The ASU hockey team split two games as they took to the ice for the first time this season against the Long Beach State 49ers last weekend.
In their first game of the year, the Devils got off to a slow start and it cost them in a 3-2 upset loss to the Division II 49ers.
"We are not happy with the split this weekend," said ASU coach Mike DeAngelis. "(Long Beach) is a strong team, but I feel we outplayed and outshot them both games."
Senior captain Tony Bonacorso and forward Trevor Van Conant scored for the Sun Devils in the losing effort. Sophomore goaltender Kyle Bronsteen made 16 saves for ASU.
"Bonacorsco is definitely our leader on this team," DeAngelis said. "He is relentless with his leadership and a big part of this program."
49ers sophomore forward Sean Hoang had the game-winning goal for Long Beach in Eric Raimondo's first win as head coach. Long Beach forward Brian Horowitz and defenseman Jason Hastings each tallied a power play goal in the win.
In the second game of the weekend visit to Long Beach, Bronsteen stole the show and junior forward Joe Ahern scored the only goal in a 3-2 shootout win for their first victory of the young season.
"Shootouts are always exciting," DeAngelis said. "Bronsteen stepped up for us big time. The ice was really bad in the shootout."
Bronsteen was excellent in the game for ASU, making 46 saves, including a stop of a penalty shot in the second period to preserve the win. DeAngelis said he is going to rely on the sophomore this year for leadership and consistency between the pipes.
"Bronsteen has looked as sharp as he ever has here," DeAngelis added. "I challenged him to find a way to beat the other guy in goal and he has responded strong."
The Sun Devils will return to the ice on Friday to take on intrastate rival UA at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale.
Reach the reporter at russell.brooks@asu.edu
