ASU Hockey: Sun Devils unable to bring official victory back to desert

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

Arizona State hockey dropped the series opener to Nebraska-Omaha and was unable to return to the desert with a win after posting a 4-4 tie with the Mavericks on Saturday.

The Sun Devils (1-4-1) won 5-4 in a shootout in the second game. However, NCAA rules state that after two overtime periods the outcome is recorded as tie – the final official score remains 4-4.

“We are treating this like a win,” ASU head coach Greg Powers said. “It’s a big turning point in our season I think against a really good team on the road and we fought back.”

Friday, Oct. 20 – UNO 5, ASU 1

The Sun Devils’ compounded mistakes led to the 5-1 loss to UNO on Friday.

ASU’s ineffective communication allowed Omaha to score three goals on missed passes and turnovers.

Powers said one of those errors caused the team to lose its building momentum in the second period. UNO took advantage of a misplayed puck from goaltender Ryland Pashovitz that was supposed to be cleared by defenseman Jakob Stridsberg.

Despite outshooting UNO during the second and third, the Sun Devils’ lone goal came in the final period from Stridsberg on the power play.

A continuous theme for the Sun Devils has been improving on special teams, but they were unable to make significant strides on Friday. The Mavericks scored on a power play that created a four-point lead late in the third – making a return for ASU out of the question.

Saturday, Oct. 21 – UNO 4, ASU 4

 After falling to UNO the first night, the Sun Devils were able to return from deficits each period, the Sun Devils officially tied 4-4 and eventually won a sudden-death shootout 5-4.

“We couldn’t have started the game any worse,” Powers said. “They were all over us and the guys fought through it.”

Although ASU was outshot by UNO 18-5 in the first period, the Sun Devils were still able to cut the 2-0 lead to one with another goal from Stridsberg.

ASU freshman Gvido Jansons netted his first collegiate goal and tied up the score in the second. However, the Mavericks answered again by capitalizing on the man advantage and regaining the lead.

The Sun Devils went into third period down by a goal, but after going back and forth with the Mavericks they were able to send the game into overtime. With an empty net for ASU, freshman Max Balinson scored his first goal at 19:22 in the third.

Although ASU made improvement from the series opener, their efforts to follow up on the Mavericks seemingly constant lead resulted in a 4-4 tie.

Both teams played strong defense in the overtime periods, with ASU goaltender Joey Daccord making impressive saves under pressure.

“I’m proud of him, he really played well tonight,” Powers said of Daccord’s performance.

Jack Rowe scored during the exhibition shootout, earning the first star of the game and giving ASU the final lead of 5-4.

Next Week

ASU concludes its three-week road trip by traveling to New York for a series against Colgate next weekend.

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