ASU Hockey: Sun Devils return from unsuccessful Colgate series to round out road trip

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

Sun Devil hockey (1-5-2) concluded a three-week winless stretch on the road against Colgate this weekend.

The Raiders earned their first shutout of the year (3-0) in the series opener, and while ASU returned hopeful to the Class of 1965 Arena, the Devils closed the series with a 1-1 tie.

Throughout the weekend, the bottom line was that ASU lacked offensively and was heavily outshot 82-42.

After falling to Air Force in two one-goal losses, the Sun Devils displayed a similar pattern last weekend against Nebraska-Omaha when they dropped the series opener and then went into overtime on Saturday only to emerge with a tie.

Friday, Oct. 27 – Colgate 3, ASU 0

The Raiders showed consistency offensively on Friday, scoring a goal each period. The Sun Devils were unable to return the points due to a combination of turnovers, penalties and an ineffective offense.

“Bottom-line is our guys just weren’t ready to play tonight,” ASU head coach Greg Powers said. “The guys we need to step up just aren’t getting the job done and are taking penalties in situations they simply can’t if we want to find success.”

Colgate furthered its one-point lead by scoring on ASU’s lone penalty in the second, while the Devils were unable to take advantage of their two power play opportunities during the period.

The stats were fairly even in the final period, with both teams taking nearly an equal amount of shots and possession during face-offs, but the Raiders overpowered ASU’s defense and sent the final puck in at 10:45.

Saturday, Oct. 28 – Colgate 1, ASU 1

After a scoreless first period, the Sun Devils returned in the second and posted the initial lead over their opponent – a feat the team has been unable to do on the road this season.

ASU’s Tyler Busch, who was one of the team’s top scorers last year, earned his first goal of the season off an assist from Steenn Pasichnuk in the second period.

The Sun Devils maintained the lead heading into the final period, which was in part due to Joey Daccord’s effort in between the pipes during the first and second periods when he saved all 33 of Colgate’s shots.

“We got great play out of our goalie and that was great to see,” Powers said. “He gave us a chance to win tonight and that’s all you can ask.”

Daccord’s shutout came to a close when the Raiders responded with a game-tying goal late in the third.

During the overtime period, Daccord kept the Raiders at bay but his teammates were unable to maintain possession of the puck, which deterred their chances of posting the final lead.

Powers described the tie as “bittersweet” and acknowledged the need for an overall improvement on the offense moving forward.

“We just go in and reset and focus on winning on home ice,” Powers said. “We like our team, and they’re learning how to compete and win at this level, and if we can streak a few together, they’re going to get it.”

The Sun Devils return to Oceanside Arena for a series against Alabama-Huntsville next weekend.