ASU Hockey: Sun Devils defeat Liberty 7-0 behind David Jacobson's shutout

Behind a 15 save, shutout performance from freshman David Jacobson, the Arizona State Sun Devils earned a 7-0 victory at home over ACHA Liberty.

"I think every period got a little better, a little bit cleaner," said ASU coach Greg Powers. "You like to see the progression and that's what we were trying to do. We were trying to improve on every period that we had."

The first period was a feeling out process for both teams, but wasn't without it's fair share of action. The teams went back and forth, with both goalies making some big stops to keep the game scoreless.

Arizona State broke the tie when Liam Norris found Ryan Belonger, who ripped a shot high, blocker side on Liberty goalie Matt Pinel.

Four first-period power-plays, including one that carried over into the second period, wouldn't result in any more tallies.

In the second frame, Belonger and Norris would continue their great first period. After assisting a goal in the first period, Norris would get one of his own, off of a Belonger assist just 1:18 into the period. A little over seven minutes later, those two would be back at it again, this time both supplying assists on a Nicholas Gushue goal, putting the Sun Devils up 3-0.

It was full steam ahead in the third period, as the Sun Devils kept their foot on the gas pedal. It started with Anthony Croston getting himself on the board. About four minutes later Joe Lappin would put home a power-play opportunity, making the lead 5-0. Cody Gylling added his name to the score sheet with a power-play goal of his own, on a five-minute major penalty. Ryan Ostertag would add one more before everything was set and done.

The Sun Devils had seven different goal scorers, on 54 total shots.

"I think if we're going to score any goals — it's going to have to be by committee," Powers said. "We just don't have the horses to expect somebody to pop three or four. It's going to be by committee with this team and it was tonight."

Jacobson, who recorded the first shutout in ASU Division I history, was quick to credit his teammates for his great performance.

"It feels great. Shutouts aren't just a personal thing, it's a team thing. So to pull together and shutout them out for sixty minutes was great," Jacobson said.

Keeping composure during the periods was a struggle for Jacobson, who only had to make one save in the final period.

"It's hard for me personally, to keep myself in the game I actually sing all the songs that are playing. I just kind of keep myself in the game that way," Jacobsen added.

His favorite song tonight?

"Which one's my favorite? The song that goes 'I've got you on my mind' was my favorite today, it came on a couple of times," Jacobsen said.

The Sun Devils return to the ice next Friday against the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson.