(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)
Johnny Walker led Arizona State in tonight’s exhibition game against Northern Alberta Institute for Technology, helping it secure a 4-1 victory.
NAIT came out strong with fast opening lines in the first, but due to a high number of penalties (four in the first period), Walker was able to one up the Ooks to get the first point on the board late in the opening frame.
This was just the beginning of what led to a two-point game in the freshman’s ASU hockey debut.
“I’ve been chomping at the bit for a while now to play a game,” Walker said. “It’s been since May and a long summer and lots of workouts so I think everyone was excited to see all the work we’ve put in and see the results right away.”
On the Sun Devils’ second tally of the game, Walker once again found himself involved, this time assisting on a five hole goal by Filips Buncis. ASU’s two-point lead didn’t last long due to NAIT scoring a late power play goal by Jarid Hauptman, but Brett Gruber countered it with a goal of his own. The assist was by Tyler Busch.
Defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk put the nail in the coffin with a third period goal. The scoring attack came in conjunction with a strong performance in net by both sophomore Joey Daccord and Ryland Pashovitz. The junior Pashovitz did not allow a goal during his time in net.
“One of the really shining moments were how our goalies played,” Powers said. “Both were sharp and steady. (Joey Daccrod) made big saves. Pashovitz came in cold and didn’t allowed a goal to be scored.”
Last season, the Sun Devils swept Simon Fraser in a two game exhibition with a combined score of 12-3. Simon Fraser, like NAIT, is another notable Canadian team. With a win like this early in the season, this is proof that hockey in the desert can compete with some of Canada’s top competitors.
“We’re happy with the effort but we’ve got a long way to go,” Powers said.
ASU’s regular season opener will be next weekend, October 6th and 7th, against UMass- Amherst at Oceanside Ice Arena.
