MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Sun Devil Hockey was unable to secure the series sweep as it fell to Lindenwood, 9-6 (EN), on Saturday night at Centene Ice Center.
Arizona State freshmen Nathan Behm and Jonas Woo each recorded their first career NCAA goals, with Behm registering a pair of goals on the night.
The Sun Devils fell behind 3-0 early in the first period before answering with three straight goals from Ben Kevan, Daniel Shlaine and Behm to make it 3-3 heading into the first intermission.
Senior forward Kyle Smolen netted his second goal in as many games to give ASU a 4-3 lead in the second period, but Lindenwood responded with four unanswered goals to carry a 7-4 advantage into the final period.
The Sun Devils continued to battle, as Behm and Woo scored less than four minutes apart to bring ASU back within one at 7-6.
Sophomore goaltender Samuel Urban went to the bench with 1:40 remaining in regulation in favor of an extra skater before the Lions added two empty-net goals to make it 9-6.
ASU will return to Tempe and Mullett Arena for its home opener against Holy Cross on Friday, Oct. 9, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. MST in the first of the two-game series.
Notes
- Kyle Smolen’s 28th career goal moved him into a tie for fourth all-time in program history, joining Bennett Schimek (2024-26), Lukas Sillinger (2022-25) and Josh Doan (2021-23) with 28.
- Additionally, Smolen’s goal moved him into 10th all-time in points with 68, surpassing Demetrios Koumontzis (67, 2018-23).
- Daniel Shlaine joined Smolen as the two Sun Devils to score in both games over the weekend.
- Junior forward Jack O’Brien registered his first NCAA point with a primary assist on Behm’s second goal.
- The freshman trio of Landon Hafele, Woo and Behm combined for six points (3G, 3A), with all three recording their first career multipoint games.
- ASU finished the weekend with 11 goals and 17 different skaters recording at least one point.
Period-by-period breakdown
First period
After going down 3-0 early, the Sun Devils battled all the way back to even things at 3-3. Kevan turned on the jets to go coast-to-coast and bury his first goal of the season before Daniel Shlaine tacked on another 2:54 later to make it 3-2. With under five minutes to play, Jack Beck’s entry pass hit the tape of Nathan Behm, who blew past the defender and slid a backhand through the Lindenwood goaltender’s five-hole to score his first career NCAA goal and even things at three.
Second period
The Sun Devils carried their late first-period momentum into the second frame, as Kyle Smolen ripped home a one-timer to give ASU its first lead of the night at 4-3 just 6:18 into the period for his second goal in as many days. Lindenwood went on to score four unanswered goals as the Sun Devils entered the second intermission facing a 7-4 deficit.
Third period
ASU continued to battle back in the final frame. Jack O’Brien connected on a backdoor feed to Nathan Behm, who tipped in his second goal of the night. Jonas Woo netted his first NCAA goal at 3:47 after Behm’s tally to pull the Sun Devils within one at 7-6. Urban left the crease with 1:40 remaining in favor of an extra skater before Lindenwood added two empty-net goals to close out the game.
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