TEMPE, Ariz. – When the Sun Devils (4-2-0) last met up with the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (0-3-1) a year ago, ASU left town with a 5-1 loss and a 4-3 shootout win (credited with a tie).
Coming off a sweep on their first road series of the season in Huntsville, head coach Greg Powers' squad is not lacking confidence returning home to Oceanside Ice Arena.
"Winning on the road isn't easy in college hockey no matter the opponent, so picking up two victories last weekend put us back on track but we have a big home series ahead," said head coach Greg Powers. "Omaha is going to be hungry for a win after last weekend, so we'll have to play our game and we'll see what happens."
Still off to the program's best start, the Sun Devils added to the history they've already made this season on Monday when they received their first vote in the USCHO coaches poll.
A team that allowed 3.62 goals per game last season, the Sun Devils have been far stingier on the defensive end this season, allowing just 8 goals in the first 6 games (including two shutouts) -- good for the fourth-best mark in the nation at 1.33 per game.
The offense hasn't lacked either, scoring 17 goals which is good for just shy of three goals per game, placing them in the middle of the pack offensively.
All of those impressive numbers aside, there is one aspect of the team that stands out despite the negative it stems from -- the penalty kill.
While ASU leads the country in penalties, their penalty kill is negating any ramifications by killing 30 of 32 penalties including 20 straight. At 93.8% for the year, the PK ranks first among teams who have played at least six games, while killing the most penalties in the country with just two goals allowed.
Led by the most important penalty killer, junior goalie Joey Daccord, the Sun Devils will look to keep the Mavericks' sixth-best power play in the country off the board.
Offensively, the Sun Devils are paced by sophomore forward Johnny Walker. The Phoenix-native has the third most points in the country with eight (4G, 4A) coming off a three-assist road trip. He also has the second-most goals in the country with four -- just one out of first.
After suffering the loss of their top-two scorers from a year ago to the NHL draft, Omaha will be led by junior forward Zach Jordan. The one-time teammate of ASU forward Louie Rowe, Jordan finished third on the team in points a year ago and already has 4 points (2G, 2A) on the young season.
It will likely fall to ASU's top D-pair, junior Brinson Pasichnuk and freshman Josh Maniscalco to bottle up the Maverick's top offensive threats.
Both Friday and Saturday's games will be at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe with puck drop set for 7:05 MST.
Limited tickets remain for this weekend at www.thesundevils.com or by calling the Sun Devil ticket office at (480) 727-0000.
Coming off a sweep on their first road series of the season in Huntsville, head coach Greg Powers' squad is not lacking confidence returning home to Oceanside Ice Arena.
"Winning on the road isn't easy in college hockey no matter the opponent, so picking up two victories last weekend put us back on track but we have a big home series ahead," said head coach Greg Powers. "Omaha is going to be hungry for a win after last weekend, so we'll have to play our game and we'll see what happens."
Still off to the program's best start, the Sun Devils added to the history they've already made this season on Monday when they received their first vote in the USCHO coaches poll.
A team that allowed 3.62 goals per game last season, the Sun Devils have been far stingier on the defensive end this season, allowing just 8 goals in the first 6 games (including two shutouts) -- good for the fourth-best mark in the nation at 1.33 per game.
The offense hasn't lacked either, scoring 17 goals which is good for just shy of three goals per game, placing them in the middle of the pack offensively.
All of those impressive numbers aside, there is one aspect of the team that stands out despite the negative it stems from -- the penalty kill.
While ASU leads the country in penalties, their penalty kill is negating any ramifications by killing 30 of 32 penalties including 20 straight. At 93.8% for the year, the PK ranks first among teams who have played at least six games, while killing the most penalties in the country with just two goals allowed.
Led by the most important penalty killer, junior goalie Joey Daccord, the Sun Devils will look to keep the Mavericks' sixth-best power play in the country off the board.
Offensively, the Sun Devils are paced by sophomore forward Johnny Walker. The Phoenix-native has the third most points in the country with eight (4G, 4A) coming off a three-assist road trip. He also has the second-most goals in the country with four -- just one out of first.
After suffering the loss of their top-two scorers from a year ago to the NHL draft, Omaha will be led by junior forward Zach Jordan. The one-time teammate of ASU forward Louie Rowe, Jordan finished third on the team in points a year ago and already has 4 points (2G, 2A) on the young season.
It will likely fall to ASU's top D-pair, junior Brinson Pasichnuk and freshman Josh Maniscalco to bottle up the Maverick's top offensive threats.
Both Friday and Saturday's games will be at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe with puck drop set for 7:05 MST.
Limited tickets remain for this weekend at www.thesundevils.com or by calling the Sun Devil ticket office at (480) 727-0000.