ASU Hockey: Sun Devils receive first road win of the season

(Photo: Briana Peters/WCSN)

ASU hockey received its first road victory of the season, along with a tie, after the team traveled across the country to take on the Holy Cross Crusaders.

Friday Nov. 24th | ASU 3, Holy Cross 1

After Holy Cross netted the first goal of the game, the Sun Devils put on the pressure to keep the Crusaders’ defense at bay.

“They’re an experienced, veteran team and undefeated at home,” ASU head coach Greg Powers said. “To come back from down 1-0 – we were a little bit sloppy – but we felt like we could control the game if we played the way we wanted. Our guys settled in and played an incredible third period. That’s a great road win.”

ASU freshman Johnny Walker tied the game in the last minute of the second period in a redirection off of a shot by Jacob Wilson. Both Wilson and Brett Gruber donned the assists, giving Gruber his sixth point of the season and making him the new point leader.

The line that consisted of David Norris, Tyler Busch and Joe Lappin led the Sun Devils in their win with two goals being scored between the three. After another redirection of a shot from Wilson by Norris gave the Sun Devils the lead in the third period. The goal was quickly followed by Busch, who tallied the third goal of the night within a minute after Norris’s.

Saturday, Nov. 25th | Holy Cross 3, ASU 3

Shortly after puck drop, Holy Cross scored to give them the lead for the second night in a row. Walker quickly retaliated to even up the scoring.

The Crusaders took the lead back in the second period with two goals.

But a two-goal deficit did not put the Devils down as ASU found a way to close the gap in the same period. Brinson Pasichnuk took a puck to the back of the net and Gruber followed the same suit within a minute later.

An even ending at the end of regulation meant overtime for the Sun Devils and Crusaders. However, neither team was able to score in the extra time. It went down officially as a tie.

“We found a way to match it over the course of 60 minutes,” Powers said. “And we completely dominated the overtime and put our foot on the gas, but couldn’t find the one to put us ahead for good.”

It was the third tie of the season for the Sun Devils. The prior two were against Colgate and Nebraska-Omaha.

ASU has next weekend off before facing Princeton December 8-9.