(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)
In their first two games of 2016, the Sun Devils picked up right where they left off, losing two games in blowout fashion. St. Cloud State, who entered as the No. 5 ranked team in the country, outscored the Sun Devils by a combined score of 13-1 in the two games. ASU has now lost eight straight NCAA contests.
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St. Cloud State 6, Arizona State 1
The Sun Devils got off to an early lead on Garrett Peterson’s first goal of the season, but it lasted for just over a minute on the first of six consecutive goals by the Huskies.
It was a rough go of it in net for Ryland Pashovitz against arguably the toughest competition he has faced all season. “Pash” allowed two goals in each period and was eventually replaced by David Jacobson at the end of the third period.
ASU did not exactly help out Pashovitz, as they once again were outshot, this time 38-23. Huskies’ goalie Charlie Lindgren was fantastic after the early goal. Peterson, Jordan Masters and Matt Kennedy all had three shots to lead ASU. Anthony Croston was also a notable offensive performer, assisting on Peterson’s goal.
With the loss, the Sun Devils have now allowed six goals in two consecutive games, scoring just one goal in those contests.
St. Cloud State 7, Arizona State 0
Game two for the Sun Devils went worse than the first. ASU was never really in it as the Huskies got off to an early lead and did not look back, extending on their performance in the first game to give them 13 unanswered goals for the series.
Robert Levin, who got the start, and David Jacobson combined for 44 saves but the lack of defensive help led to them allowing seven goals, including two on the power play.
ASU head coach Greg Powers shook up the Sun Devils starting lineup, as both Garrett Peterson and Anthony Croston were moved to the first line alongside Jack Rowe.
One positive for ASU was that they managed 31 shots, the most in the team’s last eight games.
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The Sun Devils will have a short break before returning home to play Connecticut on Jan. 5. They will then play a tournament with Michigan Tech, Yale and UCONN in the Desert Hockey Classic, taking place at Gila River Arena from Jan. 8-10.
You can contact Jacob Janower via e-mail or on Twitter @JanowerJacob
