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Sun Devil Hockey takes 8-2 series opener against Ohio

Exhibition win still won't break 13-game losing streak against NCAA opponents

The team celebrates following Belonger's goal against Ohio on Friday January 22, 2016 at the Oceanside Arena in Tempe, AZ

The team celebrates following Belonger's goal against Ohio on Friday January 22, 2016 at the Oceanside Arena in Tempe, AZ



The Sun Devils defeated Ohio University 8-2, routing the Bobcats in the first of a two-game ACHA series.

The Division 2 exhibition win comes in the middle of a 13 game losing streak by the Devils, who haven't scored a goal against an NCAA opponent since Jan. 5.

There was a lot of action early in the first period at Oceanside Ice Arena. Ohio sophomore Jake Faiella found the net, scoring 3:14 into the first period.

The Sun Devils came back quickly lighting the lamp with a game-tying tally from freshman forward Cody Gylling. Liam Norris and Joe Lappin joined the action later in the period, each notching a goal to give their team a 3-1 lead.

Things didn't slow for ASU in the second period, as they scored four goals. Even-strength goals in the second period came from Jack Rowe, Ryan Belonger, and Anthony Croston, all after sophomore defenseman Edward McGovern netted a 5-on-3 power play goal to open second-period scoring.

The Bobcats’ freshman forward Matt Rudin snuck one in during that frame, giving his team their second goal of the match. The Sun Devils got production from all areas, and five Sun Devils had at least two points. After two periods, the Sun Devils led 7-2.

After giving up seven goals through two periods, Ohio held the Sun Devils to just one. Liam McGing got his second goal of the season, just after being credited with an assist on Croston's second-period goal.

ASU head coach Greg Powers was impressed that all of the first line scored a goal.

“They were good,” he said. "They were by far our best line of the night, they sustained the most pressure, really cycled the puck well, and really wore Ohio down.

Gylling also thought his own top line performed well.

"I think me, Rowe, and Lappin have played together about three times I think its just chemistry,” he said.

In addition, ASU did not give up a goal on the power play.

The Sun Devils outscored the Bobcats 31-13.

Despite the lopsided win, Powers found room for improvement.

“Other than the score, I honestly felt like it was as unjust 8-2 win," he said. "I thought Ohio outworked us. I think they deserved a little bit more fate than they got... I don’t want to be to negative and complain about an 8-2 win but I just don’t feel like we earned an 8-2 win."

Gylling said this this game could serve as a confidence-builder.

“We just looked to get our mojo back and get things going,” he said.


Reach the reporter at chaz.frazier@asu.edu or follow @chazf on Twitter.

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