Article updated to reflect postgame scoring change:
OMAHA, Neb.– Sun Devil Hockey stood toe-to-toe with with one of the best college hockey had to offer and did not back down. Three power play goals by the No. 6 Nebraska Omaha Mavericks, who are 12th in the nation in scoring, were enough in a 3-1 victory.
“It was a good effort against obviously a very, very good team,” head coach Greg Powers said. “I think the glaring positive is five-on-five: We outscored them.”
Jordan Masters tallied a goal for the Sun Devils, his team-high sixth of the season. He has registered at least one goal in each of his last 11 games. With a helper on the Masters goal, Drew Newmeyer recorded his first career point. Cody Gylling also had an assist.
Omaha got off to a lead, but Masters allowed that lead to stick for only 58 seconds before he took the puck across the goal crease and back-handed the equalizer. With just 1:55 left on the clock in the first, Omaha sent a puck at the net from between the circles that fluttered into the net for their second goal.
The second period was when the Sun Devils were at their strongest. They notched 11 shots on goal in the frame and did not allow an Omaha shot in the first eight minutes.
“I think that second period was the best we played all year,” Powers said.
The strong play continued until a costly penalty led to Omaha’s third goal near the midway point of the period. Until that third goal, ASU appeared to be right on the edge of mounting a comeback.
Freshman goaltender Ryland Pashovitz stood tall between the pipes, making 41 saves on the night.
ASU and Omaha return to the ice for Game 2 of the series Sunday at 1:07 p.m. MT.