Following a disappointing overtime loss to Air Force on the road, the ASU hockey team hosted No. 10 Michigan for its home opener weekend.
The Sun Devils fell 4-1 in game one against the Wolverines before clawing back from a two-goal deficit within the last minute to tie Michigan 3-3 in game two. While the game counted as a tie, a shootout goal by freshman forward Cullen Potter sent fans home with an upset win.
"The student section is electric," Potter said. "They're always on their feet, chanting something, doing something. So it was amazing."
The Sun Devils struggled to get the puck moving in game one against a high-powered Wolverines unit.
"Obviously when they score it's a dagger but, it's how we come back from that," said senior defenseman and captain Ethan Szmagaj. "I think we let up a little bit with our physicality, getting pucks and we've got to pressure them harder."
A series of scrums broke out in the third period after big hits by the Sun Devil defense. While fans might be unhappy with the performance, head coach Greg Powers said his team played well in the blowout loss.
"I do not have a problem with how we played overall, minus the first 10 minutes in the second period," Powers said. "When you give a talented team like Michigan odd-man opportunities and two-on-ones, they're going to put it in the back of our net."
Powers emphasized how important special teams are against a team like Michigan. ASU gave up two short-handed goals and one power-play goal in the loss. But, the Sun Devils picked up the pieces in game two with a power-play goal by graduate defenseman Noah Beck to start the scoring in the third period.
"It was amazing," Beck said. "Obviously at home too with a great atmosphere. I was very excited and I think it showed a little bit but it was just nice to come out with that tie there and get the shoot out."
Beck skyrocketed to first in the NCAA in scoring after only four games played with his goal and assist on Potter's game-tying goal.
The storyline against Michigan might be their comeback to tie Michigan with Potter saying he threw "hoping for the best." However, the contest also saw former Sun Devil Tim Lovell return to Mullett Arena as a Wolverine.
The all-star defenseman was booed every time he touched the puck in game one without fail.
The booing appeared to have gotten to Lovell as he committed two penalties in the first game. Senior defenseman and captain Ethan Szmagaj said that the team ignored the crowds' jeers at Lovell.
"We don't pay attention to that," Szmagaj said. "He played here, he was a great guy, but we focus on winning and moving forward."
Lovell had two assists during the series and quarterbacked a Michigan powerplay that ended in a goal in game one. Freshman defenseman Sam Court stepped into the main defensive position for the Sun Devils' first powerplay unit to fill Lovell's empty spot.
Regardless of the crowd's reaction to Lovell's return, Powers was proud that his team bounced back in the second game to tie the Wolverines.
"Hell of a weekend, hell of a series," Powers said. "That's a really good team. We're going to get better from playing them. I'm really proud of our guys."
The Sun Devils' next home game is against Omaha on Nov. 15 at Mullett Arena.
Edited by Jack Barron, Sophia Ramirez and Madeline Schmitke.
Reach the reporter at Gbarberi@asu.edu and follow @Giobarberio1 on X.
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Giovanni is a sophomore studying history. This is his second semester with The State Press.
