ASU's losing streak climbed to 11 games with the 3-0 loss to UConn on Sunday evening in the Desert Hockey Classic.
The Sun Devils made the transition to Division I hockey after their successful 2014-2015 season. Struggling tremendously since the change, they lost both games in the weekend tournament, the first of its kind in ASU’s first season as a Division I team. They're now 5-17-0.
The Sun Devils had a world of fun with all their previous success in the ACHA, but their transition into Division I play hasn’t gone as well. Here are some reasons why:
Tough transition
This season has been the opposite of ASU's prior success. The loss to UConn was its 11th straight against NCAA Division I opponents, but freshman goaltender Ryland Pashovitz says that's part of the learning process.
“Every game we have played has been really tough," he said. "We have played a lot of good teams; I think the teams we are playing against is a big thing. I think every game we are playing we are just learning how to get better and just play like the teams we are playing against.”
In seven of their last nine games, the Sun Devils have faced an opponent that was ranked in the USCHO's top-20 NCAA hockey poll. Head coach Greg Powers addressed how he intentionally scheduled his program against the elite programs in the country.
“The process is hard, it is hard to keep focus and nobody likes losing," he said. "We have decided to schedule really good teams. When these kids are all upperclassmen, the process that we are all going through right now will yield results when they are older … it’s about the process and what it’s going to take for us to become a great program.”
In Sunday's match against UConn, Powers started 12 freshmen.
Be more physical
Powers said his players need to be more physical and position themselves in front of the net.
“We need guys to get to that dirty area, it’s going to hurt," he said. "As soon as that red light goes on and you put the puck in the net, the pain goes away. It’s just a mindset."
Struggle on the power-play
During the course of the season the team has struggled while in power play opportunities. They are just 17 percent on the power-plays while their opponents are 25 percent on the power play.
Senior defenseman Jordan Young said that to improve scoring and shot count, the team has to take opportunities when it has them.
"Instead of looking for the best opportunities, just take the ones that we have," he said.
Powers said the struggles are a result of the team's mindset.
“We got a few shots blocked early," said Powers. "They can’t be afraid to let it go; I don’t get it.”
Penalties don’t help
The Sun Devils will have to become more disciplined if they want to reach higher success. In two games in the Desert Hockey Classic, the Sun Devils took 11 penalties. They are putting themselves at a disadvantage, making it hard to play both offensively and defensively, while the other team is often on the power play.
Outshot, outscored
In the Desert Hockey Classic finale against UConn, the Sun Devils were outshot 29-20 and failed to score a goal. On Friday against Yale, the shots were 40-12 in favor of the Bulldogs.
During the losing streak, ASU has also been outscored 50-9, and has failed to light the lamp at all in four contests.
“Our guys need to play with a little more jam on a consistent basis," Powers said. "You can’t play and win at this level if you are just going to play hard in stretches.”
The Sun Devils will try to end their streak as they head to Bemidji State for two games, starting Friday.
Related Links:
Yale defeats ASU 4-0 in Desert Hockey Classic opener
Penalties bite ASU hockey in first Division 1 home game
Reach the reporter at chaz.frazier@asu.edu or follow @chazf on Twitter.
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