ASU Women’s Hockey: Backup goalies stay ready

(Photo: Reagan Smith/WCSN)

Being a backup goaltender can be a stressful job. At any time, they could be called into action when needed the most.

The Sun Devils Women’s Hockey team always have sophomores Macy Eide and Landry Phelps ready for action if called upon.

This past weekend in Colorado, both Eide and Phelps had the opportunity to play a game between the pipes. 

“I just always try to be prepared going into any weekend,” Phelps said. “Just planning to play every single game. I’m sure Jordan [Nash-Boulden] was glad that we got to split up the times.”

Though the trio of goaltenders possesses a natural talent at the position, it is the best of the bunch that gets the opportunity to represent their team in the net each game.

“There’s always hope about getting in net,” Eide said. “But at the end of the day, it’s just who’s performing best.”

For goalie coach Kaley Marino, having three puck-stoppers that the team can trust is a good problem to have. 

“Seeing their success is fun because it’s important to me,” Marino said. “The more confident they are, the more they’re gonna do well. So seeing them improve and learn under Jordan has been really important.”

Having the right mindset is key, especially when you don’t know when your moment may arise. Eide does a few things to stay loose on the bench. 

“Personally it just depends on how the game is going,” said Eide. “If Jordan or Landry are looking super strong, usually I’ll just take a couple seconds and stretch out every now and then. But if the game is not going too hot then usually I’ll do some visualization and just refocusing to make sure that I’m ready to go at any time in case coach needs me.”

Nash-Boulden has been the heart and soul of this team since its existence. As a senior, Eide and Phelps will use this season to learn as much from her as possible.

“She’s a huge role model for me,” Phelps said. “I know I have big shoes to fill whenever she graduates. She’s a huge inspiration for me and she does so much for the program on and off the ice.”

This past weekend, all three goaltenders got time on the ice. Eide and Phelps both recorded their first career shutouts against the University of Denver.

“It definitely felt good,” Phelps said. “Honestly going into that game, I felt like it was more of an expectation than an achievement. If it had gone any other way I probably would have been a little disappointed.”

The shutouts are not created without the supporting cast of the improved defense of the Devils.

“My main thing for that game was being able to finally see the freshmen and see what they can do out there, so that was killer,” Eide said. “I really give all my shutout props to them because Denver wasn’t in my zone for the majority of the time and that definitely helped.”

The stellar performances consistently being presented from the goaltenders prove that there is a bright future in the net. The team has relied on the colorful mask of Nash-Boulden for the past four years.

With Nash-Boulden’s tenure coming down to its final year, ASU comfortably rests in the hands of both Phelps and Eide.

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