GLENDALE, Ariz. – In front of a crowd of 3,252, the Arizona State men's ice hockey team wrapped up their nine-game streak to start the season against a ranked opponent with a 4-1 loss to No. 17 Michigan at Gila River Arena.
The Sun Devils (1-8-0) again showed at moments they could play with one of the best teams in the country, with the score tied entering the 1st intermission thanks to sophomore forward Joe Lappin. Unfortunately, special teams and an unreviewable play on the eventual game-winning goal resulted in the Wolverines (4-3-1) outscoring the Devils 3-0 down the stretch.
"We had our chances and opportunities," said head coach Greg Powers. "I thought we played very well, as we have been this season. There is a silver lining to tonight -- at the end of the day we have to get over the hump. It is disappointing it didn't happen today, but we will figure it out."
Michigan took the lead halfway through the first period, as senior captain Nolan De Jong snapped a wrister through traffic for his first career goal.
Six minutes later, a picturesque poke check by freshman Georgy Gorodetsky at the blue line created a 2-on-1 rush for the Devils. That's when Lappin faked the pass and fired a wrist shot shortside past senior goaltender Zach Nagelvoort – his first goal of the season.
The first period would end there, but Michigan wouldn't finish there.
On a strange play, freshman Will Lockwood forced a turnover leading to a breakaway opportunity. He fired a shot that rung off what looked to be in the inside of the net, however, replay showed it rang off the crossbar and came out. The goal was immediately called as the referees went to replay. However, the goal would stand as they did not have video replay capabilities on the ice.
After a power play tally halfway through the second, Lockwood would strike again in the third period – this time shorthanded. It would be the Devils' fourth shorthanded goal allowed this season.
The match-up with Michigan was the last of the nine-game stretch against ranked opponents to start the season.
"I as well as every kid in that room expected to have more than one win through that stretch," said Powers. "All top 20 teams are very tough, but that is how we do it up. Every kid in there knew what they were getting themselves into. They came here because they wanted to meet that challenge so they could get better. I don't care what anybody says, that young team will be so much better a week from now, a month from now and at the end of the season because of the schedule that we are playing. I am proud of their efforts. We want more wins and they will come, but it is just minor details we need to focus on."
Powers and the Devils will hit the road for back-to-back weeks, as they take on New Hampshire on Saturday, Nov. 12 and No. 5 Boston College on Sunday, Nov. 13. They will then drive to Happy Valley, Penn. for a two-game series against No. 15 Penn State.
The Sun Devils (1-8-0) again showed at moments they could play with one of the best teams in the country, with the score tied entering the 1st intermission thanks to sophomore forward Joe Lappin. Unfortunately, special teams and an unreviewable play on the eventual game-winning goal resulted in the Wolverines (4-3-1) outscoring the Devils 3-0 down the stretch.
"We had our chances and opportunities," said head coach Greg Powers. "I thought we played very well, as we have been this season. There is a silver lining to tonight -- at the end of the day we have to get over the hump. It is disappointing it didn't happen today, but we will figure it out."
Michigan took the lead halfway through the first period, as senior captain Nolan De Jong snapped a wrister through traffic for his first career goal.
Six minutes later, a picturesque poke check by freshman Georgy Gorodetsky at the blue line created a 2-on-1 rush for the Devils. That's when Lappin faked the pass and fired a wrist shot shortside past senior goaltender Zach Nagelvoort – his first goal of the season.
The first period would end there, but Michigan wouldn't finish there.
On a strange play, freshman Will Lockwood forced a turnover leading to a breakaway opportunity. He fired a shot that rung off what looked to be in the inside of the net, however, replay showed it rang off the crossbar and came out. The goal was immediately called as the referees went to replay. However, the goal would stand as they did not have video replay capabilities on the ice.
After a power play tally halfway through the second, Lockwood would strike again in the third period – this time shorthanded. It would be the Devils' fourth shorthanded goal allowed this season.
The match-up with Michigan was the last of the nine-game stretch against ranked opponents to start the season.
"I as well as every kid in that room expected to have more than one win through that stretch," said Powers. "All top 20 teams are very tough, but that is how we do it up. Every kid in there knew what they were getting themselves into. They came here because they wanted to meet that challenge so they could get better. I don't care what anybody says, that young team will be so much better a week from now, a month from now and at the end of the season because of the schedule that we are playing. I am proud of their efforts. We want more wins and they will come, but it is just minor details we need to focus on."
Powers and the Devils will hit the road for back-to-back weeks, as they take on New Hampshire on Saturday, Nov. 12 and No. 5 Boston College on Sunday, Nov. 13. They will then drive to Happy Valley, Penn. for a two-game series against No. 15 Penn State.