(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)
One day removed from scoring eight goals, the Arizona State Sun Devils weren’t able to match that total, but still delivered an impressive offensive showing to win 6-1 and sweep the Ohio Bobcats.
Hobey Baker Award nominee Jordan Masters led the way with a hat trick, the first in Sun Devil Hockey history.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time I had one so it is good to get it back finally.”
Three other ASU players came together for the other goals. In addition, seven different Sun Devils earned assists, including Liam Norris and Drew Newmeyer, who led the way with two each.
ASU head coach Greg Powers contended yesterday that Ohio had outplayed ASU and that the Sun Devils did not look like an NCAA team that was playing against a team from the level below them. The story was different for this contest, as Powers remarked that he was much more pleased with his players’ effort this time around.
“I thought we played way better,” he said. “We fought hard for 60 minutes. They had played three in three days, so it was important for us to crush any hopes they might have had of an upset. I was really happy with the guys and thought we had a consistent effort for 60 minutes.”
Despite neither yesterday nor today’s game counting towards their overall record, both wins are a huge momentum boost to a Sun Devil team that entered as losers of its last 13 NCAA games and was scoreless in its past four contests.
The 17 goals scored in two games over the weekend will help boost the morale into next weekend when ASU has to play an uncharacteristic three games in three days.
After trailing initially in yesterday’s game, the Sun Devils made sure that they did not face a deficit in this game, scoring two quick goals off of the sticks of Masters and Michael Cummings. ASU extended the lead to four by the end of the period on goals from Sean Murphy and Masters and put itself in total control of the game.
“The key was to get off to a fast start tonight,” Powers said. “Get the first goal and make sure they felt like they couldn’t get back in the game. We are going to use this weekend to hopefully build some confidence for a really tough weekend ahead of us.”
Much like the previous game, there was a lack of physicality until the game became out of reach. It was then that frustration mounted for the Bobcats and the two teams became increasingly chippy. Ohio had entered the series with 490 penalty minutes on the season, and their willingness to commit penalties showed in these two games.
As OU became more physical, the scoring started to slow down. ASU could not follow up its strong first period with a better second period, instead managing just one goal, the third of the game from Masters.
Much like Robert Levin yesterday, Ryland Pashovitz had a quiet night in net, saving just 14 shots. The offensive prowess form ASU took the pressure off of him right from the start.
“He was fine,” Powers said. “Much like Rob (Levin) yesterday, these were tough games, but it is good for both of them to feel a win. They have been our backbone all season long. It will give them some confidence heading into the weekend.”
The third period was very similar to the second in that ASU added just one more goal onto their comfortable lead. The goal was from Liam Norris, who scored on a soft wrist shot past Bobcats goalie Aaron Alkema.
Overall, the Sun Devils played arguably their most impressive two game stretch of the season, excelling in all facets of the game. Most importantly, the Sun Devils limited the power play chances of the Bobcats. ASU committed just one penalty.
The travel grind will continue for ASU next weekend as they head back to the East coast for two games against No. 8 UMass-Lowell and one game against Merrimack College.
You can contact Jacob Janower via e-mail or on Twitter @JanowerJacob
