Arizona State’s playoff run stopped in the 4-2 NCHC semifinals – Hockey Writer – College Hockey

At the beginning of the season, the Arizona Sun Devil was ranked eighth in the NCHC by the media and experts. It turns out that this poll is the right path after ASU started the season 3-7-1 and in an early loophole where they have to get out of it.

They did get rid of the self-created holes and ranked second in the NCHC, hosting Minnesota’s Duluth in the home playoffs. Despite many positive views, the Denver Pioneers beat ASU 4-2 in the fifth session of the season.

Related: Arizona State University, Duluth, Minnesota; NCHC semifinal progress

“It’s a tough game and obviously can go,” said head coach Greg Powers. “We dug a hole, but we’ve been a resilient group all year long.

The game provided everything for the power and the Sun Devils in the second phase, but eventually they fell.

24/7 Impact of Artem Shlaine

Talking to graduate senior Artem Shlaine this season is definitely a treat. He is one of the best players you talk to. He is very insightful and has a sense of humor.

On the ice, the 23-year-old has been enjoying the rise of his senior year, scoring 17 goals and 38 points in 31 games. Despite his injury in the first part of the season, he immediately had an impact once he entered the roster.

Shlaine scored his second goal against the Pioneers to tie the game up, and ASU was still out, but throughout the season he was in the right position at the right time.

“You come in, turn in a year, and all the boys, the staff will take you in. It’s a special year, a special run that will definitely be remembered as the first team in the NCHC,” Shlaine said. “It’s incredible how they brought us here and I think I would recommend this place to anyone.”

It is not easy to replace players and people like the always-high energy Shlaine to win. Players like Shlaine don’t come often at all.

We will see how ASU makes its roster for the next season, but for sure: they will be looking for Shlaine in the transfer portal.

Denver ends up just overwhelming ASU

Denver seemed to get better throughout the game, with the scoreboard showing they were 2-0 ahead at the end of the first phase. ASU climbed back with 30 seconds left in the second stage, but multiple turnovers and defensive defeats resulted in Denver scoring 2 in the third stage, ending the fifth game against ASU this season.

“How we dug out our own chances from the third inning, there are some good opportunities there. Obviously, their goalkeepers made some big savings, they did have a chance to score and credit them in the third inning. They buried the game and found a way to win, they were a great team and a great plan,” Powers said. “We have a lot of respect for them and are proud of our team; we will never be proud again.”

As ASU defeated the University of Colorado defending champions 9-2 in the quarterfinals of last weekend earlier this season, you can tell from the start that they are eager to return to ASU.

With so many talented teams throughout the roster, ASU knew what kind of team they were facing but couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities they got, so he lost 4-2.

Say goodbye to the elderly

During the Powers opening meeting, he kept repeating the heavy desire of being an older team and veteran. He wanted to attract players familiar with the conference, who have gotten a lot this season with seniors.

Now, the seniors on the list are Luke Pavicich, Noah Beck, Ty Murchison, Artem Shlaine, Benji Eckerle, Benji Eckerle and Dylan Jackson, Ethan Szmagaj, Lukas Sillinger and Ryan Kirwan.

All 10 players have played a big role in ASU this season, not only on the ice, but also culturally. As mentioned earlier, Shlaine mentioned that it is not easy to replace some of them.

Take Kilwan as an example. You are unlikely to find a scorer with 26 goals on the portal, nor can you bring a freshman to the first year. We will see how the next wave of youth fills these players, but their influence, especially in the first season of the NCHC, can be obvious.

ASU has eyes in the 2025-26 season

This will end the 2024-25 Maroon and Golden Season due to the loss. The only chance they made a freeze four in April was to win the NCHC and win the automatic bid, but as mentioned, they were under-falling. While this will sting in the desert for a while, the resonance next season will not be higher.