Freshman defenseman Joey Raats scored for the Sun Devils, converting on the power play. Despite only scoring one one of their four power plays, the unit looked strong all night. Freshmen forwards Joe Lappin and Jordan Masters were awarded the assists on Raats’ goal.
“That’s the glaring positive, is that our power play was really good tonight,” head coach Greg Powers said. “We got one, that should get the guys’ confidence up for tomorrow, and when we get an opportunity, we have to bury it.”
Both teams traded early chances, with Arizona State’s best getting a prime opportunity just a few minutes into the game. Freshman goaltender stretched his right skate the length of the crease and made a toe save before the Sun Devils took the puck the other way. Junior forward Ryan Ostertag parked to the goaltender’s right behind the red line but his shot deflected off the pipe.
After that, RPI benefited from two goals just 15 seconds apart, giving them a 2-0 lead.
ASU had another chance later in the frame when RPI took two penalties and were short-handed by two men. On the 5-on-3 power play, Connor Schmidt unleashed a rocket from the left point that clanged off the far post. Once RPI returned a skater, an ASU penalty negated the rest of the power play. That brought to an end an eventful first period.
“That team is old and strong,” Powers said. “That was probab;y the hardest working team we played.”
RPI potted another in the second and two more in the third. Raats' goal also came in the third. With an assist on that goal, Masters extended his point streak to nine games. He has recorded five goals and eight assists for 13 points in that span.
Pashovitz finished the game with 40 saves.
The Sun Devils and Engineers go back it Saturday night at 5:00 p.m. MT at Houston Field House in Troy, N.Y.