The Sun Devil bench let out a collective “ohh” when sophomore forward Jordan Masters was all alone in the neutral zone and a pass flew past him, just out of reach. The pass would’ve created a breakaway as ASU led 1-0 in the first period.
Instead, Colgate picked up the puck and skated it into the zone, and the Raiders senior defenseman Brett Corkey scored a game-tying goal.
Maybe it was just that type of night for the Sun Devils (4-13-0), or maybe they just didn’t work hard enough to get the win.
ASU fell on Saturday, 3-2, to the Colgate Raiders (4-9-4).
“I don’t think we deserved to win tonight. They outworked us, really from start to finish,” Powers said. “We just didn’t play disciplined. Dumb penalties, offensive zone penalties, penalties behind the faceoffs, things that just didn’t need to happen.”
ASU scored a minute after the Corkey goal with 12 seconds left in the first period on a tally from sophomore forward Anthony Croston, and the Sun Devils went into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead. It was Croston's first goal of the season.
In the second period, a power play goal by Colgate senior forward Tim Harrison tied the game. Harrison made sure to chirp at the ASU bench as he skated by, continuing the tension that has percolated through the two-game series.
“It’s a proud program,” Powers said of Colgate. “They came out here to not get swept by the new guy. They came out here tonight and attacked that game with a lot of passion.”
A fitting end to a series full of tension. Handshakes didn't go well. pic.twitter.com/PYqX5SAI8w
— Matt J. Layman (@mattjlayman) December 4, 2016
Jumping ahead to the third period, Masters was called for the uncommon charging penalty to the irritation of the ASU bench, and Colgate’s power play was buzzing. As ASU worked on a sluggish line change with short time, the Raiders lit the lamp to take the deciding 3-2 lead.
Despite seven total penalties against ASU, Powers wasn’t critical of the referees after the game.
“I didn’t think it was bad. There was a lot of calls,” Powers said with raised eyebrows.
As they did on Friday, ASU scored first, this time on a goal by junior forward Wade Murphy. Senior Derek Freeman was credited with the final goal for Colgate.
Ryland Pashovitz was in net again on Saturday for ASU. It’s the sophomore’s first back-to-back starts all season.
The Sun Devils were outshot 27-15.
Reach the reporter at matthew.layman@asu.edu or follow @Mattjlayman on Twitter.
Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepresssport on Twitter.
