BEIJING, China – Sun Devil Hockey began ASU's 2019-20 athletic season Friday night in Beijing with game one of the Renaissance Cup at Ao Zhong Ice Sports Club.
In game one of the tournament, dawning their new adidas China jerseys, ASU outclawed the Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), 5-3, with nine Sun Devils tallying at least a point. Junior forwards Johnny Walker and Filips Buncis, and senior forward Brett Gruber each recorded a goal and an assist.
"It was a lot of fun getting our guys in a competitive atmosphere so early," said head coach Greg Powers. "Playing against professional competition will really help prepare us for what promises to be another successful season."
Graduate transfer Max Prawdzik earned the exhibition victory with 26 saves on 29 shots faced, including three big saves down the stretch to hold on to the two-goal lead. The Devils outshot the Red Star 50-29.
Just over two minutes into the first period, freshman forward Logan Jenuwine – who led the NAHL in scoring in 2018-19 with 60-plus goals – picked up where he left off with a quick snapper in between the circles on a feed from junior forward Filips Buncis.
In the second period, Walker found himself alone on a breakaway feed from Gruber, made the goalie bite on a move in front and backhanded his first into the empty net.
After the Red Star tied the game up with two unanswered goals of their own, Buncis netted his first goal and second point of the night, punching in a loose puck with less than a second on the clock in the second period.
ASU netted another two on nice moves in front by sophomore forward Jordan Sandhu and Gruber to put the game out of reach in the third period.
The Sun Devils play KRS-ORG (VHL) in their second game of the tournament on Saturday, August 3 at 2 p.m. XJT / 11 p.m. (Aug. 2 - MST).
In game one of the tournament, dawning their new adidas China jerseys, ASU outclawed the Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), 5-3, with nine Sun Devils tallying at least a point. Junior forwards Johnny Walker and Filips Buncis, and senior forward Brett Gruber each recorded a goal and an assist.
"It was a lot of fun getting our guys in a competitive atmosphere so early," said head coach Greg Powers. "Playing against professional competition will really help prepare us for what promises to be another successful season."
Graduate transfer Max Prawdzik earned the exhibition victory with 26 saves on 29 shots faced, including three big saves down the stretch to hold on to the two-goal lead. The Devils outshot the Red Star 50-29.
Just over two minutes into the first period, freshman forward Logan Jenuwine – who led the NAHL in scoring in 2018-19 with 60-plus goals – picked up where he left off with a quick snapper in between the circles on a feed from junior forward Filips Buncis.
In the second period, Walker found himself alone on a breakaway feed from Gruber, made the goalie bite on a move in front and backhanded his first into the empty net.
After the Red Star tied the game up with two unanswered goals of their own, Buncis netted his first goal and second point of the night, punching in a loose puck with less than a second on the clock in the second period.
ASU netted another two on nice moves in front by sophomore forward Jordan Sandhu and Gruber to put the game out of reach in the third period.
The Sun Devils play KRS-ORG (VHL) in their second game of the tournament on Saturday, August 3 at 2 p.m. XJT / 11 p.m. (Aug. 2 - MST).