ASU Hockey: Analyzing the two game series against Alberta

(Photo: Tyler Paley/WCSN)

Oh, Canada.

After a physical, hard fought exhibition series with the University of Alberta in Tempe this weekend, the Arizona State Sun Devils get ready to get back on the road having twice tied with one of the best teams the CIS has to offer.

While the teams technically split the series 1-1 after trading blows in a shootout, rules of an exhibition state that the official result is based off of the score at the end of regulation. That being said, while the overtime period provided additional entertainment for the home crowd, nothing after the final buzzer actually counted.

Regardless, the Sun Devils made some positive strides against a competitive team and also saw some lingering issues resurface. No matter the official result, there can always be something taken away for a series as hotly contested as this particular series ended up being.

“This is my favorite rink…”

Ryan Ostertag was more than excited to be playing back at Oceanside this weekend and it showed on the ice. Ostertag scored two goals on Friday night and played a crucial role on a third line that was instrumental to Arizona State’s success.

Comprised of Ryan Belonger, Liam Norris and Ostertag, the line combined to score seven points, including four points from Belonger. On a team that features 15 freshmen, it’s encouraging to see the veterans stepping up and making the impact that these three made in this series.

“They’re great, they’re kids that have been here and they know how to play in this building,” ASU head coach Greg Powers said. “They know ever gremlin in each corner that comes out at Oceanside and it was nice that they had a good weekend against a really good team.”

Special teams woes

Yet again, the Devils struggled on special teams, going 0-11 in the series on the powerplay. The ineptitude on the man advantage made an impact, more specifically on the second night when the team failed to capitalize on any of their seven power play attempts.

“We have a young team that is really competing hard and winning battles and we’re proud of them,” Powers said. “But our youth and inexperience is showing on special teams.”

Powers continues to place an emphasis on getting it right in practice, so the power play statistics will be something to keep an eye on when the team travels to Troy, N.Y. next weekend to take on RPI.

Resiliency

Despite being outshot 83-41 in the series, the Sun Devils managed to make their limited opportunities count, going blow for blow with Alberta’s offensive barrage. The series itself featured five lead changes and five ties, including a goal to tie Friday’s game up with: 14 seconds remaining in the third period by Ryan Belonger.

“We’re proud of our guys, that’s such a good team,” Powers said. “I can straight up tell you that if you would’ve told me we went into a shootout with that team two nights in a row, I would’ve taken it all day.”

Series Notes

• Garrett Peterson was a healthy scratch from both games and Nicholas Gushue sat out of Saturday night’s game.
• Ryland Pashovitz missed both games with an illness. Expect him to be good to go against RPI.
• This series was Brock Krygier’s first as the team’s fourth captain.

You can contact Colton Dodgson via e-mail or on Twitter @DodgsonColton

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