TEMPE — As freshman forward Carmelo Crandell skated past the blue line and fought his way through two defenders’ sticks to bury the empty net goal, his teammates and coach Greg Powers understood that they just won the Desert Hockey Classic. The crowd came together in unison to sing “Hey Baby” in celebration of the goal.
“It feels good to win,” Crandell said. “I think just adding the trophy to it just makes it feel a little bit better. It was a good weekend.”
Arizona State Sun Devils (11-10-1, 4-5-1 NCHC) hockey took down Air Force (10-8-2, 6-5-1 AHA) to secure their third straight Desert Hockey Classic at Mullett Arena on Saturday night, 5-2. For Powers and the Sun Devils, it’s the first time this season that they hold a winning record.
Powers’ top line has been producing at a record rate, with no other line in college hockey producing more points. The forward line of sophomore Cullen Potter and seniors Bennett Schimek and Cruz Lucius has combined for 88 total points through 22 games. Lucius is the NCAA points leader with 32, followed by Schimek with 31.
The Sun Devils came out of the gates similarly to Friday night, giving up a goal within two minutes.
After the early goal, the Maroon and Gold settled in as the top line struck gold yet another night in a row, with Potter tying the game up after receiving a cross-ice pass to bury the one-timer.
The top-line didn’t stop there as moments later in the first period, they would take the lead following senior forward Bennett Schimek’s goal.
“I think the two guys I am playing with are just so talented and so smart when they have the puck,” Schimek said. “Being out their with them you can count on them that they are going to make the right play with the puck. So I think it is all three of us doing our part.”
“Establishing an identity,” Powers said about the team’s 8-3 record in its last 11 games. “Establishing a standard. When you have so many new players, it is tough to accept and buy into roles from day one, and this team made a choice together that winning was more important than individual gain.”
Powers proved his point by highlighting his fourth line of Crandell, freshman forward Ben Kevan and freshman forward Braxton Whitehead, who had not played much to start the year. Freshman forward Ty Nash helped his team to victory Friday night, firing home two goals of his own.
One line Powers wanted to see improve from Friday to Saturday night was his third line, consisting of freshman forward Sam Alfano and sophomore forwards Noah Powell and Logan Morrell.
In Friday’s press conference, Powers said he expects more out of the line and they might have been the worst line. He challenged them to take a step up, which they did on Saturday.
The third line brought physical play with blocked shots and big-time hits along the boards. The forecheck was strong and Morrell scored to wrap everything together to extend the Sun Devils lead to two and put them up 3-1 in the eventual game-winning goal.
“I thought they were much better,” Powers said. “They managed pucks better and big goal in the second and they could have had more. But that line was good. We got production out of everybody tonight.”
The penalty kill, a unit that was praised by Powers on Friday, which went perfect on the night, had its fair share of struggles that could have resulted in multiple goals.
Senior netminder Connor Hasley led the penalty kill, saving 33 out of 35 shots on goal. He stayed in the game despite getting hurt and having the trainers come onto the ice for him.
“I think your best penalty killer has to be your goalie,” Powers said. “And tonight he was. We made a few mistakes on it, and he made one huge save with his right pad that they had hit on the back door, but they (the kill) have bought in and they are doing a great job.”
The Arizona State Sun Devils moved up to 24th in the NCAA Percentage Index (NPI) rankings after Saturday night’s win and will look to keep it going when they face off against the Miami Redhawks on Jan. 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Mullett Arena.
“Now we have got to move on and graduate to the postseason trophies and tournaments,” Powers said.
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