PLYMOUTH, Mich. – In game one of the exhibition series with the U.S. National U-18 Development team, the puck didn't bounce the Sun Devils' way, as the men's hockey team couldn't come back from a 5-3 deficit at U.S. Hockey Arena.
While ASU freshman Tyler Busch led the Devils with a two-goal night, Team USA captain Brady Tkachuk – son of former Arizona Coyote Keith Tkachuk – buried two of his own.
"They are a really skilled team," said head coach Greg Powers. "They scored on pretty much all their chances, and their goalie made some big saves. They were more opportunistic than us tonight. I think we were a little slow in playing to what we've established as our identity, but we came out in the third, got our legs under us, and played Sun Devil hockey. Hopefully we can come out tomorrow and play all three periods that way."
Just under four minutes into the 1st period, Team USA struck first, as Tkachuk snapped a shot off from between the circles for the early 1-0 lead.
ASU created several chances throughout the first frame, but as Powers said, the Devils couldn't capitalize on opportunities.
Late in the first, they finally did as Busch buried a rebound off USA goalie Adam Scheel. Senior forward Robbie Baillargeon tossed up a soft shot on Scheel, almost looking planned as Busch crashed the net.
Within the first two minutes of the second period, the Devils fell into a two-goal deficit as Tkachuk and USA leading scorer Josh Norris capitalized on two stretch passes. Tkachuk was hit for a breakaway, while Norris found open space behind the defense for a 1-on-1 chance on freshman netminder Joey Daccord.
After Joey Cassetti put USA up 4-1, redshirt sophomore Louie Rowe brought his team back within two thanks to a heads-up pass from captain Dylan Hollman from the corner. Rowe fired a quick shot from just inside the right circle through traffic passed Scheel.
Several odd-man rushes and 1-on-1 chances for the Devils couldn't find the back of the net, as the team continued to claw to get back within one.
While the dagger from Joel Farabee at 1:46 of the 3rd period put ASU in a 5-2 hole, the final 20 minutes was arguably the best of the three for the Sun Devils.
During that span, Busch netted his second of the game thanks to a beauty of a pass from freshman defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk. From the top of the left side, Pasichnuk sent a laser backdoor to Busch for the tap in.
ASU's chances continued to develop, but Scheel hung tight for the victory.
Game two is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST at the U.S. Hockey Arena and can be watched on HockeyTV.com.
While ASU freshman Tyler Busch led the Devils with a two-goal night, Team USA captain Brady Tkachuk – son of former Arizona Coyote Keith Tkachuk – buried two of his own.
"They are a really skilled team," said head coach Greg Powers. "They scored on pretty much all their chances, and their goalie made some big saves. They were more opportunistic than us tonight. I think we were a little slow in playing to what we've established as our identity, but we came out in the third, got our legs under us, and played Sun Devil hockey. Hopefully we can come out tomorrow and play all three periods that way."
Just under four minutes into the 1st period, Team USA struck first, as Tkachuk snapped a shot off from between the circles for the early 1-0 lead.
ASU created several chances throughout the first frame, but as Powers said, the Devils couldn't capitalize on opportunities.
Late in the first, they finally did as Busch buried a rebound off USA goalie Adam Scheel. Senior forward Robbie Baillargeon tossed up a soft shot on Scheel, almost looking planned as Busch crashed the net.
Within the first two minutes of the second period, the Devils fell into a two-goal deficit as Tkachuk and USA leading scorer Josh Norris capitalized on two stretch passes. Tkachuk was hit for a breakaway, while Norris found open space behind the defense for a 1-on-1 chance on freshman netminder Joey Daccord.
After Joey Cassetti put USA up 4-1, redshirt sophomore Louie Rowe brought his team back within two thanks to a heads-up pass from captain Dylan Hollman from the corner. Rowe fired a quick shot from just inside the right circle through traffic passed Scheel.
ASU's @LouieRowe17 helps cut the deficit to 4-2 with this shot thru traffic! #ASUvsUSA pic.twitter.com/JrKma9Mw38
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) February 25, 2017
Several odd-man rushes and 1-on-1 chances for the Devils couldn't find the back of the net, as the team continued to claw to get back within one.
While the dagger from Joel Farabee at 1:46 of the 3rd period put ASU in a 5-2 hole, the final 20 minutes was arguably the best of the three for the Sun Devils.
During that span, Busch netted his second of the game thanks to a beauty of a pass from freshman defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk. From the top of the left side, Pasichnuk sent a laser backdoor to Busch for the tap in.
ASU's chances continued to develop, but Scheel hung tight for the victory.
Game two is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST at the U.S. Hockey Arena and can be watched on HockeyTV.com.