TEMPE – Arizona State’s hockey team celebrated a weekend full of firsts at Mullett Arena. First win, first goal and a first chance to rewrite the wrongs from what coach Greg Powers described as a heartbreaking opening weekend.
In a condensed tournament-style format, the No. 15 Sun Devils defeated Notre Dame 5-3 Friday and Alaska Fairbanks 5-2 Saturday to capture the Ice Breaker Tournament.
“We won a trophy and that’s what we wanted to do with this young team, and we’re really proud of them,” Powers said.
ASU freshmen forwards Carmelo Crandell and Ben Kevan scored their first collegiate goals Friday, with Kevan picking up a pair in the victory, including the eventual game winner. Sophomore forward Noah Powell also scored his first as a Sun Devils player.
Between the pipes, freshman goaltender Samuel Urban got the start and played just under 47 minutes before he removed himself from the game due to cramping.
Urban made 36 saves and was credited with the victory. Senior goalie Connor Hasley came in with the Sun Devils up 5-2 and allowed one goal.
Following Friday’s win, Powers wasn’t satisfied with his team’s third period performance once again, especially since ASU’s two losses to No. 5 Penn State to open the season still lingered. The Fighting Irish turned up the heat and generated almost 50 shots on goal, 20 of which came in the third period. Despite holding the lead, Powers pointed to several situations where Notre Dame could have rallied.
“We’re going to be a work in progress for a little bit, but it’s always good when you can learn while you win,” Powers said.
On Saturday, ASU faced Alaska-Fairbanks, a team fresh off an upset victory over the No. 10 Quinnipiac Bobcats the previous night. Arizona State scored five goals against the Nanooks, all of them on the power play.
ASU started the season two for its first 18 on the man advantage. Senior forward Cruz Lucius recorded a hat trick in the third period, and multiple veteran players got involved on the score sheet, including junior forward Kyle Smolen and senior forward Bennett Schimek.
Against Penn State, the ASU veterans were called out by their coach, and they responded in the Ice Breaker Tournament, part of a combined 10-goal weekend for the Sun Devils.
“If you want to be a top team in the country, everybody needs to step up and contribute, and that’s what we’ve been doing,” Lucius said.
Hasley got the start against the Nanooks and made 34 saves for his first win with the Sun Devils, who take a 2-2 record to South Dakota for games against Augustana University Friday and Saturday.
“I’m so happy to get that first one under my belt,” Hasley said. “I think with the group we have, we’ve got a lot more in us.”
A new line combination emerged as sophomore forward Cullen Potter centred freshman Ben Kevan and Carmelo Crandell. The trio put up four points Friday night and combined for 21 shots on goal over the two games.
“They play so fast,” Powers said. “They’re going to be really good for our program.”
With 12 new Sun Devils in the lineup over the weekend, Powers understands it won’t click right away. Even with a trophy to hoist, he knows ASU has work to do before conference play begins in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Oct. 31.
“I think that’s the glaring positive so far, early in the season, we’re doing enough to win games,” Powers said. “We just haven’t put together a full 60 minutes yet.”
Be the first to comment