Box Score TEMPE, Ariz. - The Northern Michigan University hockey team concluded its trip to Arizona, dropping the second contest against the no. 18 Arizona State University Sun Devils by a score of 5-1.

Tanner Latsch scored his nation-leading seventh goal of the season, on the power play once again, extending his point streak to four games. Both Artem Shlaine and Josh Zinger recorded assists. The Wildcats continued to take too many penalties and then struggled on the PK, allowing three goals from six attempts, a recipe that doesn't usually lead to good results.

The 'Cats came out of the gate buzzing, running the Sun Devils' show with quality looks and great puck possession early. The 'Cats were unable to capitalize on any of its opportunities, as Michael Colella and Jack Perbix both narrowly missed their respective chances, then just like that, it felt as if a switch were flipped and ASU came to play. The second half of the frame was dominated by the Sun Devils, which included two posts hit to the side of goalkeeper Beni Halasz, who was arguably the Wildcats' best player in the first frame, stopping all 13 Sun Devils' shots on target. The Wildcats got its first power play opportunity of the evening with under five minutes to play, but couldn't find a hold of the puck or zone time, coming away without a shot attempt.

The Wildcats started the frame on the PK, but ultimately generated more chances than the Sun Devils, as Andre Ghantous was all over the ice wreaking havoc. Tanner Latsch and the NMU power play remained firing on all cylinders, but too many penalties against the 'Cats were the issue in the middle frame, as two of the three ASU goals came from being a man up.

The 'Cats didn't do themselves any favors, taking three penalties in the third period, including a five-minute major. The Sun Devils only scored on one of those opportunities, but seconds after the major penalty ended the Sun Devils scored their fourth-straight goal to take a 5-1 lead.  

The Wildcats now move to 0-3-1 overall, and the Sun Devils move to an unblemished 4-0-0 overall, its best start in program history.

Cat Nips

• Tanner Latsch scored his seventh goal of the season and sixth on the power play, both NCAA-best marks, extending his point streak to four games
• Both Artem Shlaine and Josh Zinger recorded assists, giving Zinger his team-leading sixth assist and also extending his point streak to four
• Beni Halasz made 28 saves on 33 shots faced
• The Wildcats went 1-3 on the power play, and the Sun Devils went 3-6 on the man advantage

How It Happened
1st Period
The Wildcats started the game exactly how they needed to, on the front foot and really pushing the tempo. Controlling a majority of the chances early, both Michael Colella and Jack Perbix were able to get grade-A opportunities, unable to capitalize. 

The Sun Devils really flipped a switch after weathering the Wildcats' early storm and earned their own chances through the first. Not only did the Sun Devils control the shots and possession, but two posts were hit in the process, and the 'Cats remained unscathed. 

The Wildcats earned a power play opportunity late in the evening, but were unsuccessful and weren't able to set up any sort of control. The Sun Devils were then rewarded with a power play with 14 seconds left, which carried over to start the second.

2nd Period
The Sun Devils opened the scoring in the dying seconds of the man advantage, after what looked like an outstanding penalty kill from the 'Cats. Quick puck movement around the perimeter found the stick of Schoen, who scored his first goal of the season. 

Tanner Latsch opened the scoring for the Wildcats on the power play, as he unloaded a one-timer from the right faceoff circle that beat Semptimphelter to the far side. Both Artem Shlaine and Josh Zinger received assists on the play. 

The Sun Devils were awarded another power play, Kopperud was left all alone on the far post, and he finished his opportunity to give the Sun Devils the lead once again.

The Sun Devils scored from a chance that seemingly came out of nowhere. Miscommunication between Halasz and Nyberg led to the puck finding the stick of an ASU forechecker who dished it to Alex Young who had a yawning cage to look at with Halasz stuck behind the net.

3rd Period
The 'Cats were whistled for back-to-back infractions to start the period. They killed the first successfully, but gave up another power-play goal on the second kill, extending the Sun Devil lead to three.

Isaak Bandu was whistled for contact to the head, a five-minute major, and a game misconduct. The 'Cats successfully killed the major infraction, but moments later found the back of the net again.

The Sun Devils would go on to win 5-1, with three power-play goals.

Up Next
The Wildcats come home to the new ice surface for its first CCHA conference matchup of the season, facing off against the Ferris State Bulldogs