ASU Hockey: Sun Devils swept in Massachusetts

The Sun Devils took to the road for the final time this year, closing out the Division I segment of their schedule. They dropped all three games of the weekend, including two against No. 8 UMass Lowell.

On Friday the Sun Devils got off to a solid start, with Ryan Stevens netting his third goal of the year with 5:16 left in the first, after having a 6-4 shot advantage at the six-minute mark.

It didn't take the River Hawks long to get that goal right back, trying to avoid the upset. Just 23 seconds later, the No. 8 team had tied it at one. By the time the first period ended, they would hold a 3-1 lead. They would one more in the second to make it 4-1, which ended up being the final score.

Saturday was a similar story. On ASU's first shot of the game, Anthony Croston scored his second goal of the season, putting the Sun Devils up early. But, just like Friday, UMass Lowell responded right away. About a minute and half later they tied it and then less than minute after that it was 2-1. By the time the final whistle sounded, the River Hawks won 8-1.

The finale of the weekend, and the Division 1 portion of the schedule, was against a new opponent, Merrimack and it wasn't a good one. The Sun Devils dropped that contest 10-0.

ASU has seven games remaining on the docket: two against Division III Wisconsin-Eau Claire, ACHA Liberty, ACHA Arizona and the US National U-18 team.

The next games will be Febuary 5-6 at Oceanside Ice Arena against Wisconsin-Eau Claire.