PLYMOUTH, Mich. – For the final time in their first full NCAA schedule, the Sun Devil hockey team will take the ice for a two-game, exhibition series with the U.S. National Under-18 Team at USA Hockey Arena.
While these two games don't count towards the Devils' record or stats, the Devils are treating this weekend as any other series and an opportunity to put an exclamation point behind this historical season.
"I want to see the same effort we have over the last month," said head coach Greg Powers. "We have found an identity that we are a tough team to play against when we play the way we need to. We will need to execute playing that way this weekend because of how incredibly skilled and talented this team is."
ASU rolls into their final series playing their best hockey of the season, capturing a tie – and double-overtime winner – against then-No. 9 Western Michigan followed by a two-game sweep over Simon Fraser University of Canada.
The month of January was capped off by an upset of then-No. 17 Quinnipiac for the program's biggest victory to date.
This season, the Devils compiled 10 NCAA victories, which doubles their total from their inaugural season. It's also three more than Penn State, who is currently ranked No. 11 in the country, recorded during their first full NCAA season. The 10 victories is also the most in a first NCAA Division I season since Mercyhurst's 23 wins after moving up from Division II in 2000.
These two teams met just a year ago at this time, with Team USA capturing the series with a victory and a tie. Game one went into a shootout before BU's Clayton Keller scored the only goal in the three-round shootout. The Devils lost game two, 5-2.
Dissecting the Devils
Sophomore forward and assistant captain Anthony Croston is a big part of that success, as he's netted nine goals and two assists in his last eight appearances. The Phoenix-native finished the NCAA season pacing the team in goals scored with 10 and tied for the lead in points with 21. This all after a season in which he totaled just seven points behind just two goals.
The Devils will be without top-line winger Wade Murphy, who signed a professional contract with the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
In the crease, senior Robert Levin started both games for ASU against Simon Fraser, allowing three goals in the two victories. Prior to those two starts, freshman Joey Daccord started the previous three games – all ranked match-ups -- going 1-1-1 with 138 saves.
Can't Spell USA Without ASU
Team USA is led by forwards Josh Norris – a University of Michigan commit – and Grant Mismash – a University of North Dakota commit. Norris has 39 points in 42 games, while Mismash is the only player with over 20 goals in 45 games.
Between the pipes, Dylan St. Cyr has started 30 of their 45 games this season, posting a .895 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average.
Where to Watch
Both games will be streamed live via HockeyTV.com which does require a subscription.
While these two games don't count towards the Devils' record or stats, the Devils are treating this weekend as any other series and an opportunity to put an exclamation point behind this historical season.
"I want to see the same effort we have over the last month," said head coach Greg Powers. "We have found an identity that we are a tough team to play against when we play the way we need to. We will need to execute playing that way this weekend because of how incredibly skilled and talented this team is."
ASU rolls into their final series playing their best hockey of the season, capturing a tie – and double-overtime winner – against then-No. 9 Western Michigan followed by a two-game sweep over Simon Fraser University of Canada.
The month of January was capped off by an upset of then-No. 17 Quinnipiac for the program's biggest victory to date.
This season, the Devils compiled 10 NCAA victories, which doubles their total from their inaugural season. It's also three more than Penn State, who is currently ranked No. 11 in the country, recorded during their first full NCAA season. The 10 victories is also the most in a first NCAA Division I season since Mercyhurst's 23 wins after moving up from Division II in 2000.
These two teams met just a year ago at this time, with Team USA capturing the series with a victory and a tie. Game one went into a shootout before BU's Clayton Keller scored the only goal in the three-round shootout. The Devils lost game two, 5-2.
Dissecting the Devils
Sophomore forward and assistant captain Anthony Croston is a big part of that success, as he's netted nine goals and two assists in his last eight appearances. The Phoenix-native finished the NCAA season pacing the team in goals scored with 10 and tied for the lead in points with 21. This all after a season in which he totaled just seven points behind just two goals.
The Devils will be without top-line winger Wade Murphy, who signed a professional contract with the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
In the crease, senior Robert Levin started both games for ASU against Simon Fraser, allowing three goals in the two victories. Prior to those two starts, freshman Joey Daccord started the previous three games – all ranked match-ups -- going 1-1-1 with 138 saves.
Can't Spell USA Without ASU
Team USA is led by forwards Josh Norris – a University of Michigan commit – and Grant Mismash – a University of North Dakota commit. Norris has 39 points in 42 games, while Mismash is the only player with over 20 goals in 45 games.
Between the pipes, Dylan St. Cyr has started 30 of their 45 games this season, posting a .895 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average.
Where to Watch
Both games will be streamed live via HockeyTV.com which does require a subscription.