Mercyhurst Spoils #20 Hockey's Home Opener

TEMPE – Coming off a historic campaign a year ago, No. 20 Sun Devil Hockey opened up the season in a rare position, starting the season as a favorite. Despite the late momentum and 2-1 lead with three minutes remaining, the Sun Devils (0-1-0) were dealt a taste of the same medicine they've handed out so many times in the past, dropping the home opener 3-2.
 
Mercyhurst (1-0-0) capitalized on a bouncing puck in front before scoring the eventual game-winner on a centering pass with 18 seconds remaining.
 
"We've got to learn from that," Powers said. "Getting off to a slow start ended up hurting us. I thought we were really good in the last 2 periods, especially in the third, but we just couldn't put the puck in the net."
 
One of the newer players on the team, junior transfer forward Willie Knierim, and senior captain Brinson Pasichnuk netted ASU's only tallies.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Just minutes after the Lakers grabbed an early lead, Knierim took a pass from Josh Maniscalco that left him one-on-one with the netminder and he tucked it five-hole to tie the game back up for the Devils, building their first bit of momentum.
• With a little over half of the third period remaining, however, ASU claimed their first lead of the season behind a heavy wrist shot from captain Brinson Pasichnuk that found a way to trickle through.
• The Devils controlled the pace for the next few shifts before a Mercyhurst power play, allowing them to tie the game.
• After several scoring chances went astray during ASU's two-minute power play with three minutes remaining, Mercyhurst came back with momentum. With 18 seconds left, a centering pass found pay dirt as the shot went off the post and past DeBrouwer for the 3-2 lead.

GAME FACTS:

• In the final period, the Devils outshot the Lakers 21-5. ASU outshot Mercyhurst 35-23 overall.
• Brinson Pasichnuk finished with a goal and an assist.
• Tonight's attendance set a record for most in home opener.

The Devils will have a chance to split the series in game two tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. MST. Limited tickets remain here.