ASU Hockey: Clarkson outlasts Sun Devils in both games of weekend series

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

Arizona State went into New York with the chance to go over .500 for the first time all season, but came up empty in a pair of games against Clarkson University. The Sun Devils are now 5-8 in NCAA play after being outscored by four goals in the two games played.

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Clarkson 3, Arizona State 2
The closer of the two games saw the Sun Devils take their only lead of the weekend when Jack Rowe’s first NCAA goal put ASU up 2-1 in the second period. However, the Golden Knights tied the score in that period and took the lead for good in the third period.

Once again, ASU head coach Greg Powers started Ryland Pashovitz in net. It was the ninth start of the season for the freshman. He allowed three goals on 36 shots, putting his save percentage at .923. His 4-6 record as a goalie has not been a good reflection of just how well Pashovitz has played, as he has been stellar insurance for some health issues that ASU has had in net.

Offensively, points leaders Jordan Masters (14) and Joey Raats (11) added on to their total with an assist each. Raats assisted on Rowe’s goal while Masters earned his assist on the first goal of the game, which was scored by Ryan Belonger.

Outside of the second period, ASU had trouble generating an offensive attack, leading to missed opportunities to tie or take the lead throughout the latter stages of play. The Sun Devils managed only six shots in the final period. The inability to get the puck into their offensive zone forced ASU to pull Pashovitz for only 49 seconds to end the game.

 Clarkson 4, Arizona State 1
The Golden Knights built a healthy lead in the second period on Saturday and did not look back, taking care of the Sun Devils in much easier fashion than the previous night.

Clarkson rode two goals from A.J. Fossen to a four goal lead and surrendered just one goal back to give them the win. Ryan Ostertag scored the lone goal for ASU, the second goal of his comeback season.

The big story heading into this game was that Robert Levin would be starting in goal, his first start since Oct. 9. He was impressive in the first period but struggled after that, allowing four goals on 18 shots in the final two periods. The move suggested that Levin, rather than freshman David Jacobson, may be the backup goalie to Pashovitz on the depth chart.

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With their first home games in over a month coming up next weekend, it will be back to the drawing board for the Sun Devils to regain the winning formula.  ASU will host the University of Alberta (CIS) on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe.

You can contact Jacob Janower via e-mail or on Twitter @JanowerJacob

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