KALAMAZOO, Mich. – For the final time this season, the men's ice hockey team will play an NCAA opponent, as they encounter another top-10 opponent in No. 9 Western Michigan on Friday and Saturday night at the Lawson Ice Arena. Following this series, the Devils (10-18-2) wrap up the final month of the season with four exhibition games.
For the 12th time this year – and seventh time on the road -- ASU is squared up with a ranked opponent, as the Broncos (14-7-3 currently rank fourth in the Pairwise Rankings and third in the NCHC.
"Western Michigan is an incredibly talented team with a very good coaching staff," said head coach Greg Powers. "They've had a huge turnaround this season and are playing good hockey, so we know we have to be at our very best to compete this weekend."
BREAKING DOWN THE BRONCOS
Entering this weekend, Western Michigan ranks 30th in goals scored this season with 77 and an average of 3.21 goals per game.
Where the Broncos thrive is on the man advantage, as they boast the 8th-best power play in the country at 21.9%. On the other side, Western Michigan ranks 32nd on the penalty kill at 83.2%.
They're led by sophomore forward Matheson Iacopelli, who paces the team in goals (15) and points (22).
In the crease, WMU's Ben Blacker has started each game since coming in relief on Dec. 9 against North Dakota. Since then, he's boasted a 7-2 record with three shutouts.
DECODING THE DEVILS
The Devils, meanwhile, have climbed the ladder in goals scored with 87, which ranks 12th overall. Their offense is humming to a tune of 2.90 goals per game average so far this season.
After being held off the scoresheet last Friday against Quinnipiac, sophomore forward Anthony Croston picked up where he left off in the SNHU series with two goals in the first 21 minutes of the game on Saturday. Over the last four games, the assistant captain has tallied seven points (6g, 1a) for just under a point-per-game average. In 2015-16, CROSTON totaled just seven points (2g, 5a) all season.
On the blue line, freshman defenseman Jakob Stridsberg has also been on a tear over the last five games with three goals and three assists. The Swedish rookie recorded a goal and an assist in the upset victory over the Bobcats.
Between the pipes, freshman Joey Daccord recorded one of his best starts in his early collegiate career. The 2015 Ottawa Senator draft pick made 53 saves for his second win over a ranked opponent this season, with the other being against then-No. 18 Air Force on Oct. 16.
BRO'S & FRENEMIES
While the Devils boast a pair of brothers on the team this season, this weekend will feature a battle of the brothers, as big brother Liam McGing takes on his younger brother Hugh McGing of the Broncos.
Back in 2014-15, Liam played with two of Hugh's new teammates -- Corey Schueneman and Matt Iacopelli -- with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. ASU forward Jack Rowe was also on that roster, while also sharing ice time with Iacopelli in Muskegon in 2013-14.
Freshman forward Brett Gruber clashes with former Green Bay Gamblers' teammates Luke Bafia and Ben Blacker of Western Michigan.
In 2013-14, d-man Ed McGovern and Broncos' forward Griffen Molino played together for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL
With the Nanaimo Clippers in 2014-15, defensemen Nicholas Gushue and Kale Bennett were sharing the blue line for a season in the BCHL.
SIZING OURSELVES UP
Four years ago, in their first NCAA Division I season, current-No. 6 Penn State won a total of seven regular season games, finishing 7-25-2.
That season, the Nittany Lions played six ranked teams in year one and captured two wins against then-No. 10 Michigan during that season, including an extra in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
The Sun Devils have eclipsed that regular season win total from that year, while currently holding two ranked victories so far this season -- not including the shootout victory over then-No. 10 Ohio State. ASU has also now played 12 ranked teams after this weekend with Western Michigan.
WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN
Both games this weekend against the Broncos will be streamed live on NCHC.tv, while the radio stream will be via Z96.5 here. Live stats can also be followed on your computer, laptop or iPhone/tablet here.
For the 12th time this year – and seventh time on the road -- ASU is squared up with a ranked opponent, as the Broncos (14-7-3 currently rank fourth in the Pairwise Rankings and third in the NCHC.
"Western Michigan is an incredibly talented team with a very good coaching staff," said head coach Greg Powers. "They've had a huge turnaround this season and are playing good hockey, so we know we have to be at our very best to compete this weekend."
BREAKING DOWN THE BRONCOS
Entering this weekend, Western Michigan ranks 30th in goals scored this season with 77 and an average of 3.21 goals per game.
Where the Broncos thrive is on the man advantage, as they boast the 8th-best power play in the country at 21.9%. On the other side, Western Michigan ranks 32nd on the penalty kill at 83.2%.
They're led by sophomore forward Matheson Iacopelli, who paces the team in goals (15) and points (22).
In the crease, WMU's Ben Blacker has started each game since coming in relief on Dec. 9 against North Dakota. Since then, he's boasted a 7-2 record with three shutouts.
DECODING THE DEVILS
The Devils, meanwhile, have climbed the ladder in goals scored with 87, which ranks 12th overall. Their offense is humming to a tune of 2.90 goals per game average so far this season.
After being held off the scoresheet last Friday against Quinnipiac, sophomore forward Anthony Croston picked up where he left off in the SNHU series with two goals in the first 21 minutes of the game on Saturday. Over the last four games, the assistant captain has tallied seven points (6g, 1a) for just under a point-per-game average. In 2015-16, CROSTON totaled just seven points (2g, 5a) all season.
On the blue line, freshman defenseman Jakob Stridsberg has also been on a tear over the last five games with three goals and three assists. The Swedish rookie recorded a goal and an assist in the upset victory over the Bobcats.
Between the pipes, freshman Joey Daccord recorded one of his best starts in his early collegiate career. The 2015 Ottawa Senator draft pick made 53 saves for his second win over a ranked opponent this season, with the other being against then-No. 18 Air Force on Oct. 16.
BRO'S & FRENEMIES
While the Devils boast a pair of brothers on the team this season, this weekend will feature a battle of the brothers, as big brother Liam McGing takes on his younger brother Hugh McGing of the Broncos.
Back in 2014-15, Liam played with two of Hugh's new teammates -- Corey Schueneman and Matt Iacopelli -- with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. ASU forward Jack Rowe was also on that roster, while also sharing ice time with Iacopelli in Muskegon in 2013-14.
Freshman forward Brett Gruber clashes with former Green Bay Gamblers' teammates Luke Bafia and Ben Blacker of Western Michigan.
In 2013-14, d-man Ed McGovern and Broncos' forward Griffen Molino played together for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL
With the Nanaimo Clippers in 2014-15, defensemen Nicholas Gushue and Kale Bennett were sharing the blue line for a season in the BCHL.
SIZING OURSELVES UP
Four years ago, in their first NCAA Division I season, current-No. 6 Penn State won a total of seven regular season games, finishing 7-25-2.
That season, the Nittany Lions played six ranked teams in year one and captured two wins against then-No. 10 Michigan during that season, including an extra in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
The Sun Devils have eclipsed that regular season win total from that year, while currently holding two ranked victories so far this season -- not including the shootout victory over then-No. 10 Ohio State. ASU has also now played 12 ranked teams after this weekend with Western Michigan.
WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN
Both games this weekend against the Broncos will be streamed live on NCHC.tv, while the radio stream will be via Z96.5 here. Live stats can also be followed on your computer, laptop or iPhone/tablet here.