Christian Fischer sends ASU student section into frenzy, but Coyotes drop Mullett Arena opener 3-2 in OT
The first Arizona Coyotes home game at Mullett Arena is officially in the books.
It was a back-and-forth contest full of momentum swings, cheers, boos and free mullet wigs. Ultimately, it took more than the standard 60 minutes to decide a winner.
Ultimately, former Coyotes draft pick and current Jets forward Blake Wheeler scored just 32 seconds into overtime to spoil the ASU homecoming party. But it’s safe to say the hometown fans in attendance still enjoyed the 3-2 overtime loss.
As advertised, Arizona State University students were able to purchase tickets at the south end of the bowl for a discounted rate. The result? A rowdy, jam-packed student section that partied all night long.
With both the ASU and Coyotes logos painted at center ice, it was fitting that both Josh and Shane Doan were on hand to drop the puck for the ceremonial face-off.
Josh, a Coyotes prospect, currently captains the ASU Sun Devils hockey team. Shane, who retired from professional hockey in 2017, is the only player to have his jersey number retired by the Coyotes.
Fischer sent the crowd into a frenzy at the 10:17 mark of the first period when he deflected a long-range shot by Troy Stecher past Jets goaltender David Rittich, scoring the first NHL goal at Mullett Arena and giving the Coyotes a 1-0 lead.