TEMPE, ARIZ. – Arizona State allowed two empty-net goals on Friday night, and that was not the only thing empty in Mullett Arena, as a lot of Sun Devil fans went for the exits, leaving a lot of empty seats in the building.
Arizona State hockey (13-15-1, 6-10-1 NCHC) lost 4-1 (EN) to Saint Cloud State (14-15, 7-12 NCHC) in a game where it felt like a stalemate for a large portion of the game. The Sun Devils were tied with the Huskies entering the third period, and two of the last three losses the Devils have entered the final frame tied or with the lead.
“Both teams were kind of playing not to lose, and not a ton of really good chances either way,” Arizona State head coach Greg Powers said. “I don’t even want to know how many empty-net goals we’ve let in this year.”
Powers did not want to know that statistic for good reason. The Sun Devils have allowed 11 empty-net goals this season compared to six last season. In their 15 losses this season, only five have been without an empty-netter.
The Sun Devils have struggled in third periods this season, especially as of late. The last time the Sun Devils outscored their opponent in the third was on Jan. 10 against Miami. In the five games since then, they have outscored 14-4 in the third period.
Sophomore defenseman Joel Kjellberg uncharacteristically whiffed on a puck that allowed the Huskies to score their first empty-net goal, which was the dagger for the Sun Devils' hopes of winning.
The Sun Devils' power play was abysmal, allowing a shorthanded goal and failing to score on two attempts.
The penalty kill was good for the Sun Devils as they killed off St. Cloud’s two power plays, only allowing the Huskies to get one shot off.
Sophomore forward Noah Powell scored his fifth goal of the season. Sophomore forward Logan Morrell and freshman forward Sam Alfano assisted Powell on his goal. Alfano is on a six-game point streak with eight points in that stretch.
“I think Sam Alfano, (has made a big push in getting better this season), he’s done a really good job,” Morrell said. “He plays his role, he’s a big body: can hit guys, make plays up front, score goals.”
Freshman goaltender Samuel Urban had a 30-save night, allowing two goals, which was good enough to keep the Sun Devils in contention. Urban is having a solid freshman season with a .917 save percentage.
Total shots and faceoffs have been a struggle for the Sun Devils as of late, but that was not the case on Friday. Both teams had 34 shots, and Arizona State won the battles at the dot 30-19, with Morrell dominating 16-3.
“I take a lot of pride in faceoffs, it's something that’s really helped me get to this level,” Morrell said.
Senior forward Cruz Lucius is in a dry spell, with one goal in his last 11 games and none in his last eight. Lucius has recorded eight assists in that stretch. In the first 18 games of the season, he had 11 goals and 18 points.
Freshman forward Braxton Whitehead was scratched due to injury. He could return next week at Western Michigan, giving the Sun Devils some depth to tinker with their lineup.
“We gave ourselves a chance to win, we just didn’t,” Powers said.