Defender Connor Schmidt looks for an open teammate at a home game against UA. Schmidt scored in ASU's 3-0 win over Lindenwood Friday. (Photo by Mario Mendez)There was no way anything was going into ASU's net Friday night.
Despite trailing in shots after the first two periods, sophomore goaltender Robert Levin shut out No. 6 Lindenwood (10-9-2) to lead No. 1 ASU (25-3) to a 3-0 victory.
In what was ASU's first road game of the 2015 calendar year, the Sun Devils failed to put anything on the board in the opening period.
The scoring finally broke out in the second period, with junior defenseman Connor Schmidt scoring off the assists from sophomore forward Jarrod Levos and freshman forward Mak Barden.
Sophomore forward Michael Cummings added another goal in the second period, scoring unassisted to give ASU a 2-0 lead.
Despite ASU's lead it still trailed to Lions in shots on goal, 23 to 18.
But Levin wouldn't let up.
He got some insurance with 13:38 left in the final period, as Cummings scored his second goal of the game off the assist from forward Kyle Bowen to make it 3-0.
ASU plays Lindenwood again on Saturday night in St. Charles, Missouri.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Levin's shutout is his sixth of the season, which is the most of any goaltender in the ACHA. Levin is allowing 2.00 goals per game this season.
- Friday's goals were Cummings' 14th and 15th of the season, giving him 22 total points (15 goals, seven assists) on the season in 26 games. Cummings had a hat trick in ASU's last game against Central Oklahoma on Saturday.
- In Friday's latest ACHA national rankings, ASU remained at No. 1 in the nation. The Sun Devils have not fallen below the No. 2 spot at any point this season.
THREE STARS:
Third Star: Connor Schmidt, ASU (one goal)
Second Star: Michael Cummings, ASU (two goals)
First Star: Robert Levin, ASU (0 GA, shutout)
Reach the assistant sports editor at fardaya@asu.edu or follow @fardaya15 on Twitter.
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