(Photo: Reed Harmon/WCSN)
In their first series after a two month break, the Arizona State Sun Devils defeated Grand Canyon University by a score of 2-1, completing the sweep.
A major key to ASU’s success was senior goaltender Jordan Nash-Boulden. She stopped 60 of the 62 shots faced over the two games played.
“[Nash-Boulden] definitely held us in it, especially today,” said head Coach Linsey Ellis. “Without her it would not be a 2-1 game.”
Sophomore Captain Kat Jones also had high praise for Nash-Boulden’s performance this weekend.
“She comes in day-in and day-out working as hard as she possibly can,” said Jones. “She never disappoints, she always has her head up, and she’s always solid. I can’t say enough good about Jordan.”
Freshman defenseman Emily Kline recorded her third goal of the season during the first period of tonight’s matchup. All three of her goals have been against GCU (Oct.5, Jan.24, Jan.25).
“[Kline] has played so well this weekend,” Ellis said. “She’s not afraid to step up, get it on net, and skate it up as defense.”
Jones continues to be a leader on and off the ice for the Sun Devils. Jones had goals in both games this weekend.
“[Jones] always giving her best effort,” said Ellis. “She’s always getting pucks towards the net…It’s pretty easy as a captain to have her work the hardest and everybody tries to mimic that.”
Throughout the second and third periods of play, there were countless amount of penalties called. ASU was able to have successful penalty kills and scored once on the power play.
“We have really strong special teams,” Jones said. “We got lucky because we’ve only had two weeks back since the break and it’s really hard to get back in shape after going two months without playing a game.”
Arizona State will have a week off as they prepare for No.10 ranked University of Colorado. The Buffaloes have a 10-5 record and are 3-3 on the road.
