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ASU Hockey: Sun Devils Split Home Series with Engineers

By Ethan Schmidt

Oct 15, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky during the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated theSun Devils 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky during the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated theSun Devils 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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ASU Hockey (3-12-0) split their series against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (3-12-1) at home this weekend. The Sun Devils won the first game, 5-3, and fell short in the second game on a late goal, 0-2.

The first match-up was full of momentum swings. The Sun Devils got things going early, earning four shots on a Power Play opportunity.

RPI would end up netting the first goal of the game. The Engineer’s Patrick Polino scored his second goal of the season on RPI’s first shot just over eight minutes into the 1st Period.

Brinson Pasichnuk tied the game for the Sun Devils just over five minutes later. It was his fourth of the season, assisted by David Norris and Tyler Busch.

RPI’s Brady Wiffen made a snipe from the slot beating Arizona State goaltender Ryland Pashovitz. The Engineers took a 2-1 lead into the 1st Intermission.

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The 2nd period remained even until RPI made a neutral zone turnover. Nicholas Gushue put the opportunity home as he scored five-hole to tie the game at 2.

The Sun Devils would finally lead for the first time in the game. Arizona State captain Dylan Hollman scored his second goal of the year, putting them up 3-2.

The Engineers battled back. Junior forward Lou Nanne fired a shot from just outside the left circle and freshman Jacob Hayhurst redirected it in to tie the game, 3-3.

Six and a half minutes through the 3rd Period, Arizona State was awarded a Power Play opportunity. Tyler Busch made a quality play to keep the puck in the zone, then passed it across the slot to Wade Murphy for a power play goal to take a 4-3 lead.

The final goal of the game was a beauty as Robbie Baillargeon, Jordan Masters, and Murphy arranged a rush. All three players would get a pass in as Baillargeon buried the final one from Masters. The 5-3 lead would be the final score.

The second game was a stalemate. Both teams would remain scoreless until the 3rd Period.

RPI junior defenseman Jared Wilson barely got the puck past senior goaltender Robert Levin. The goal, scored with just over 10 minutes left, would be the eventual game-winner.

The Engineers cushioned their lead with a late empty net goal as the Sun Devils took the chance of pulling Levin for the extra attacker. Riley Bourbonnais popped in the empty net goal for his seventh of the season.

RPI sophomore goaltender Cam Hackett earned the shutout for the Engineers with 28 saves.

Levin (1-4-0) finished with 26 saves for the Sun Devils. Sophomore Jordan Masters led the team with five shots on goal.

Next: ASU Hockey: ASU Falls to No. 10 Penn State

Arizona State is back at home again next weekend. The Sun Devils face off against the Colgate Raiders for a two-game series on Friday and Saturday.