WORCESTER, Mass. – In front of a sold-out crowd that was heavily painted with Maroon & Gold, the Sun Devil men's hockey team scored the final three goals of the game to hand Holy Cross their first loss at of the season at Hart Ice Center.
Sophomore goaltender Joey Daccord again stood tall between the pipes for ASU (3-8-2) for his fourth-straight game with 30-plus saves, while redshirt senior David Norris tallied a goal – the eventual game-winner -- and an assist.
"It's a good win against a really good team," said head coach Greg Powers. "They're an experienced, veteran team and undefeated at home. To come back from down 1-0 – we were a little bit sloppy – but we felt like we could control the game if we played the way we wanted. Our guys settled in and played an incredible third period. That's a great road win."
After a scoreless first period, the Crusaders (5-4-5, 4-1-5 AHC), who received votes in the most recent USCHO top-20 poll, drew first blood. Six minutes into the second period, a rebound in front went right to the tape of Holy Cross' Spencer Trapp for the tap in and 1-0 lead.
The Devils had their backs up against the wall just minutes later, as a five-minute major put the ASU penalty kill on the spot. They outlasted the swarm, killing their fourth of five penalties on the night for a perfect 5-for-5.
That shifted the momentum, and freshman forward Johnny Walker and his roommate, freshman defenseman Jacob Wilson, knotted the game up at one with 57 seconds left in the second period. Just like they worked on together after practice on Thursday, Wilson wristed a shot on net with Walker in front, who redirected the shot passed senior Crusader goalie Paul Berrafato. A secondary assist went to sophomore and new point leader Brett Gruber – his sixth of the season.
It was Walker's first goal since Oct. 7 in the season-opening series against UMass, but second point in as many games.
The Sun Devil swarm continued to start the third period, as redshirt senior David Norris got a redirect of his own off the shot of Wilson, again. It was his first goal since Dec. 16, 2016 against UMass.
That line of Norris, junior forward Joe Lappin and sophomore forward Tyler Busch created havoc for the Crusaders all night, firing a total of 10 shots on goal between the three. Their persistence paid dividends again just over a minute after Norris' goal, as Busch buried a one-timer from the slot for the 3-1 lead.
"All three of them were good," said Powers. "I think Lappin made it go. He was the straw that stirred the drink, he won every battle, and he was creating space for those two and letting them make plays. He's playing some really good hockey right now."
It was the first time this season ASU allowed the first goal and won the game. The win also ended a three-game skid.
Game two is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (EST) at Hart Ice Center and is live on Atlantic Hockey TV.
"It's going to take a better effort," said Powers. "That's a good team and they're going to come out flying tomorrow. We have to match their intensity and surpass it over the course of 60 minutes. We have to stay out of the box, and if we do, we can get another win."
Sophomore goaltender Joey Daccord again stood tall between the pipes for ASU (3-8-2) for his fourth-straight game with 30-plus saves, while redshirt senior David Norris tallied a goal – the eventual game-winner -- and an assist.
"It's a good win against a really good team," said head coach Greg Powers. "They're an experienced, veteran team and undefeated at home. To come back from down 1-0 – we were a little bit sloppy – but we felt like we could control the game if we played the way we wanted. Our guys settled in and played an incredible third period. That's a great road win."
After a scoreless first period, the Crusaders (5-4-5, 4-1-5 AHC), who received votes in the most recent USCHO top-20 poll, drew first blood. Six minutes into the second period, a rebound in front went right to the tape of Holy Cross' Spencer Trapp for the tap in and 1-0 lead.
The Devils had their backs up against the wall just minutes later, as a five-minute major put the ASU penalty kill on the spot. They outlasted the swarm, killing their fourth of five penalties on the night for a perfect 5-for-5.
That shifted the momentum, and freshman forward Johnny Walker and his roommate, freshman defenseman Jacob Wilson, knotted the game up at one with 57 seconds left in the second period. Just like they worked on together after practice on Thursday, Wilson wristed a shot on net with Walker in front, who redirected the shot passed senior Crusader goalie Paul Berrafato. A secondary assist went to sophomore and new point leader Brett Gruber – his sixth of the season.
It was Walker's first goal since Oct. 7 in the season-opening series against UMass, but second point in as many games.
The Sun Devil swarm continued to start the third period, as redshirt senior David Norris got a redirect of his own off the shot of Wilson, again. It was his first goal since Dec. 16, 2016 against UMass.
That line of Norris, junior forward Joe Lappin and sophomore forward Tyler Busch created havoc for the Crusaders all night, firing a total of 10 shots on goal between the three. Their persistence paid dividends again just over a minute after Norris' goal, as Busch buried a one-timer from the slot for the 3-1 lead.
"All three of them were good," said Powers. "I think Lappin made it go. He was the straw that stirred the drink, he won every battle, and he was creating space for those two and letting them make plays. He's playing some really good hockey right now."
It was the first time this season ASU allowed the first goal and won the game. The win also ended a three-game skid.
Game two is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (EST) at Hart Ice Center and is live on Atlantic Hockey TV.
"It's going to take a better effort," said Powers. "That's a good team and they're going to come out flying tomorrow. We have to match their intensity and surpass it over the course of 60 minutes. We have to stay out of the box, and if we do, we can get another win."