KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Sun Devil Hockey dropped its series opener, 6-2, against No. 4 Western Michigan. Three goals in the first period were too much for ASU to overcome at Lawson Ice Arena on Friday night.
Junior forward Kyle Smolen scored both goals for Arizona State (13-17-1, 6-12-1 NCHC) and notched the fourth multi-goal game of his career. The co-captain needed just two shots for the two scores.
Sun Devil freshman forwards Ben Kevan and Carmelo Crandell were the assists on both Smolen goals, marking the first multi-assist game for Crandell and the second straight for Kevan.
WMU (21-8, 13-6 NCHC) managed to neutralize two ASU power plays in the third period, and eventually scored two late goals in the third period to add cushion in their 6-2 win.
Arizona State will look to split the series tomorrow, Feb. 14, with puck drop slated for 4 p.m. MST. Live streaming and can be found on NCHC.tv and radio coverage is available on Fox Sports 910AM.
Period-by-period breakdown
First period
- The Broncos scored the game’s first goal, following a Western Michigan power play to take a 1-0 lead.
- WMU tipped in a second goal with 10:09 left on the clock. A third goal came on the power play shortly after, making it 3-0 in favor of WMU.
- Smolen scored his fifth goal of the year on a one-timer from Kevan to cut into the Broncos' lead with 5:54 remaining in the opening period. The Broncos would take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
Second Period
- Smolen found the back of the net once again, just two minutes into the middle frame.
- WMU responded late in the period, scoring its fourth goal of the contest to lead 4-1 after the second period.
Third Period
- Unable to capitalize on two power plays, and two more goals coming from WMU, ASU fell by a score of 6-2.
Notables:
- Junior forward Kyle Smolen tied his single-game career high with two goals and recorded the fourth multi-goal game of his Sun Devil career. Additionally, it's Smolen’s first game with two-plus goals since Oct. 4, 2024, against Air Force.
- Smolen’s two-point performance was his third multi-point game of the season and the 13th of his career.
- Freshman Ben Kevan recorded his second-consecutive game with two assists, and has four points in his last two games after just one assist in the 27 games prior.
- Freshman Carmelo Crandell tallied his third multi-point game of the season and his first game with two-plus assists.
- Senior goaltender Connor Hasley notched 40+ saves for the fourth time this season after 40 against the Broncos on Friday.
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