ASU Hockey: Sun Devils hold on to beat Mercyhurst for first win of season

Photo: Sun Devil Athletics

Arizona State recorded their first win of the season Sunday, defeating Mercyhurst 6-4 in the second game of a season-opening tww-match set.

The Sun Devils survived a late comeback attempt from the Lakers, who potted two late power play goals before the Sun Devils scored an empty-netter to preserve the win.

Brinson Pasichnuk scored the game-winner 3:44 into the third period, one of three points on the afternoon for the senior defenceman and team captain.

“They’re not always going to be pretty, but we got it done,” said Pasichnuk.

The Sun Devils scored on three of their eight power plays, while Mercyhurst went 2-4 on the man advantage.

“That was the difference in the game,” said ASU head coach Greg Powers. “A couple of them weren’t exactly how you draw them up but at the end of the day we potted three.”

The Sun Devils struck first, as sophomore defenseman Josh Maniscalco buried a feed from James Sanchez on Arizona State’s first power play of the game. Pasichnuk was also credited with a secondary assist on the goal.

Although Arizona State controlled possession for much of the first period, Mercyhurst was able to generate several quality scoring chances thanks to a strong forecheck and several ASU giveaways. Gueorgui Feduolov evened the score at one on the Lakers’ first shot of the game following a turnover by the Sun Devils in the offensive zone. The goal was Feduolov’s first in the NCAA.

The game remained tied heading into the first intermission but ASU regained the lead when sophomore winger Demetrios Koumontzis scored another power play goal a minute and six seconds into the second period.

The Sun Devils would score two more times before the end of the period, with linemates Sanchez and Johnny Walker also finding the back of the Mercyhurst net.

“That line was awesome,” said ASU head coach Greg Powers. “To be honest, they dominated last night’s game too.”

Mercyhurst’s Josh McDougall silenced the crowd with two minutes and 40 seconds remaining in the second, scoring on a hard slap shot from the corner of the rink that somehow eluded ASU netminder Max Prawdzik and cut the Sun Devil lead to two heading into the second intermission.

ASU opened the scoring in the third, when Pasichnuk hammered a slap shot from the right point that deflected off the stick of a Mercyhurst defenceman and over Metcalf’s glove.

“That was a little bit lucky,” Pasichnuk said. “It just shows that every goal is so important in a game like this.”

Mercyhurst would rally late, making it a one-goal game thanks to power play goals from senior winger James Anderson and sophomore defenceman Owen Norton. Metcalf was pulled for an extra skater with 45 seconds remaining in the contest, but Johnny Walker scored his second goal of the game into the empty net with 11.4 seconds left to solidify the Sun Devil victory.

Prawdzik faced 21 shots in his ASU debut, making 17 saves and earning his first win as a member of the Maroon and Gold. Metcalf, also making his first start of the season, stopped 35 of the 40 shots he faced.

Sophomore defenceman Jacob Wilson also made his season debut after missing Friday night’s game as part of a two-game suspension dating back to last season. Wilson featured prominently on ASU’s penalty kill and recorded three shots on net in his return.

Arizona State (1-1) will now head north to face Minnesota State on October 11 and 12, while Mercyhurst (1-1) will return home to face St. Lawrence University.