TEMPE, Ariz. – The new kids on the block host the most decorated program in college hockey this Friday, as Sun Devil Hockey drops the puck with No. 17 Michigan at 7:05 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network. The Sun Devils (1-7-0) aim to end their four-game skid in one of the biggest match-ups in program history, and in front of what they expect to be a packed house at Gila River Arena.
"It is an incredible honor to host such a successful long standing program such as Michigan this early in our program stages," said head coach Greg Powers. "We are very grateful to them for traveling out to us and looking forward to the match-up in what should be a great atmosphere for Valley hockey fans to get exposed to some great college hockey."
Like the Devils, the Wolverines (3-3-1) are also coming off a weekend sweep, as they dropped road matches with No. 19 Vermont and Dartmouth. Michigan started the season 3-1-0 with victories over No. 20 Union, Ferris State and Michigan Tech.
They're currently led by returning defenseman Sam Piazza and two new faces in freshmen Will Lockwood and Jake Slaker. All three have tallied three goals and three assists to pace Michigan in scoring through seven games. Lockwood is one of eight NHL draft picks on the Wolverines roster.
In 2015-16, Michigan finished 25-8-5 in the 32nd season under head coach Gordon "Red" Berenson, who earned the 2016 Big Ten Coach of the Year. The Wolverines clinched the program's first Big Ten Tournament title by defeating Minnesota in the final. They would end up falling in the NCAA Tournament to eventual National Champion North Dakota in the Midwest Regional Final. Berenson brought Michigan their eighth and ninth National Championships in 1996 and 1998, and his 835-407-89 all-time record rank him as one of the best in the history of college hockey. He led the program to 22-straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1991-2012, the longest streak in college hockey history.
Through eight games, the Sun Devils are led by graduate transfer Robbie Baillargeon, who has tallied six goals and one assist in six appearances – he did not suit up for the first two games against Notre Dame due to a delay in the transfer process. Baillargeon also has two multi-goal performances in his last four games.
Redshirt sophomore captain Dylan Hollman paces the team in assists with five, along with a goal through eight games.
"Our guys are playing extremely hard against all top-20 programs in our first full year," said Powers. "They are learning what it takes to compete at the highest level of college hockey and getting better every day."
It was just over two weeks ago that the Devils made program history with their first victory over a ranked opponent – then-No. 18 Air Force -- and first win over an NCAA Division I opponent at home. In that game, Powers drew it up to success in all aspects and from all positions.
"To beat Michigan, we will need a tremendous overall effort from the net out and will absolutely have to win the special teams battle," he said. "If our guys play disciplined and stay out of the box, we believe we can play with anyone."
Friday's match-up is free to students with a complimentary bus from Tempe to Glendale. Sign up to ride the bus here.
Tickets still remain, but on a limited basis on Ticketmaster.com.
"It is an incredible honor to host such a successful long standing program such as Michigan this early in our program stages," said head coach Greg Powers. "We are very grateful to them for traveling out to us and looking forward to the match-up in what should be a great atmosphere for Valley hockey fans to get exposed to some great college hockey."
Like the Devils, the Wolverines (3-3-1) are also coming off a weekend sweep, as they dropped road matches with No. 19 Vermont and Dartmouth. Michigan started the season 3-1-0 with victories over No. 20 Union, Ferris State and Michigan Tech.
They're currently led by returning defenseman Sam Piazza and two new faces in freshmen Will Lockwood and Jake Slaker. All three have tallied three goals and three assists to pace Michigan in scoring through seven games. Lockwood is one of eight NHL draft picks on the Wolverines roster.
In 2015-16, Michigan finished 25-8-5 in the 32nd season under head coach Gordon "Red" Berenson, who earned the 2016 Big Ten Coach of the Year. The Wolverines clinched the program's first Big Ten Tournament title by defeating Minnesota in the final. They would end up falling in the NCAA Tournament to eventual National Champion North Dakota in the Midwest Regional Final. Berenson brought Michigan their eighth and ninth National Championships in 1996 and 1998, and his 835-407-89 all-time record rank him as one of the best in the history of college hockey. He led the program to 22-straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1991-2012, the longest streak in college hockey history.
Through eight games, the Sun Devils are led by graduate transfer Robbie Baillargeon, who has tallied six goals and one assist in six appearances – he did not suit up for the first two games against Notre Dame due to a delay in the transfer process. Baillargeon also has two multi-goal performances in his last four games.
Redshirt sophomore captain Dylan Hollman paces the team in assists with five, along with a goal through eight games.
"Our guys are playing extremely hard against all top-20 programs in our first full year," said Powers. "They are learning what it takes to compete at the highest level of college hockey and getting better every day."
It was just over two weeks ago that the Devils made program history with their first victory over a ranked opponent – then-No. 18 Air Force -- and first win over an NCAA Division I opponent at home. In that game, Powers drew it up to success in all aspects and from all positions.
"To beat Michigan, we will need a tremendous overall effort from the net out and will absolutely have to win the special teams battle," he said. "If our guys play disciplined and stay out of the box, we believe we can play with anyone."
Friday's match-up is free to students with a complimentary bus from Tempe to Glendale. Sign up to ride the bus here.
Tickets still remain, but on a limited basis on Ticketmaster.com.