Goaltending troubles plague Sun Devils in 5-4 loss to Augustana

(Photo: Marina Williams/WCSN)

As Arizona State returned to Tempe to resume its normal schedule just a week ago, the Sun Devils were on the heels of two tournament victories in the inaugural Adirondack Invitational and Desert Hockey Classic, respectively, and a 16-3-5 record overall.

It had been the program’s best start since its promotion to NCAA Division I ahead of the 2015-16 season. But since then, they have lost three straight games all in heartbreaking fashion: two to No. 18 Cornell and Friday’s series opener against Augustana 5-4, quickly falling to 16-6-5 on the year.

When looking at ASU’s recent skid, it’s hard to ignore the team’s track record over the past two seasons. In 2021-22, ASU was 10-10 at the holiday break and picked up five wins (three ranked) over its next seven games before a five-game losing streak that ended its season.

The following year, the Sun Devils had compiled a 9-10 record before the holidays, highlighted by wins over then-ranked North Dakota and eventual national runner-up Minnesota. A harsh four-game losing streak at home in mid-January proved to be the dagger to any remaining tournament hopes.

Heartbreaking would be an understatement to ASU’s 5-4 loss on Friday evening, as Augustana scored five goals in just 15 total shots on goal. Meanwhile, the Sun Devils put up 38, and jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, to the likes of senior forward Matthew Kopperud and sophomore forward Ryan Alexander within the first 10 minutes of play.

By the end of the first period, the Vikings had struck back on junior defenseman Brady Ziemer’s mid-range slapshot just in front of the blue line and a shorthanded goal from fifth-year forward Chase Brand. Brand would later score for a second time on a power-play early in the third.

ASU head coach Greg Powers hurriedly expressed his frustrations after the game in a press conference that lasted just one minute. “You’re not going to win any games, letting in five goals on 15 shots and letting in five goals on two scoring chances,” he said.

Once again, the Sun Devils found little success in the power-play, only converting one of six on the night. In the seven games since the holidays, ASU has only been successful four times through 22 power-play opportunities, but still rank seventh in the nation in power-play percentage.

It was an uncharacteristic night for junior netminder TJ Semptimphelter, who allowed three goals on just six shots. Semptimphelter was recently named to the Mike Richter Award watch list for the second consecutive year, awarded annually by The Hockey Commissioners Association to the top goalie in men’s NCAA Division I hockey. Sophomore Gibson Homer was substituted in relief with just under 10 minutes remaining in the second period.

When asked what he needed to see from his team on Saturday, Powers’s answer was short: “saves.”

It will be a fairly steep uphill battle from here for the Sun Devils, who have a near-zero margin for error through their final 11 games. They currently tie Colorado College for 17th in the Pairwise rankings. With ASU’s highest-ranked opponents behind them, it will be difficult to make gains in the rankings. While a tournament berth is still attainable, any additional losses could prove to be a carbon copy of the program’s recent history.

The Sun Devils will look to earn the split in the series finale on Saturday at 7 p.m.