Categories: Hockey

ASU Hockey: Busch comes up clutch for Sun Devils

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

In the opening clash between Arizona State and Princeton, ASU head coach Greg Powers didn’t see a leader on the ice. Following nearly two weeks off from games, the team needed to find someone to ignite a spark.

Tonight, they found that in Tyler Busch.

Busch failed to produce anything of measure in game one, but was the first to light the post up for the Devils in the series.

“I feel like once we get one goal, we kind of get into the game,” goaltender Joey Daccord said. “I think tonight, once we scored the game changed. Once [Busch] made a really nice shot and scored, it was 1-1, all of a sudden ‘Okay, we can play. We’re good.’”

But tonight was a different type of game for Busch. While Dylan Hollman and Louie Rowe watched the game from outside the glass, Busch, along with defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk, donned one of the assistant captain patches.

That’s something Powers takes very seriously.

“They’re the future captains,” Powers said. “So it’s just kind of like captains-in-training. They did a great job and you’ll see them with letters on their jerseys before it’s all said and done.”

Although he had the distinction of being one of the leaders for the game, Busch said he wasn’t doing anything differently.

“I just tried to pitch in a little bit more and just tried to be myself and bring the same energy I do every night,” Busch added.

As soon as the Devils hit the ice, they played a much more aggressive game than the prior nights, a pattern that has been a frequent struggle for the team. Busch’s goal turned that spark into a flame.

“That’s just what we do,” Powers said. “We did it in Omaha, we did it this weekend. It’s going to get to a point, it has to get to a point as we continue to gain more experience where we can string games together but its been good on Friday and bad on Saturday but what I’m really proud of is that this teams fights back.”

Busch tallied two assists following his momentum changing goal.

Powers says that torch leader in aggression went to Filips Buncis.

“That’s the kid we recruited,” Powers said. “He was a force, he was physical. He just had three huge hits that were impactful and it hurt who they hit and they were clean. He was moving his feet. he can build off this.”

“I think that’s kind of our identity, being tough to play against,” Busch said. “We got a pretty big team and strong team so any time we can mix it up and get kind of physical with them is good.”

Busch finished the night tallying up one goal and two assists, giving him a new season total of 11 points.

The Sun Devils came out victorious in their first official over time win of the season. Norris banked the final goal of the night, his second for the game.

“Moving forward, we need to keep up that intensity,” Busch said.