TEMPE — Hoping to improve its National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) playoff positioning, Arizona State hockey (13-16-1, 6-11-1 NCHC) hosted St. Cloud State (15-15-0, 8-12-0 NCHC) for the finale of a two-game home series. But another late-game mistake proved costly, as the Sun Devils fell 4-3 on Saturday.
With under 40 seconds left in regulation, ASU freshman goaltender Samuel Urban attempted to clear the puck. St. Cloud State junior forward Tyson Gross intercepted the attempt and scored with senior forward Bennett Schimek defending the crease.
“It’s tough because he was so good. You can’t pin it on your goalie,” ASU coach Greg Powers said of Urban. “It’s an unfortunate mistake that he made, but he held us in the game.”
Gross, who scored four goals in the Huskies’ sweep, notched both game-winning goals.
Even with two of the nation’s top point producers in Schimek and senior forward Cruz Lucius being held scoreless again, Sparky’s forward depth stepped up.
“I’m really happy with our young guys. I thought Kev [Ben Kevan], Melo [Carmelo Crandell], Noah Powell, Sammy Alfano and Logan Morrell were all really good for us,” Powers said. “They just keep getting better and better.”
Arizona State sophomore forward Noah Powell powered Mullett Arena, scoring 21 seconds into the third period. Even after Huskies freshman forward Noah Urness reclaimed the lead with 15 minutes remaining in regulation, ASU had an answer.
Freshman forward Carmelo Crandell’s one-timer tied the game with under four minutes left in the third period. However, a common theme hindered the Maroon and Gold.
“Third period has kind of been our Achilles’ heel this year, so I think we took a step in that department,” Schimek said.
“Yeah, both games are winnable, especially tonight,” Powers said. “It’s really unfortunate. … At the end of the day, we have not been able to get it done in close games this year, and that falls squarely on me.
While the Sun Devils hold a 5-2 record in one-goal contests this season, several losses have featured multi-goal leads slipping away in the final 20 minutes of regulation. Saturday night’s defeat marked Arizona State’s fifth loss in its last six games. The lone win during that stretch wasn’t without drama either, as they surrendered a three-goal lead in the third period before securing the overtime victory.
“We’re not out of it. We feel like we’re making a push, and we’re planning on making a push to see what kind of seeding we can get,” Schimek said, despite failing to earn a point in the NCHC standings this weekend. “Once we get into the playoffs, we know anything can happen.”
With eight teams making the NCHC playoffs, one team won’t see postseason action. ASU remains one point above Omaha for the last playoff spot. However, it won’t get any easier: The Sun Devils take on No. 4 Western Michigan, Omaha and No. 8 Denver to conclude conference play.
ASU looks to climb the NCHC standings as it heads to face the reigning conference and national champions, the Western Michigan Broncos, for a two-game road series beginning Feb. 13 at Lawson Ice Arena.
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