MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – While the regular season did not finish on a high note for Sun Devil Hockey, the No. 12 Sun Devils wrapped up their historic 2018-19 campaign on Saturday night at 3M Arena at Mariucci against Minnesota.
After an early 4-0 deficit in the first 21 minutes of the game, ASU (21-12-1) shifted the momentum the rest of the second period behind a shorthanded goal from sophomore Dominic Garcia and another at full strength from junior Brett Gruber.
"While I didn't like the hole we put ourselves in early in the game, I was proud of the way the boys came back and battled," said head coach Greg Powers. "Obviously not the way we wanted to end our regular season, but it doesn't represent the historic season we've had as a program. I'm proud of this team, I love this team and now we prepare for bigger and better things."
Senior forward Dylan Hollman and junior forward Brett Gruber suited up in their 100th collegiate game as well, and the latter made it a two-goal game in the second period.
Another penalty-filled affair ensued with the calls going against the Sun Devils by a margin of five to one on the night. One of those came on a 5-minute major penalty and game disqualification against sophomore defenseman Jacob Wilson. He will serve a one-game suspension for the game disqualification.
Despite being shorthanded for five minutes, ASU managed to make the most of it with a shorthanded goal from Garcia over four minutes into the penalty kill.
The Sun Devils nearly managed to make it two shorthanded goals, but would end up scoring a goal eight minutes later to cut the Gopher lead to 4-2.
The boys continued to develop scoring chances in the middle frame and throughout the third period while junior netminder Joey Daccord made several key saves throughout the night to keep ASU in it. He finished the night with 26 saves.
With a late power-play opportunity to try and cut the deficit down to one, Daccord stuffed back-to-back shorthanded Minnesota opportunities late in the third. But on their third attempt, the Gophers finally struck as Rem Pitlick – Minnesota's leading scorer – scored shorthanded to put the game away, 5-2.
The Sun Devils' 21 victories on the season is a program best, and despite not playing in the final two games, sophomore forward Johnny Walker holds the co-lead for goals in the regular season at 23.
Daccord wraps up his regular season with at least a share of the most shutouts in the regular season with seven as well.
The Sun Devils will now wait three weeks before the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 24 on ESPN2. ASU currently sits at No. 8 in the Pairwise still after the series sweep.
After an early 4-0 deficit in the first 21 minutes of the game, ASU (21-12-1) shifted the momentum the rest of the second period behind a shorthanded goal from sophomore Dominic Garcia and another at full strength from junior Brett Gruber.
"While I didn't like the hole we put ourselves in early in the game, I was proud of the way the boys came back and battled," said head coach Greg Powers. "Obviously not the way we wanted to end our regular season, but it doesn't represent the historic season we've had as a program. I'm proud of this team, I love this team and now we prepare for bigger and better things."
Senior forward Dylan Hollman and junior forward Brett Gruber suited up in their 100th collegiate game as well, and the latter made it a two-goal game in the second period.
Another penalty-filled affair ensued with the calls going against the Sun Devils by a margin of five to one on the night. One of those came on a 5-minute major penalty and game disqualification against sophomore defenseman Jacob Wilson. He will serve a one-game suspension for the game disqualification.
Despite being shorthanded for five minutes, ASU managed to make the most of it with a shorthanded goal from Garcia over four minutes into the penalty kill.
The Sun Devils nearly managed to make it two shorthanded goals, but would end up scoring a goal eight minutes later to cut the Gopher lead to 4-2.
The boys continued to develop scoring chances in the middle frame and throughout the third period while junior netminder Joey Daccord made several key saves throughout the night to keep ASU in it. He finished the night with 26 saves.
With a late power-play opportunity to try and cut the deficit down to one, Daccord stuffed back-to-back shorthanded Minnesota opportunities late in the third. But on their third attempt, the Gophers finally struck as Rem Pitlick – Minnesota's leading scorer – scored shorthanded to put the game away, 5-2.
The Sun Devils' 21 victories on the season is a program best, and despite not playing in the final two games, sophomore forward Johnny Walker holds the co-lead for goals in the regular season at 23.
Daccord wraps up his regular season with at least a share of the most shutouts in the regular season with seven as well.
The Sun Devils will now wait three weeks before the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 24 on ESPN2. ASU currently sits at No. 8 in the Pairwise still after the series sweep.