COLUMBUS, Ohio – The first 10 minutes of Friday night's match-up with No. 10 Ohio State dug too big of a hole for Sun Devil hockey to climb out of in game one at Value City Arena.
The Buckeyes (11-4-4) netted four through the first of half of the opening period, including two of their three power-play tallies on the night. OSU would carry that 4-0 lead into the 2nd period.
"From the net all the way out we had nobody playing in the first 10 minutes," said head coach Greg Powers. "When you do that against a really good team like Ohio State they're going to make you pay, and they did. The last 40 minutes, that's how we want to play Sun Devil hockey. We outshot them, we outchanced them, we outhit them, we outskated them. I know our guys are a young team, but they have to turn the corner and realize that 40-minute efforts aren't going to win any games. We got to have 60."
The Devils (7-17-1) came out in the second and netted their first of the game behind a power-play goal from freshman point-man Brinson Pasichnuk to make it 4-1. Freshman Tyler Busch and graduate senior Robbie Baillargeon earned assists on the goal.
OSU's Nick Schilkey, however, got one back before the period ended for his second of the game.
Despite being outscored 2-1 in the final two periods, the Devils had several scoring opportunities that didn't find the back of the net. Senior Christian Frey continued his hot streak, making 35 saves on 36 shots.
ASU outshot the Buckeyes 29 to 17 in the final 40 minutes, which included 17 – the most of any in a period all season -- in the second.
Their 36 shots on goal was also a season-best by the Devils, one-upping their total of 35 against RPI on Nov. 25.
Only two players didn't record a shot on goal, with one of them earning an assist in the game.
"A lot of good to take away from how we finished the game," said Powers. "Our guys started playing hard and playing with pride, but you have to do that for 60 minutes at this level."
Game two on Saturday is a matinee showdown on national television, as the two teams rematch on ESPNU at 2 p.m. EST/12 p.m. MST.
The game can also be viewed on the WatchESPN app on your smartphone or tablet.
The Buckeyes (11-4-4) netted four through the first of half of the opening period, including two of their three power-play tallies on the night. OSU would carry that 4-0 lead into the 2nd period.
"From the net all the way out we had nobody playing in the first 10 minutes," said head coach Greg Powers. "When you do that against a really good team like Ohio State they're going to make you pay, and they did. The last 40 minutes, that's how we want to play Sun Devil hockey. We outshot them, we outchanced them, we outhit them, we outskated them. I know our guys are a young team, but they have to turn the corner and realize that 40-minute efforts aren't going to win any games. We got to have 60."
The Devils (7-17-1) came out in the second and netted their first of the game behind a power-play goal from freshman point-man Brinson Pasichnuk to make it 4-1. Freshman Tyler Busch and graduate senior Robbie Baillargeon earned assists on the goal.
OSU's Nick Schilkey, however, got one back before the period ended for his second of the game.
Despite being outscored 2-1 in the final two periods, the Devils had several scoring opportunities that didn't find the back of the net. Senior Christian Frey continued his hot streak, making 35 saves on 36 shots.
ASU outshot the Buckeyes 29 to 17 in the final 40 minutes, which included 17 – the most of any in a period all season -- in the second.
Their 36 shots on goal was also a season-best by the Devils, one-upping their total of 35 against RPI on Nov. 25.
Only two players didn't record a shot on goal, with one of them earning an assist in the game.
"A lot of good to take away from how we finished the game," said Powers. "Our guys started playing hard and playing with pride, but you have to do that for 60 minutes at this level."
Game two on Saturday is a matinee showdown on national television, as the two teams rematch on ESPNU at 2 p.m. EST/12 p.m. MST.
The game can also be viewed on the WatchESPN app on your smartphone or tablet.