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Although the 2016-2017 season wasn’t the first for the Arizona State hockey team, it was certainly full of firsts for the club.
One game in particular took care of one of the more significant of those firsts when the Sun Devils topped the No. 18 Air Force Falcons at Gila River Arena by a score of 5-2 in Oct., 2016.
The win was the first against a ranked opponent in school history making it one of the most historic wins in program history.
Following an opening NCAA season where the club mustered just five wins the entire season, getting a win to finish up their first home series of the season was pivotal in aiding the team en route to a 10-win season.
The Sun Devils shined as they made history behind a great effort in net by freshman goalie Joey Daccord who stopped 24 of 26 Air Force shots.
Robbie Baillargeon had a huge game as well, notching three points (1G, 2A) in a game where the Sun Devils never trailed.
The win was the lone one of its kind during a stretch where the team played nine straight games against ranked opponents, four of which were on the road.
Although the team grew exponentially from their first season to their second, there is still plenty to improve upon heading into the 2017-2018 season.