TEMPE, Ariz. – The four Sun Devil seniors rode off into the sunset after the clock hit zero at Oceanside Ice Arena, as the men's hockey team swept Simon Fraser in the exhibition series behind a 4-2 win on Saturday night.
Senior goaltender Robert Levin earned the exhibition victory, while senior forward Robbie Baillargeon earned the game's second star with two assists.
"The goal was to send our seniors out on top, and we accomplished that tonight," said head coach Greg Powers. "All four of them have played some role or held some part in what this program has become, and I'm glad we got to see them go out on top here at home."
Fellow seniors Ryan Belonger and Drew Newmeyer both started for the Devils, and finished the night with a plus one on the ice.
All four were honored during a pregame ceremony, and were presented with a black Sun Devil jersey.
After puck drop, Simon Fraser picked up right where they left off on the physicality scale, which ultimately paid off.
The Devils took two early penalties, and SFU capitalized with a power-play goal from Jaret Babych halfway through the 1st period for the first and only lead they would have in the series.
Less than four minutes later, sophomore forward and leading goal scorer Anthony Croston helped tie it up with a shot through traffic.
Before the first frame came to an end, freshman defenseman Jakob Stridsberg buried a quick shot on a beautiful tic-tac-toe play from fellow freshman Riley Simpson and Baillargeon. The Devils entered the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.
The second period was completely dominated by ASU, as they outshot Simon Fraser 18-1 and tacked on another two goals.
Both came on the man advantage, and redshirt junior Wade Murphy wristed the first one passed SFU goaltender Jordan Liem during a 5-on-3 power play. Last night's hero Brinson Pasichnuk and Baillargeon earned assists on the goal.
Seven minutes later, freshman Brett Gruber one-timed a pass from fellow rookie Steenn Pasichnuk passed Liem for the fourth and final ASU goal.
The Devils peppered Liem with a total of 43 shots on the night, while Levin made nine saves on 11 shots in his final game in Tempe.
ASU will enjoy the first week off they've had since Christmas break before traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich. for a two-game exhibition series versus the USA-U18 National Team on Feb. 24-25 to end the season.
Senior goaltender Robert Levin earned the exhibition victory, while senior forward Robbie Baillargeon earned the game's second star with two assists.
"The goal was to send our seniors out on top, and we accomplished that tonight," said head coach Greg Powers. "All four of them have played some role or held some part in what this program has become, and I'm glad we got to see them go out on top here at home."
Fellow seniors Ryan Belonger and Drew Newmeyer both started for the Devils, and finished the night with a plus one on the ice.
All four were honored during a pregame ceremony, and were presented with a black Sun Devil jersey.
After puck drop, Simon Fraser picked up right where they left off on the physicality scale, which ultimately paid off.
The Devils took two early penalties, and SFU capitalized with a power-play goal from Jaret Babych halfway through the 1st period for the first and only lead they would have in the series.
Less than four minutes later, sophomore forward and leading goal scorer Anthony Croston helped tie it up with a shot through traffic.
Before the first frame came to an end, freshman defenseman Jakob Stridsberg buried a quick shot on a beautiful tic-tac-toe play from fellow freshman Riley Simpson and Baillargeon. The Devils entered the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.
The second period was completely dominated by ASU, as they outshot Simon Fraser 18-1 and tacked on another two goals.
Both came on the man advantage, and redshirt junior Wade Murphy wristed the first one passed SFU goaltender Jordan Liem during a 5-on-3 power play. Last night's hero Brinson Pasichnuk and Baillargeon earned assists on the goal.
Seven minutes later, freshman Brett Gruber one-timed a pass from fellow rookie Steenn Pasichnuk passed Liem for the fourth and final ASU goal.
The Devils peppered Liem with a total of 43 shots on the night, while Levin made nine saves on 11 shots in his final game in Tempe.
ASU will enjoy the first week off they've had since Christmas break before traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich. for a two-game exhibition series versus the USA-U18 National Team on Feb. 24-25 to end the season.