SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sun Devil Hockey started off the final road trip of the 2016 calendar year on the right skate, as the Devils never trailed in route to a 3-2 victory over American International on Tuesday night at MassMutual Center.
In his return to Springfield, redshirt junior David Norris fittingly tallied the eventual game-winning goal against his former team with just under 14 minutes left in the third period.
"It felt pretty awesome," said Norris. "I couldn't help but have a pretty big smile on my face after that one. (Goaltender Alex) Murray is a pretty good friend of mine too, so it was nice that I was able to get it on him."
As expected, the game was won and lost on special teams with the Devils (5-13-0) finishing 1-for-2 on the power play while killing all four of the Yellow Jackets' (3-9-6) man advantages. ASU also held AIC to just one shot on their four opportunities.
Sophomore forward Jack Rowe got the Devils started – and the monkey off his back -- halfway through the first with his first goal of the season. Linemate and freshman Georgy Gorodetsky fired a shot from below the right circle, which ricocheted off the post and right to Rowe who elevated over the glove of junior AIC goaltender Alex Murray.
It wouldn't be until nearly halfway through the second period that another goal was tallied, but this time it was AIC finding a way through freshman netminder Joey Daccord. Sophomore defenseman Johnny Mueller snapped a wrister from the middle of the right circle that somehow found its way over Daccord's glove to tie it up at one.
The game would be decided in the final 20 minutes, as the second would end there.
Less than two minutes into the third frame, redshirt junior Wade Murphy – who had two goals and two assists in his last four games – put the Devils back on top, snapping one over junior AIC goaltender Alex Murray. The play evolved thanks to a phenomenal play and pass from sophomore defenseman Joey Raats, who made his return after not playing due to a minor injury suffered on Nov. 4 versus Michigan.
Following the power-play goal from Norris at 6:04 to extend ASU's lead to two, AIC point leader Blake Christensen brought the Yellow Jackets back within one just 28 seconds later.
With just under four minutes to play, a slashing call on Gorodetsky would give AIC their chance to tie it up. The Devils entered the final penalty kill a perfect 3-for-3, needing a final one to seal the victory.
Daccord made the one and only save he needed to while shorthanded, as the freshman picked up his second victory of the season with 20 saves.
The Devils will remain in Massachusetts, as they travel down the road for a two-game series against UMass-Amherst on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The games will be available to live stream for a fee, while the game can be listened to here. Live stats can also be accessed here.
In his return to Springfield, redshirt junior David Norris fittingly tallied the eventual game-winning goal against his former team with just under 14 minutes left in the third period.
"It felt pretty awesome," said Norris. "I couldn't help but have a pretty big smile on my face after that one. (Goaltender Alex) Murray is a pretty good friend of mine too, so it was nice that I was able to get it on him."
As expected, the game was won and lost on special teams with the Devils (5-13-0) finishing 1-for-2 on the power play while killing all four of the Yellow Jackets' (3-9-6) man advantages. ASU also held AIC to just one shot on their four opportunities.
Sophomore forward Jack Rowe got the Devils started – and the monkey off his back -- halfway through the first with his first goal of the season. Linemate and freshman Georgy Gorodetsky fired a shot from below the right circle, which ricocheted off the post and right to Rowe who elevated over the glove of junior AIC goaltender Alex Murray.
It wouldn't be until nearly halfway through the second period that another goal was tallied, but this time it was AIC finding a way through freshman netminder Joey Daccord. Sophomore defenseman Johnny Mueller snapped a wrister from the middle of the right circle that somehow found its way over Daccord's glove to tie it up at one.
The game would be decided in the final 20 minutes, as the second would end there.
Less than two minutes into the third frame, redshirt junior Wade Murphy – who had two goals and two assists in his last four games – put the Devils back on top, snapping one over junior AIC goaltender Alex Murray. The play evolved thanks to a phenomenal play and pass from sophomore defenseman Joey Raats, who made his return after not playing due to a minor injury suffered on Nov. 4 versus Michigan.
Following the power-play goal from Norris at 6:04 to extend ASU's lead to two, AIC point leader Blake Christensen brought the Yellow Jackets back within one just 28 seconds later.
With just under four minutes to play, a slashing call on Gorodetsky would give AIC their chance to tie it up. The Devils entered the final penalty kill a perfect 3-for-3, needing a final one to seal the victory.
Daccord made the one and only save he needed to while shorthanded, as the freshman picked up his second victory of the season with 20 saves.
The Devils will remain in Massachusetts, as they travel down the road for a two-game series against UMass-Amherst on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The games will be available to live stream for a fee, while the game can be listened to here. Live stats can also be accessed here.