Freshman defenseman Jarrod Gourley and redshirt freshman Austin Lemieux netted their first collegiate goals, while the penalty kill shut down eight Alabama-Huntsville power plays for ASU's first road sweep since December 2016.
.@TheSunDevils Win! First road sweep since December of 2016! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/of4vPBfGnX
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 21, 2018
"We wanted to have a first big period and we did," said head coach Greg Powers. "We still have to find a way to stay out of the box, but overall a great effort, two big road wins and now we get back to work before our upcoming homestand."
A back-and-forth first period appeared to be heading into the first intermission scoreless, but a late power play drastically shifted the momentum.
??GOAL! ??@Buschleagueten fed with a filthy sauce from @jwalks96 backdoor for the 1-0 lead on the PP tally with 1:32 left in 1st! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/VUc4yTbBxm
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 21, 2018
Fellow linemate Brett Gruber earned the assist, giving him, Busch and Walker all three points for the series at the time dating back to Friday night.
The lid blew off from there, as senior Jake Clifford scored his first goal of the season just 37 seconds later with Jacob Wilson and Dominic Garcia earning their first assists.
??GOAL! ??@cliff_show with the tip for his first goal of the season & the 2-0 lead with 55 seconds left in the 1st! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/q1pl7p4DZT
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 21, 2018
Just when the Chargers (0-6-0) thought it was over, the Sun Devils struck again.
??GOAL! ??@Lemieux_96 with his first collegiate goal as he buries the loose puck with 13.7 seconds left in the 1st! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/Orte1nFMz1
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 21, 2018
Sophomore defenseman Gvido Jansons picked up his first collegiate assist and freshman Jordan Sandhu recorded his third apple on the season.
The second intermission again went back-and-forth with 12 penalties between the two teams. ASU killed four Charger man advantages in the period.
In one of the brief periods of 5-on-5 hockey during the middle frame, another Sun Devil recorded a first.
??GOAL! ??@dylanhollman with his first of the season off a nice behind the back dish from @anthony_croston from behind the net! 4-0 Devils with just over 7 minutes left in 2nd! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/yLB2XLOMYo
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 21, 2018
Fellow senior Anthony Croston got the assist with a beautiful backhanded pass as he went behind the net. It was a good night for the Latvian Sun Devils as forward Filips Buncis also picked up his first collegiate assist on the goal.
Before it was all said and done, Huntsville and ASU exchanged goals in the third period with Gourley netting his first NCAA goal on a blast from the left circle.
Pitchfork went to @jarrodgourley with his first collegiate goal! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/WveEkQgFXo
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 21, 2018
Clifford picked up his first of the season and second point of the night, while Steenn Pasichnuk captured his first assist of the year as well.
Gave 'em hell! ?? pic.twitter.com/4kMsNXr4q6
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 21, 2018
The Sun Devils return home this week for a two-game series with Nebraska-Omaha (0-3-1) at Oceanside Ice Arena. Limited general admission tickets still remain at thesundevils.com here.
Sun Devil fans, chat with @asucoachpowers at @CollegeBarTempe this Tuesday at 5:30pm for Hell Frozen Over! pic.twitter.com/lSykfAtVFP
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 21, 2018