged the University of Arizona 5-4 Thursday night, scoring a late third-period power-play goal to secure the conference win.
UNLV started Liam Choquette in net, while Arizona started Hadyn Gould, who had made seven starts for the Wildcats.
The conference matchup started slowly, with the first action coming at 7:10 when the Rebels drew a penalty, putting them on the power play.
During the man advantage, Bryce Johnson scored on a rebound off Mario DiMaggio’s shot attempt, with Easton Edwards getting the secondary assist.
A few minutes after taking the lead, the Rebels were assessed a two-minute minor penalty, giving the Wildcats a man advantage.
UNLV held off Arizona during the penalty kill, but three seconds after the penalty expired, the Wildcats scored to even the score at 1-1 in the opening period.
The Rebels took two more penalties in the final minutes of the first period, resulting in a 13-second 3-on-5 disadvantage. UNLV successfully killed off the penalties and held off the Wildcats.
While shorthanded, Charlie Masek stole the puck from an Arizona player in the neutral zone and skated toward the net, scoring to give the Rebels a 2-1 lead while on the penalty kill.
With 30 seconds remaining in the first period, Arizona scored again to even the game once again.
A scrum after the whistle resulted in an Arizona power play to start the second period. The Rebels successfully killed the penalty.
Despite the slow start, UNLV began building momentum as the period progressed, creating more offensive opportunities.
UNLV continued to apply offensive pressure throughout the period despite not scoring since the first. During the first half of the middle frame, the Rebels outshot the Wildcats 15-5.
With five minutes remaining in the second period, both teams were assessed two-minute minor penalties, resulting in 4-on-4 play.
After an Arizona player lost possession, Deven Nagra passed the puck to Masek, who skated into the slot and shot over Gould's shoulder to give the Rebels a 3-2 lead late in the period.
Three penalties were called against the Rebels during the second period, contributing to the physicality between the two teams.
UNLV capitalized on the remaining power-play time early in the third. Johnson sent the puck across the blue line to Easton Edwards, who passed it to Backel. Backel scored off the one-timer pass, doubling the Rebels' lead.
The scrums continued into the third period. After an Arizona player pushed Choquette into the net, another scrum ensued, resulting in a 4-on-3 advantage.
During the ensuing sequence, Arizona scored on the power play, cutting the Rebels' lead to 4-3.
It marked the first time in four games that UNLV had allowed a power-play goal.
The Rebels were then assessed another penalty, giving Arizona another opportunity on the power play.
A little more than halfway through the period, the Wildcats evened the score after winning a faceoff in the Rebels' zone.
Shortly after the goal, UNLV took another penalty but successfully killed it.
With five minutes remaining, the Rebels called a timeout to regroup before a neutral-zone faceoff.
UNLV was then assessed a hooking penalty, prompting Arizona to call a timeout of its own.
During the penalty kill, Arizona applied offensive pressure, but Choquette stood strong in net to keep the game tied.
With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, UNLV drew a penalty, earning another power-play opportunity.
At 18:38, one minute into the power play, Johnson sent the puck to Boren, who took a shot that Backel tipped into the net to give the Rebels a 5-4 lead.
Arizona had 1:22 remaining to find the equalizer but did not pull Gould for an extra attacker. The Wildcats were unable to score before the final buzzer, giving UNLV the victory.
The Rebels finished the night with a 43-23 advantage in shots on goal. UNLV was assessed 11 penalties throughout the game and will look to cut that number down in game two.
The Rebels will return to Tucson Arena on Friday night to close out the series against the Wildcats.
Three Stars
1. Luke Backel - 2G, 1A
2. Charles Masek - 2G
3. Bryce Johnson - 1G, 2A