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ASU Hockey: Forming Stronger Bonds on the Road

By Michael Gutnick

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil stands on the court during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 11, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 67-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil stands on the court during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 11, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 67-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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As ASU hockey endures a month-long road trip, players form stronger bonds during this tough stretch of games away from Arizona.

Playing away from Oceanside Arena for nearly the entire month of October is not the easiest of tasks for ASU hockey. While the power play and defensive zone coverage has struggled early in the season, one thing that the Sun Devils have improved on during this extensive journey is making stronger bonds among the players.

Head Coach Greg Powers spoke about how the team forms necessary connections to make positive feelings on the ice amidst their gauntlet on the road.

“Anytime you go back-to-back-to-back, it’s a lot. Things don’t go your way. We needed a moment to feel good about ourselves and Saturday gave us that,” Powers said after their shootout victory at Nebraska-Omaha, “There was not one guy who was not excited to get on that plane and get back to work because they got that contagious feeling after getting a good moment collectively. We want to get more and get that feeling again.”

The Sun Devils would like to get those feelings of victory in regulation as they grind their way through this road trip and the course of their 2017-2018 season. However, a challenge arises for the newer members of the group as they endure this month-long expedition.

As the freshman adapt to the NCAA hockey schedules, some of the veterans have taken rookies under their wings during these games away from home. Arizona State’s sophomore goaltender Joey Daccord talked about establishing closer bonds collectively with the younger guys.

“I think when you are on the road with your team, you definitely get a lot closer. You’re only hanging with each other and you spend hours on end with each other. The young guys are handling it pretty well. They help us set up for success” Daccord said.

Through five games in the season, the Sun Devil veteran netminder has maintained a goals against average of 3.39 and a save percentage of .902. While Daccord stands as a leader in goal, sophomore defender Brinson Pasichnuk serves as a compelling force for Sun Devil blue line and he gave his thoughts on the team’s development in stronger bonds.

“It’s good. Hockey is kind of a different sport. It’s a bigger team, but everyone is still so close. Traveling is a fun experience, but it does get exhausting specially three weekends in a row. It puts a toll on us, but it makes us work harder” replied Pasichnuk.

Next: ASU Hockey: Sun Devils win in shootout to tie UNO

Currently, on the road trip, ASU holds a record of 0-3-1 after skating against Air Force and Nebraska-Omaha. With stronger bonds in the locker room, the Sun Devils seek a win against the Colgate Raiders to round off their journey across the country.