(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)
The Sun Devils faced a trio of tough challenges this week in Connecticut as they continued to gain experience facing NCAA teams. ASU was coming off a split last weekend in Alaska, but could not rise to the test Quinnipiac, Connecticut, and Sacred Heart, falling to 1-4 in their NCAA slate.
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Quinnipiac 5, Arizona State 0
In the weekend opener against No. 17 Quinnipiac, ASU could not muster up any offense in a five goal defeat to the Bobcats. QU received two goals from Thomas Aldworth, who led the team with three total points, and took advantage of six penalties from ASU, scoring two of their five goals on the power play.
Head coach Greg Powers chose to start Ryland Pashovitz in goal. The net minder was much better than the score indicated. He was pummeled with shots from the first period on and finished with 52 total saves, including 20 in the opening period alone.
The Sun Devils came up empty in minimal chances against the Bobcats, as they were only able to put 14 shots on goal against Michael Garteig, who earned the shutout. Garrett Peterson led the Sun Devils with three shots.
Connecticut 5, Arizona State 1
ASU went into their second game of the weekend on Friday trying to improve on their past performance, and were successful in that they were able to find the back of the net.
Fresh off of a game winning goal last week, Ryan Belonger was able to score his second goal of the season early in the third period. Liam Norris and freshman Joey Raats had assists on the play. The Sun Devils nearly doubled their shot total from the previous game, but had only the one goal to show for it. Jack Rowe, Sean Murphy and Brock Krygier all led the team with three shots.
The Sun Devils played all three of their goalies in the game. Robert Levin got the start but only played three minutes and allowed one goal. Pashovitz took over for him but struggled and allowed three goals on five shots. Freshman David Jacobson got his first game action of the season and was very impressive over the final two periods. He allowed just one goal while saving 28 shots.
Sacred Heart 3, Arizona State 0
Despite playing a much stronger overall game, the Sun Devils still fell to Sacred Heart on Saturday. The Pioneers scored all three of their goals in the third period on ASU goalie Ryland Pashovitz.
The deficit wasn’t small, but both teams still finished with 26 shots. Defenseman Nicholas Gushue led the Sun Devils with four shots, while Evan Jasper and Alex Butcher each had four for the Pioneers. Jasper, along with Justin Danforth and Jacob Brightbill added goals for SHU.
Ryland Pashovitz rebounded after a tough game the previous night to save 23 shots, while Brett Magnus got his first shutout of the season, saving all 26 shots that came his way.
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The Sun Devils will look to rebound from this tough stretch when they face off against Southern New Hampshire in their return to Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe next Friday and Saturday.
You can contact Jacob Janower via e-mail or on Twitter @JanowerJacob
