COLUMBUS, Ohio – For the 10th time this season, Sun Devil hockey will start a series with a ranked opponent, as ASU meets Ohio State on the ice for the first time in program history. Game two on Saturday will be on national television, as ESPNU will carry the 12 p.m. MST puck drop with Kevin Brown and Sean Ritchlin on the call.
The No. 10 Buckeyes (10-4-4) are off to one of their best starts since 2011-12, while the Devils aim to get back to the hockey they were playing to end 2016.
"We know how good Ohio State is, but in fairness to our guys, with the schedule we have faced, we have really seen it all," said head coach Greg Powers. "Ohio State is having a tremendous year and we are looking forward to playing them this weekend."
The weekend's match-up becomes the Devils' fifth series against a team currently ranked in the top-10 of the USCHO poll, joining No. 1 Denver, No. 2 Harvard, No. 4 Penn State and No. 8 Boston College.
Breaking Down the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes rank No. 3 in goals scored per game with 4.22, while scoring the sixth-most total goals in the country.
That offense comes from their top-three scorers, all of which are above the 20-point threshold so far this season. Senior forward Nick Schilkey leads the squad with 15 goals this season and eight helpers. Philadelphia Flyer-draftee Tanner Laczysnki is on Schilkey's heels with 22 points behind six goals and a team-best 16 assists.
Schilkey ranks 23rd in the country in points, while tied for 3rd in goals scored.
Senior netminder Christian Frey has started the last four games, finishing 2-2 with a 46-save shutout of then-No. 2 Penn State on Friday, Jan. 6.
Since the start of December, the Buckeyes haven't played their greatest hockey of the season, going 2-3 and averaging 3.60 goals against per game.
Delve Into the Devils
After quite a December offensively – averaging four goals per game -- the Devils ran into the buzz saw of Denver with just two goals in two games.
While it wasn't the mirror image of the previous month, the power play executed on 50 percent of their chances with arguably one of the best series of the year.
Despite the goals against, sophomore Ryland Pashovitz played one of the best games of his season, making a total of 70 saves on 78 shots faced. The score could have been much worse if it wasn't for two breakaway robberies by Pashovitz, including a big glove save in the second period of game two.
The series against the Pioneers saw several line shake-ups, including redshirt sophomore Louie Rowe joining the top line with graduate senior Robbie Baillargeon and redshirt junior Wade Murphy. That led to splitting up the line of captains, which featured Dylan Hollman and Anthony Croston.
National Stage
For the first time in program history, Sun Devil hockey will be featured live on the worldwide leader in sports, as Saturday's matinee match-up will be on ESPNU at 2 p.m. EST/12 p.m. MST.
ESPN's Kevin Brown and Sean Ritchlin will be on the call. You can also watch live on the WatchESPN app on your smart phone and tablet.
The No. 10 Buckeyes (10-4-4) are off to one of their best starts since 2011-12, while the Devils aim to get back to the hockey they were playing to end 2016.
"We know how good Ohio State is, but in fairness to our guys, with the schedule we have faced, we have really seen it all," said head coach Greg Powers. "Ohio State is having a tremendous year and we are looking forward to playing them this weekend."
The weekend's match-up becomes the Devils' fifth series against a team currently ranked in the top-10 of the USCHO poll, joining No. 1 Denver, No. 2 Harvard, No. 4 Penn State and No. 8 Boston College.
Breaking Down the Buckeyes
The Buckeyes rank No. 3 in goals scored per game with 4.22, while scoring the sixth-most total goals in the country.
That offense comes from their top-three scorers, all of which are above the 20-point threshold so far this season. Senior forward Nick Schilkey leads the squad with 15 goals this season and eight helpers. Philadelphia Flyer-draftee Tanner Laczysnki is on Schilkey's heels with 22 points behind six goals and a team-best 16 assists.
Schilkey ranks 23rd in the country in points, while tied for 3rd in goals scored.
Senior netminder Christian Frey has started the last four games, finishing 2-2 with a 46-save shutout of then-No. 2 Penn State on Friday, Jan. 6.
Since the start of December, the Buckeyes haven't played their greatest hockey of the season, going 2-3 and averaging 3.60 goals against per game.
Delve Into the Devils
After quite a December offensively – averaging four goals per game -- the Devils ran into the buzz saw of Denver with just two goals in two games.
While it wasn't the mirror image of the previous month, the power play executed on 50 percent of their chances with arguably one of the best series of the year.
Despite the goals against, sophomore Ryland Pashovitz played one of the best games of his season, making a total of 70 saves on 78 shots faced. The score could have been much worse if it wasn't for two breakaway robberies by Pashovitz, including a big glove save in the second period of game two.
The series against the Pioneers saw several line shake-ups, including redshirt sophomore Louie Rowe joining the top line with graduate senior Robbie Baillargeon and redshirt junior Wade Murphy. That led to splitting up the line of captains, which featured Dylan Hollman and Anthony Croston.
National Stage
For the first time in program history, Sun Devil hockey will be featured live on the worldwide leader in sports, as Saturday's matinee match-up will be on ESPNU at 2 p.m. EST/12 p.m. MST.
ESPN's Kevin Brown and Sean Ritchlin will be on the call. You can also watch live on the WatchESPN app on your smart phone and tablet.