Forward Chris Burkemper takes a shot at the goal. ASU had a close match with Liberty University at Oceanside Arena on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014. ASU won 6-4. (Photo by Mario Mendez)No. 2 ASU (16-2) saw its eight-game winning streak end this weekend against No. 6 Stony Brook (10-2), as the Sun Devils were unable to complete the three-game weekend sweep against the Seawolves and Rutgers University.
It was a change of perspective for ASU, as it roared to a 4-0 shutout win on Saturday night behind the strong play of sophomore goaltender Robert Levin.
ASU opened the scoring Saturday night and would not let go, appearing to dominate possession the entire way.
Sophomore forward Ryan Belonger had a big night with two goals, opening up the Sun Devil scoring attack early in the first period with a goal and adding another off of a power play in the third. Junior defenseman Jordan Young also had a great night, contributing three assists.
It was the Sun Devils' first game against the Seawolves since the 2013-14 ACHA national semifinal, which ASU won en route to its first national championship.
ASU was in an unusual position Sunday afternoon: losing.
For just the second time in the the 2014-15 season the Sun Devils fell, losing in dominating fashion as Stony Brook scored six unanswered in a 6-3 defeat.
ASU jumped out on top of Stony Brook early in the first period, with sophomore forward Tommy Cooney opening up the scoring by slapping a goal past Stony Brook goaltender Brendan Jones with 14:33 remaining in the period.
Freshman defenseman Ed McGovern starred in the early portions of the game, scoring twice in the span of a minute to extend the early lead to 3-0. The second goal came off a power play, giving ASU a goal on special teams in each of the three games this weekend.
Stony Brook began to wake up late in the opening period, taking back some momentum in drawing a penalty shot with 1:33 remaining in the period. Senior forward Ryan Cotcamp took advantage, going top shelf on Levin with the penalty shot to get the Seawolves on the board.
After that goal, the floodgates opened for Stony Brook.
Senior Sam Brewster got the Seawolves back in the game early in the second period, scoring shorthanded to cut the lead to 3-2. Senior defenseman Matt Miano scored five minutes later on a power play, knotting things up at three goals apiece.
Stony Brook had all the momentum on its side and never looked back, completely dominating the rest of the way.
The Seawolves took the lead with 3:37 remaining in the second as sophomore forward JT Hall deflected a shot past Levin. They would tally on two more from senior forward Vincent Lopes and sophomore forward Joseph Bochiochio to make it six unanswered goals for Stony Brook.
No. 2 ASU returns home next week, hosting No. 12 Minot State at home starting Thursday night. ASU swept their previous series against the Beavers this season.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Levin's shutout Saturday night was his fourth of the season, giving him the ACHA lead in that category.
- ASU is now 0-2 in games which they have given up five or more goals.
- Stony Brook outshot ASU 27-23 on Saturday night, marking the first time this season that ASU has been outshot in a game. ASU outshot Stony Brook 44-43 on Sunday afternoon.
- Stony Brook's penalty shot in the first period on Sunday was the first penalty shot for or against ASU in a game this season.
THREE STARS (Saturday)
Third Star: Jordan Young, ASU (three assists)
Second Star: Robert Levin, ASU (0 GA, 27 saves)
First Star: Ryan Belonger, ASU (two goals)
THREE STARS (Sunday)
Third Star: Ed McGovern, ASU (two goals)
Second Star: Ryan Cotcamp, Stony Brook (penalty shot goal)
First Star: Sam Brewster, Stony Brook (one goal, two assists)
Reach the reporter at fardaya@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @fardaya15
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