The Sun Devils traded blows with RPI early and made it interesting late, but could not secure a victory Saturday night and fell 4-1 to the Engineers. They dropped both games in the series.
"I was happy with how we played in the first and third periods," head coach Greg Powers said. "I was proud of the guys, they didn't quit."
Cody Gylling scored for the Sun Devils, his third of the season. Joe Lappin and Jordan Masters had assists, their fifth and 11th of the season, respectively. Masters has at least a point in 10 straight games.
RPI scored five minutes into the game but ASU stood strong after that. The Sun Devils and Engineers exited the first period with a one-goal and one-shot deficit, 1-0 and 10-9, respectively.
The second period was hit or miss for ASU. On the positive note, the Sun Devils killed a five-minute penalty after a checking from behind major and went on the power play late in the frame. On the negative note, they allowed a goal at the 7:03 mark and another at the 19:09 mark, the latter of which being short-handed. An empty-netter with 21.9 seconds left iced the game for the Engineers.
Robert Levin finished the night with 29 saves in net for the Sun Devils.
ASU heads back home for a week of practice before a two-game set at 2015 Frozen Four qualifier Nebraska Omaha next weekend. It will be the second time this season ASU will face a ranked team.
The Sun Devils’ next home game is Jan. 5 against UCONN at Oceanside Ice Arena. The inaugural Desert Hockey Classic will be played that weekend, Jan. 8-10 at Gila River Arena in Glendale, featuring ASU, UCONN, Yale and Michigan Tech.