HOUGHTON, Mich. – As it's said, it is hard to beat a team three-straight times. Despite rallying from a two-goal deficit in the matter of four minutes behind a three-point performance from freshman Johnny Walker, the Sun Devil men's hockey team didn't have fortune on their side in a 5-3 loss to Michigan Tech at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Saturday night.
It was a back-and-forth momentum shift throughout the game, but penalties, a costly turnover and a bad bounce proved to be all the difference in the series finale.
"It was a hard-fought game that Michigan Tech ultimately deserved to win," said head coach Greg Powers. "We had a great season series with them and look forward to continuing to play them down the road."
ASU (8-19-5) started with all the momentum after sophomore defenseman and point leader Brinson Pasichnuk gave the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead late in the first period. Walker earned his first point with an assist on the goal.
However, it was all Michigan Tech (16-14-5) in the second period, as the Huskies rattled off three-straight goals – two on the power-play -- for a 3-1 lead.
With just nine seconds remaining in the middle frame, and the Devils on a power-play of their own, Walker netted the first of his two goals on the night. Junior Anthony Croston sent a stretch pass to Walker at the far blue line, who skated in, faked out a sliding defenseman and wristed one past Husky goaltender Devin Kero.
Just over three minutes into the third period, Walker was at it again. Sophomore forward Brett Gruber fed Walker in the slot from behind the net, and again beat Kero with a wrister to tie the game at three.
The lead would only hold up for a few minutes, as a turnover in front of sophomore goaltender Joey Daccord led to a goal and proved to be the eventual game-winner.
Fourteen seconds later, it proved luck wasn't on ASU's side. MTU's Dane Birks dumped a pass along the glass that ricocheted off a bad corner and right into the empty net as Daccord went back to play the puck.
Overall, the night ended with 24 penalties being assessed and Michigan Tech being on the better end with eight total power plays. Two would all it would take to be the difference for the Huskies.
Twelve of the first 40 minutes of the game were served on the kill by the Devils, and a minute and 45 seconds of the second period they were two players down.
Tonight's game was also redshirt senior David Norris' 100th career NCAA game, in which he recorded two primary assists.
The Sun Devils head home before turning around in six days to take on the University of Michigan on Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24.
It was a back-and-forth momentum shift throughout the game, but penalties, a costly turnover and a bad bounce proved to be all the difference in the series finale.
"It was a hard-fought game that Michigan Tech ultimately deserved to win," said head coach Greg Powers. "We had a great season series with them and look forward to continuing to play them down the road."
ASU (8-19-5) started with all the momentum after sophomore defenseman and point leader Brinson Pasichnuk gave the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead late in the first period. Walker earned his first point with an assist on the goal.
However, it was all Michigan Tech (16-14-5) in the second period, as the Huskies rattled off three-straight goals – two on the power-play -- for a 3-1 lead.
With just nine seconds remaining in the middle frame, and the Devils on a power-play of their own, Walker netted the first of his two goals on the night. Junior Anthony Croston sent a stretch pass to Walker at the far blue line, who skated in, faked out a sliding defenseman and wristed one past Husky goaltender Devin Kero.
Just over three minutes into the third period, Walker was at it again. Sophomore forward Brett Gruber fed Walker in the slot from behind the net, and again beat Kero with a wrister to tie the game at three.
The lead would only hold up for a few minutes, as a turnover in front of sophomore goaltender Joey Daccord led to a goal and proved to be the eventual game-winner.
Fourteen seconds later, it proved luck wasn't on ASU's side. MTU's Dane Birks dumped a pass along the glass that ricocheted off a bad corner and right into the empty net as Daccord went back to play the puck.
Overall, the night ended with 24 penalties being assessed and Michigan Tech being on the better end with eight total power plays. Two would all it would take to be the difference for the Huskies.
Twelve of the first 40 minutes of the game were served on the kill by the Devils, and a minute and 45 seconds of the second period they were two players down.
Tonight's game was also redshirt senior David Norris' 100th career NCAA game, in which he recorded two primary assists.
The Sun Devils head home before turning around in six days to take on the University of Michigan on Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24.