COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Sun Devil Hockey put together a complete team effort on Friday night, suffocating Air Force in a 3-0 victory in game one of the weekend series at Cadet Ice Arena.
"It was just an unbelievably good team win," Coach Powers remarked after the game. "That as good of a team win as we have had in a long time. Defensively, we were almost perfect. The guys bought into exactly how we needed to play and what our gameplan was then went out there and executed it. Credit to them."
Senior forward Tyler Busch -- who was playing in his 100th collegiate game in the Maroon & Gold -- broke a scoreless tie in the second period and junior Johnny Walker provided some insurance in the third period as the Sun Devils cruised to victory. It is the first time the program has recorded a road shutout since defeating Boston University, 3-0, in January of 2019.
ASU held a healthy advantage in the shots on goal total a majority of the game, an indication of how the Sun Devils controlled the action. The penalty kill was perfect on the evening, allowing only three shots on goal in the eight minutes they were down a man. Sophomore netminder Evan DeBrouwer was fantastic in net, not only picking up his first collegiate win but also his first collegiate shutout.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
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"It was just an unbelievably good team win," Coach Powers remarked after the game. "That as good of a team win as we have had in a long time. Defensively, we were almost perfect. The guys bought into exactly how we needed to play and what our gameplan was then went out there and executed it. Credit to them."
Senior forward Tyler Busch -- who was playing in his 100th collegiate game in the Maroon & Gold -- broke a scoreless tie in the second period and junior Johnny Walker provided some insurance in the third period as the Sun Devils cruised to victory. It is the first time the program has recorded a road shutout since defeating Boston University, 3-0, in January of 2019.
ASU held a healthy advantage in the shots on goal total a majority of the game, an indication of how the Sun Devils controlled the action. The penalty kill was perfect on the evening, allowing only three shots on goal in the eight minutes they were down a man. Sophomore netminder Evan DeBrouwer was fantastic in net, not only picking up his first collegiate win but also his first collegiate shutout.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Sun Devils and Falcons played to a scoreless tie at the end of one period, with the ASU killing two penalties in the first 13 minutes of the game.
- Arizona State's first major scoring chance came immediately after killing the first penalty, as Demetrios Koumontzis and Brinson Pasichnuk challenged Air Force goaltender Zach LaRocque with back-to-back shots on goal.
- Hard work on the penalty kill led to a short-handed opportunity for Brinson Pasichnuk, as he beat Zach LaRocque but his shot hit the post.
- Tyler Busch got the Sun Devils on the board at the 13:37 mark in the second period, cashing in on a feed from Filips Buncis with Willie Knierim picking up the secondary assist.
- Arizona State's strong collective defensive effort restricted the time and space for the Falcons' shooters, as Air Force only recorded seven shots on net, a big reason why the Maroon & Gold held a 1-0 lead through two periods.
- Of the four penalty kills, the biggest of the night was in the third period with ASU hanging on to a 1-0 lead. The Sun Devils did not allow a shot over the two minutes, reclaiming the momentum in a tough road environment.
- James Sanchez found a wide-open Johnny Walker in front of the net, who provided the insurance Arizona State needed, registering his fourth goal of the season with 7:52 left in the game.
- The Falcons made their biggest push of the evening after falling down by two goals, but Evan DeBrouwer was up to the task. He put together his best stretch of the evening over the final eight minutes, helping the Sun Devils withstand a late push.
- Willie Knierim cashed in on an empty-net opportunity with 1:28 left, sealing the victory for the Sun Devils.
- Senior captain Tyler Busch played in his 100th career game as a Sun Devil, moving into a tie for fourth in games played in program history. He also registered his 24th career goal and third-career game-winner.
- A clear emphasis on selflessness and sacrifice by the Sun Devils was reflected in their 22-8 advantage in blocked shots.
- Not only did the Maroon & Gold block plenty of shots, they won the shots on goal battle 23-15.
- Arizona State's penalty kill unit was in sync tonight, killing all four penalties while only allowing four shots.
- James Sanchez now has five assists this season, credited with an assist in four of his first five games as a Sun Devil.
- Evan DeBrouwer earned his first win as a Sun Devil in style, recording a 15-save shutout. Eight of those came in the third period, as he came through big for his team as the Falcons made a final push over the final eight minutes.
- Filips Buncis and Willie Knierim both dished out their first assists of the season.
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