PITTSBURGH, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon at PPG Paints Arena, Sun Devil hockey bounced back with 98 shot attempts, 49 shots on goal – a program high against a Division I opponent – and 18 scoring chances, but ran into the buzzsaw of Lake Superior State goaltender Nick Kossoff in the consolation game of the Three Rivers Classic.
Despite the record-number of shots fired, Kossoff stymied 48 of the 49 shots in the Lakers' (5-13-4) 4-1 victory over the Sun Devils (4-12-4).
"We were the better team today. I don't think anyone that watched this game could deny that," said head coach Greg Powers. "Our guys effort was there and we bounced back from a really poor effort last night.
"That's why it is important for your goaltender to be your best player, and tonight, the best player on the ice was their goaltender … we put 49 shots on net, which is the most in program history. We had 18 good scoring chances. It's an effort we can build off of."
For several stretches of several minutes, the Sun Devils were suffocating Lake Superior in the offensive zone, fire several shots on net without losing possession. Scoring chance after scoring chance came and went, but ASU could not find a chink in the armor of Kossoff.
After firing a mere 17 shots on net the entire game against No. 11 Providence the day before, ASU managed 19 in the final period alone, as they fought to tie the game at two.
The Lakers struck first early just over a minute into the game, as a loose puck fell right on the stick of J.T. Henke for a quick wrister that beat junior goaltender Ryland Pashovitz, who was making his first start since Oct. 20 and first appearance since Dec. 16.
Just over two minutes later, the Devils struck back, as leading goal scorer Tyler Busch netted his seventh goal of the season on a rebound in the slot. During one of the several flurries in the Laker zone, Busch recovered the rebound and moved into the slot before threading the needle past the stick side of Kossoff.
Before the end of the first period, Lake Superior State would strike again for the eventual game-winner.
After a scoreless middle frame, in which the Devils outshot the Lakers 14-4, ASU again came out flying in an attempt to tie the game up. Unfortunately, Lake Superior caught the break, as a breakdown led to an open man crashing down the slot for the 3-1 lead.
ASU would get a 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 power-play opportunity, but couldn't find a way to beat Kossoff.
"It's how the game works," said Powers. "You hear me say it all the time. We don't have the high-end skill, but tonight we had high-end effort and compete. We had all kinds of chances, but just didn't have the finish. Part of that is their goaltender played so well.
"If we can play like we did tonight, we're going to win games down the home stretch. It's just about getting better every day, and tonight we got better."
The Sun Devils now head home before traveling to Las Vegas in three days for the inaugural Ice Vegas Invitational on Jan. 5-6 at T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights. ASU takes on Northern Michigan in game two on Friday, Jan. 5 at 8:30 p.m. (MT).
Despite the record-number of shots fired, Kossoff stymied 48 of the 49 shots in the Lakers' (5-13-4) 4-1 victory over the Sun Devils (4-12-4).
"We were the better team today. I don't think anyone that watched this game could deny that," said head coach Greg Powers. "Our guys effort was there and we bounced back from a really poor effort last night.
"That's why it is important for your goaltender to be your best player, and tonight, the best player on the ice was their goaltender … we put 49 shots on net, which is the most in program history. We had 18 good scoring chances. It's an effort we can build off of."
For several stretches of several minutes, the Sun Devils were suffocating Lake Superior in the offensive zone, fire several shots on net without losing possession. Scoring chance after scoring chance came and went, but ASU could not find a chink in the armor of Kossoff.
After firing a mere 17 shots on net the entire game against No. 11 Providence the day before, ASU managed 19 in the final period alone, as they fought to tie the game at two.
The Lakers struck first early just over a minute into the game, as a loose puck fell right on the stick of J.T. Henke for a quick wrister that beat junior goaltender Ryland Pashovitz, who was making his first start since Oct. 20 and first appearance since Dec. 16.
Just over two minutes later, the Devils struck back, as leading goal scorer Tyler Busch netted his seventh goal of the season on a rebound in the slot. During one of the several flurries in the Laker zone, Busch recovered the rebound and moved into the slot before threading the needle past the stick side of Kossoff.
Before the end of the first period, Lake Superior State would strike again for the eventual game-winner.
After a scoreless middle frame, in which the Devils outshot the Lakers 14-4, ASU again came out flying in an attempt to tie the game up. Unfortunately, Lake Superior caught the break, as a breakdown led to an open man crashing down the slot for the 3-1 lead.
ASU would get a 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 power-play opportunity, but couldn't find a way to beat Kossoff.
"It's how the game works," said Powers. "You hear me say it all the time. We don't have the high-end skill, but tonight we had high-end effort and compete. We had all kinds of chances, but just didn't have the finish. Part of that is their goaltender played so well.
"If we can play like we did tonight, we're going to win games down the home stretch. It's just about getting better every day, and tonight we got better."
The Sun Devils now head home before traveling to Las Vegas in three days for the inaugural Ice Vegas Invitational on Jan. 5-6 at T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights. ASU takes on Northern Michigan in game two on Friday, Jan. 5 at 8:30 p.m. (MT).