TEMPE, Ariz. – The Sun Devil men's hockey team was unable to come away with their first NCAA home sweep on Saturday night, as a late goal in the third was the difference in Colgate's 3-2 victory at Oceanside Ice Arena.
After an 11-10 shots on goal difference through the first period, the Devils (4-13-0) were outshot 16-5 by the Raiders (4-9-4) in the final 40 minutes.
"I don't think our guys were ready," said head coach Greg Powers. "Two weekends in a row at home they were tied going into the third and needed to win a period to get a sweep, and we didn't find a way. I don't think we deserved to win tonight, they outworked us from start to finish."
After capitalizing on special teams in game one – with one shorthanded and two power-play goals – Colgate answered the bell on Saturday with two power-play tallies of their own. The Raiders were a combined two-for-five while the Devils failed to capitalize on three opportunities.
"The last 8 games we've averaged just over seven penalty minutes against a game," said Powers. "So we spoke about discipline, we spoke about good team discipline hockey and that's what really turned the corner for us. Tonight, from the get-go we just didn't play disciplined hockey. Just dumb penalties, offensive zone penalties, penalties behind linesmen, off face-offs, things that just didn't need to happen. It just goes to show you how important special teams are, they popped two power play goals, we don't take advantage of any and we lose. It was a winnable game if we play the right way, I think our guys got away from what works best."
Like Friday, ASU got off on the right foot, as redshirt junior Wade Murphy worked hard in front to tap one in passed Colgate freshman goaltender Colton Point for the 1-0 lead halfway into the first.
With just over a minute to play in the first, Raider Brett Corkey put their first shot of 11 in the period passed sophomore Ryland Pashovitz.
Pashovitz finished the night with 24 saves on 27 shots.
After a goal from ASU sophomore Anthony Croston – his first of the season – and Colgate's Tim Harrison on the power play, the Devils would again find themselves entering the final 20 minutes of a game in search of a home sweep.
A week ago, ASU entered the third period against RPI in a 0-0 tie searching for the series sweep. Like last week, the Devils would have several scoring opportunities, but would have one detrimental hiccup.
With just under 10 minutes to play, Colgate's Derek Freeman tallied his fifth of the season for the power-play and game-winning goal.
The Devils would have their chances down the stretch to tie it, including two quality looks with an empty net, but Point shut the door to end Colgate's four-game skid.
For the third time this season, ASU will hit the road for Massachusetts after a week off to take on American International on Tuesday, Dec. 13 followed by a two-game series with UMass on Dec. 16-17.
The Sun Devils will return to Arizona to host the 2nd Annual Desert Hockey Classic on Dec. 30-31 at the Prescott Valley Events Center. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com.
After an 11-10 shots on goal difference through the first period, the Devils (4-13-0) were outshot 16-5 by the Raiders (4-9-4) in the final 40 minutes.
"I don't think our guys were ready," said head coach Greg Powers. "Two weekends in a row at home they were tied going into the third and needed to win a period to get a sweep, and we didn't find a way. I don't think we deserved to win tonight, they outworked us from start to finish."
After capitalizing on special teams in game one – with one shorthanded and two power-play goals – Colgate answered the bell on Saturday with two power-play tallies of their own. The Raiders were a combined two-for-five while the Devils failed to capitalize on three opportunities.
"The last 8 games we've averaged just over seven penalty minutes against a game," said Powers. "So we spoke about discipline, we spoke about good team discipline hockey and that's what really turned the corner for us. Tonight, from the get-go we just didn't play disciplined hockey. Just dumb penalties, offensive zone penalties, penalties behind linesmen, off face-offs, things that just didn't need to happen. It just goes to show you how important special teams are, they popped two power play goals, we don't take advantage of any and we lose. It was a winnable game if we play the right way, I think our guys got away from what works best."
Like Friday, ASU got off on the right foot, as redshirt junior Wade Murphy worked hard in front to tap one in passed Colgate freshman goaltender Colton Point for the 1-0 lead halfway into the first.
With just over a minute to play in the first, Raider Brett Corkey put their first shot of 11 in the period passed sophomore Ryland Pashovitz.
Pashovitz finished the night with 24 saves on 27 shots.
After a goal from ASU sophomore Anthony Croston – his first of the season – and Colgate's Tim Harrison on the power play, the Devils would again find themselves entering the final 20 minutes of a game in search of a home sweep.
A week ago, ASU entered the third period against RPI in a 0-0 tie searching for the series sweep. Like last week, the Devils would have several scoring opportunities, but would have one detrimental hiccup.
With just under 10 minutes to play, Colgate's Derek Freeman tallied his fifth of the season for the power-play and game-winning goal.
The Devils would have their chances down the stretch to tie it, including two quality looks with an empty net, but Point shut the door to end Colgate's four-game skid.
For the third time this season, ASU will hit the road for Massachusetts after a week off to take on American International on Tuesday, Dec. 13 followed by a two-game series with UMass on Dec. 16-17.
The Sun Devils will return to Arizona to host the 2nd Annual Desert Hockey Classic on Dec. 30-31 at the Prescott Valley Events Center. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com.