ALLSTON, Ma. – A slow start and Harvard's second-ranked powerplay ruined Sun Devil Hockey's first game as a ranked team, as the Crimson won their first game at home, 4-1, on Friday night at Bright-Landry Center.
Despite the slow start, which saw ASU (9-4-0) outshot 14-2 in the first period, the Sun Devils flipped the script in the final two frames, firing 29 shots to Harvard's (2-2-2) 16 in the final frame. ASU ended up checking the box for shots on goal, 31-30, but couldn't get a bounce they needed or the stat that counted.
"We've typically been a great team in the first period and usually come out fast, but tonight Harvard outplayed us coming out of the gates," said head coach Greg Powers. "I was pleased with what I saw in the final two periods. We got back to our style of play but just couldn't get that one bounce we needed to shift momentum our way."
Statistics showed the series would boil down to special teams, as ASU's No. 1-ranked penalty kill would face its toughest test in Harvard's No. 2-ranked powerplay.
In game one, the advantage went to Harvard, whose two powerplay goals in the second period made all the difference.
After going down 2-0 early in the 2nd on the first powerplay goal by junior defenseman Adam Fox, sophomore forward Filips Buncis cut the deficit back to one with a tally on the man advantage of his own. The goal gave Buncis his third goal in as many games for a three-game goal streak.
The Sun Devils' powerplay goal was the only on six opportunities on the night – five of which came in the final half of the game. ASU fired seven shots on goal in those five chances.
ASU goes for the split Saturday night at 7 p.m. (EST) / 5 p.m. (MST) on ESPN+.
Despite the slow start, which saw ASU (9-4-0) outshot 14-2 in the first period, the Sun Devils flipped the script in the final two frames, firing 29 shots to Harvard's (2-2-2) 16 in the final frame. ASU ended up checking the box for shots on goal, 31-30, but couldn't get a bounce they needed or the stat that counted.
"We've typically been a great team in the first period and usually come out fast, but tonight Harvard outplayed us coming out of the gates," said head coach Greg Powers. "I was pleased with what I saw in the final two periods. We got back to our style of play but just couldn't get that one bounce we needed to shift momentum our way."
Statistics showed the series would boil down to special teams, as ASU's No. 1-ranked penalty kill would face its toughest test in Harvard's No. 2-ranked powerplay.
In game one, the advantage went to Harvard, whose two powerplay goals in the second period made all the difference.
After going down 2-0 early in the 2nd on the first powerplay goal by junior defenseman Adam Fox, sophomore forward Filips Buncis cut the deficit back to one with a tally on the man advantage of his own. The goal gave Buncis his third goal in as many games for a three-game goal streak.
The Sun Devils' powerplay goal was the only on six opportunities on the night – five of which came in the final half of the game. ASU fired seven shots on goal in those five chances.
ASU goes for the split Saturday night at 7 p.m. (EST) / 5 p.m. (MST) on ESPN+.