Kent does it to Mullen ... again

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Sun Devils beat Mustangs 4-2, just like they did last week and in just about the same fashion; frustrating setback sends Mullen to a 4-2 mark and the teams will do it again on Saturday. 
 
LITTLETON – They have seen this before … recently.

Kent Denver edged Mullen 4-2 on Friday at The Edge Ice Arena. Just eight days earlier, the Sun Devils also beat the Mustangs 4-2, that one at Big Bear Ice Arena.

And there was more than the final score that was familiar – once again, Mullen, now 4-2 overall, dominated play, had significantly more chances, outshot Kent Denver by a ridiculous total and was frustrated – again – by Sun Devils goalie Cedric Choi.

Same old, same old …

It was a virtual repeat performance that Mustangs head coach Devon Brady didn’t want to revisit.

“There were probably a couple (of goals the Mustangs allowed) that we wanted back,” the coach said. “(Freshman Logan Clothier) didn’t play his best game, but, again, we knew coming in that scoring two goals wasn’t going to be enough. At some point, we have to look in the mirror and realize that we have to score goals.”

About the only difference in two meetings was that Mullen led through two periods of the first game and trailed for most of Friday’s. But the Mustangs’ ability to control play, live in the Sun Devils’ end and pepper Choi with shots arose again as did Mullen’s inability to find the back of the net.

“Same story as the other night,” Brady said, “we absolutely owned them, outplayed them and out-everythinged them … it’s frustrating, disappointing, all of it. I thought we played hard again. We just didn’t score goals, didn’t find a way to get it done, and that’s the game.

“And you have to give (the Sun Devils) credit. They had a really good game plan, they just packed the house, blocked shots and we couldn’t get any love to force them out of that. We got down (2-1) and that just plays into their game.”

Nick Gilbert scored in between two Kent Denver goals in the first period, but the Mustangs never got any closer. Amos Mills’ score in the second period got the Mustangs back within 3-2, but that was it. Kent Denver added a goal midway through the third period and Mullen’s frustration continued.

All told, Mullen outshot Kent Denver 51-23. The Mustangs’ puck movement was good, they chased down a series of loose pucks, kept it in its offensive zone, etc. … and none of it mattered.

Riley Watters, Hayden Klem and Larry Simons contributed assists.

Brady agreed that the Mustangs, who also were 0-for-7 on the power play, hit Choi with a barrage of shots instead of finding open net, but also didn’t fare well on rebounds.

The thing is, the two teams are to meet again … in the span of about 26 hours. A third meeting between them is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27, 6:15 p.m., at Big Bear.

The second meeting, like Saturday’s third, won’t count in the 4A North in this coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of a new Season B. But it will factor into qualifying for the playoffs as just the three league winners and an at-large big will make the postseason.

“You can’t ask for a better situation,” Brady said. “If we don’t come out (Saturday) fired up, then we don’t have a pulse. But I believe in our team. We have to score goals in games that matter.”
 
KENT DENVER 4, MULLEN 2

Kent Denver  2  1  1  –  4

Mullen  1  1  0  --  2 

SCORING

First Period – 1, Kent Denver, Barrett Oxenreider (Joseph Oxenreider, Aidan Elmer, 2:34; 2, Mullen, Nick Gilbert (Riley Watters); 3, Kent Denver, Keaton Helber (Anderson Toler), 2:45.

Second Period – 4, Kent Denver, Thomas Corbett (Blake Wheeler, Sam Choi), 3:34; 5, Mullen, Amos Mills (Hayden Klem, Larry Simons), 11:45.

Third Period – 6, Kent Denver, Nick Verneris (Avi Alper), 7:39.

Shots on goal – Kent Denver 23, Mullen 70.

Saves – Cedric Choi, Kent Denver, 68; Logan Clothier, Mullen, 19.

Penalties – Kent Denver 14 minutes on seven infractions; Mullen 21 minutes on five infractions.

Power plays – Kent Denver 0-for-4; Mullen 0-for-7.
 
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