ASU Women’s Hockey: Devils struggle in three-day WWCHL Showcase

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

The Arizona State women’s club hockey team had a difficult weekend in Boulder, Colorado at the Western Women’s Collegiate Hockey showcase tournament this weekend.

Over a course of three days, the Sun Devils played four games and were unable to come back to Tempe with any wins.

On Friday night, the Devils faced the University of Minnesota, who is currently ranked No. 7 in the country for ACHA women’s hockey. Despite losing 6-1, the game went a bit differently than what the score says.

During the first period, ASU let in two goals in a span of ten minutes. However, the Sun Devils refused to leave the first period without a goal. During a power play, ASU capitalized with a goal from senior forward Dannika Borges, who was set up by Alyssa Ayers and KC McGinley. Leaving the first period, ASU was down 2-1.

The second period was uneventful, only seeing one goal scored by Minnesota and none by Arizona State. ASU was unable to come back during the third period, letting up three more goals to the Gophers.

The second game of the tournament for the Sun Devils looked quite like their game against University of Minnesota. This time only the opponent was different. On Saturday morning, ASU played No. 4 Lindenwood-Belleview University, falling again 6-1.

The Lynx put three goals in the back of the net including two by forward Reagan Fuller. Much like the first game, Arizona State left the period with a goal, scored by McGinley, which would be the lone goal of the game. Lindenwood-Belleview scored one goal of the second period and then two in the third.

Hours later, ASU played their third game of the tournament against Midland University, who is currently ranked No. 14 in the ACHA rankings.

Midway through the first period, sophomore forward Alyssa Ayers tallied her first collegiate goal to give the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead. Taylor England and Amber Galles picked up the assists on the goal.

Less than five minutes later, Robin Hatcher tied the game 1-1. The Sun Devils were unable to escape the first period with a tie, as Isabelle Uhl Chmiel finished one to the net to give Midland a 2-1 lead.

The game would conclude with a score of 2-1, which was arguably ASU’s best game of the tournament before their contest against Grand Canyon.

On Sunday morning, the Devils played their final game of the WCHL showcase tournament against in-state rivals Grand Canyon, coming into the game 1-1 in their first two games of the season against GCU.

Although ASU outshot the Lopes 39 to 19, the Sun Devils were unable to finish one in the net. Emily Exner scored with less than eight minutes remaining in the first period. Exner’s goal for the Lopes would be the only goal of the game, giving GCU a 1-0 win, their first win in the history of the program.

The rest of the game consisted of a handful of penalties taken by both teams. Borges had two out of the five penalties during the morning game.

Over the course of the weekend, Jordan Nash-Boulden faced a total of 184 shots and only allowed 15 of those shots to go in. It is not surprising that Nash-Boulden faced 184 shots, as in every single game on the weekend, the Sun Devils were down at least six players compared to other teams due to their small roster size. ASU managed 81 shots, despite being short players.

This weekend at the WCHL showcase, head coach Lindsey Ellis and the team can come away with a learning experience. The team fought through each game, not giving up, despite the struggles they were facing.

The Sun Devils faced all ranked opponents besides Grand Canyon, preparing them for the rest of their season schedule including series against Midland and Miami of Ohio.

ASU will have a two-week break before replaying Midland in a two-game series at Oceanside Ice Arena on November 17 and 18.