ASU Hockey: Sun Devils avoid road sweep in Colorado Springs with late comeback

Coming off a dramatic overtime win that salvaged the Princeton series just six days prior to their series against Colorado College (8-7-3), the weekend didn’t get off to an ideal start for Arizona State (4-10-4).

Currently ranked 22nd by USCHO.com, Colorado College is one of the tougher road opponents ASU has faced to this point, but with the difficult upcoming schedule the Sun Devils will face, they also serve as a great test.

Game One

Shutouts have been an issue for ASU, as they had been kept off the scoreboard by opposing goalies three times heading into Friday’s game. Of the shutouts they have suffered, all three were opening games in series and this one was no different.

The Tigers of Colorado College struck three times in the first period all within five minutes to grab an early 3-0 lead.

They struck again early in the second to extend the lead to 4-0, where it would remain for the rest of the game.

The Devils were 0-for-2 on the power play while the penalty kill allowed a goal on three attempts on the night.

Westin Michaud scored two goals for the Tigers and Christiano Versich scored a goal to go along with two assists as they spear-headed Colorado College’s attack in the win.

The Colorado College goalie Alex Leclerc saved all 36 shots he faced to earn the shutout for the Tigers.

The goal tending situation was vastly different on the ASU side as the usually reliable Joey Daccord allowed four goals on just 11 shots before being pulled for backup goalie Ryland Pashovitz.

Pashovitz did a great job off the bench stopping all 28 shots he faced in a relief effort.

After a rough series opener, the Devils had a lot to be desired heading into the series finale.

Game Two

The second game got off to another fast start but this time in favor of the Sun Devils as they struck first and fast jumping out to a two goal lead before the ten-minute mark.

A beautiful play set up by Anthony Croston allowed Gvido Jansons to score first and then a three-on-none opportunity resulted in Brett Gruber putting home the second tally.

Following their great start, ASU slipped a bit allowing four unanswered goals in the next twenty minutes.

It was at this point that the resiliency of this young Arizona State team showed up, ironically, in the form of Tyler Busch.

One of the most seasoned veterans on the team, Busch beat Leclerc to draw the Sun Devils within one just over halfway through the second period.

Just minutes later, after a decidedly questionable penalty call, it was Anthony Croston who took an offensive opportunity the other way and notched the team’s first shorthanded goal of the season to tie the game at four a piece.

That’s where the score would stay for the remainder of the game as it headed to overtime with the game tied, 4-4.

Following a scoreless five minute, five-on-five overtime the game ended in a tie, a minor victory for the Sun Devils considering where the series started.

Heading into the Three Rivers classic in Pittsburgh where ASU will first face No. 11 Providence, this tie was a sign of life heading into what will be the hardest part of the schedule to this point.

The Sun Devils are done playing until after Christmas when they will face the Friars of Providence on Friday, Dec. 29..

The offense will need to show up if ASU wants to compete in the Three Rivers Classic and the Ice Vegas Invitational, otherwise it could be more of the same.