ASU Hockey: Sun Devils fall in overtime to Michigan State, pick up series split

No. 16 Arizona State (9-5-2) competed for a full 60 minutes, but fell on the wrong side of the stick to No. 18 Michigan State (9-8-1) in overtime on Sunday evening. The Sun Devils allowed just one goal, but it would be an OT winner for the Spartans in a 1-0 final.

Both sides mustered 36 shots on goal, but after 60 minutes, it would take extra time to decide a winner. Otherwise, both teams would have to succumb to a tie.

Michigan State would prevail though, thanks to junior forward Mitchell Lewandowski, who put home a shot on the backhand past ASU sophomore goaltender Evan DeBrouwer.

On the game-winner, a loose puck was kicked out to Lewandowski from behind the net. He was able to weave his way around a Sun Devil defender, then put away the winning score.

The moment was unfortunate for the Sun Devils, but the team put forth a valiant effort throughout the weekend. The loss also snapped a streak of six consecutive games without a loss.

Sun Devil junior forward Johnny Walker pelted four pucks on net against Spartan senior goaltender John Lethemon, and ASU senior defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk put five shots on goal, but ASU just couldn’t find the puck luck against MSU.

Both goaltenders stood tall, but it would be the Spartans who came out victorious in a game that could have gone either way.

The last two weekends, ASU has come close to sweeping two ranked opponents, but they just haven’t been able to slam the door. Regardless, their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

Head coach Greg Powers has his team sitting at No. 9 in the PairWise rankings, and after a hard-fought road series against a Big Ten opponent, it’s likely that they won’t be moving down any time soon. Against ranked opponents this season, ASU is a respectable 4-3-1.

Up next, the Sun Devils stay on the road and will take on Nebraska-Omaha on Dec. 21 and 22.