TEMPE, Ariz. -- After a record-setting win over Southern New Hampshire the night before, the Sun Devil hockey team treated the home crowd to another victory as they defeated the Penmen, 4-1, on Saturday night at Oceanside Arena.
In his second-straight start, senior goaltender Robert Levin stayed calm and poised to limit SNHU to just one goal on the weekend, an accomplishment head coach Greg Powers recognized.
"Rob was steady and did what he had to do," Powers said. "He is that calm presence and that's what a senior should do."
ASU created countless chances in the first period, taking 16 shots on three different SNHU goalies. The Penmen's carousel-like game plan between the pipes succeeded, as they allowed just one goal in the first frame. A slapshot from redshirt sophomore Dylan Hollman, who corralled a pass from sophomore Nick Gushue -- playing in his first game after sitting out the last seven -- and laced it into the net from just outside the crease.
"[Gushue] was a little bit rusty but that was to be expected," Powers said. "He's been out for six games, seven if you include last night, so it's good to have him back because he gives us depth and made a great play on our first goal."
Not a minute later, SNHU struck back with an equalizer, leaving the match knotted at one heading into the second period.
The Devils continued to thrive in close range, with sophomore Jack Rowe scoring early on in the second period, tapping a pass from sophomore Liam McGing into the net again from just outside the crease. Rowe's second goal of the season provided the much needed momentum to pull away, serving as the eventual game-winner. ASU did, however, tacke on one more goal in the second, as sophomore Jakob Stridsberg muscled the puck in from the middle of the left circle.
With just a few minutes left in the final period, the Penmen took a chance and sacrificed a goalie for an extra defenseman. However, the plan backfired when sophomore Anthony Croston laced a loose puck between the pipes for an easy empty net goal, the nail in the coffin to bring the score to the final, 4-1.
The Devils will travel to Hamden, Conn. for two as they take on No. 17 Quinnipiac on January 27 and 28. Both puck drops are scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.
In his second-straight start, senior goaltender Robert Levin stayed calm and poised to limit SNHU to just one goal on the weekend, an accomplishment head coach Greg Powers recognized.
"Rob was steady and did what he had to do," Powers said. "He is that calm presence and that's what a senior should do."
ASU created countless chances in the first period, taking 16 shots on three different SNHU goalies. The Penmen's carousel-like game plan between the pipes succeeded, as they allowed just one goal in the first frame. A slapshot from redshirt sophomore Dylan Hollman, who corralled a pass from sophomore Nick Gushue -- playing in his first game after sitting out the last seven -- and laced it into the net from just outside the crease.
"[Gushue] was a little bit rusty but that was to be expected," Powers said. "He's been out for six games, seven if you include last night, so it's good to have him back because he gives us depth and made a great play on our first goal."
Not a minute later, SNHU struck back with an equalizer, leaving the match knotted at one heading into the second period.
The Devils continued to thrive in close range, with sophomore Jack Rowe scoring early on in the second period, tapping a pass from sophomore Liam McGing into the net again from just outside the crease. Rowe's second goal of the season provided the much needed momentum to pull away, serving as the eventual game-winner. ASU did, however, tacke on one more goal in the second, as sophomore Jakob Stridsberg muscled the puck in from the middle of the left circle.
With just a few minutes left in the final period, the Penmen took a chance and sacrificed a goalie for an extra defenseman. However, the plan backfired when sophomore Anthony Croston laced a loose puck between the pipes for an easy empty net goal, the nail in the coffin to bring the score to the final, 4-1.
The Devils will travel to Hamden, Conn. for two as they take on No. 17 Quinnipiac on January 27 and 28. Both puck drops are scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.