Omaha, Neb. – A week ago, Arizona State (10-4-0) proved that they deserved to be ranked among the best in the nation with an extremely hard-fought split against the formidable Harvard Crimson (2-3-2).
This weekend, the Devils will hit the road once again to take on the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (2-7-1) for the second time.
At a Glance
When these two teams met just under a month ago, they went head-to-head in Tempe at Oceanside Ice Arena where the Devils came out with two wins by a combined score of 13-5.
This time, they meet in Omaha with the Mavericks playing some of their best hockey of the season, yet another challenge for head coach Greg Powers' resilient group.
"We're at the point now at 10-4, we're ranked and we're not going to sneak up on anybody," said Powers. "Teams are going to be ready for us and especially this team this weekend."
The team has continued to click on all cylinders this season as they boast the 13th best offense and 16th best defense which combine for the 7th best goal margin in the nation.
A lot of the team's success lends itself to the special teams units, which can only be described as dominant. The power play has worked its way up to 20th after a somewhat slow start to the season, while the penalty kill is second, just 0.2% behind the nation's top unit.
The ever-stingy penalty kill will be tested this weekend as they face the 13th ranked power play in Omaha. The Mavericks went 1/3 with the man advantage when they visited Tempe, a small sample size but one that still shows their competence on the power play.
Junior net minder Joey Daccord has been the best penalty killer all year, and should once again be tested.
Offense should be another focus for the Devils, facing an Omaha side which has struggled defensively.
After a weekend which was quiet by his standards, sophomore forward Johnny Walker still ranks second in the country in points and leads in goals. He will be pivotal in the team's success on the offensive side of things, but the Devils have shown that they can still win without #7 time and time again.
Unsung heroes
Seniors Dylan Hollman and Anthony Croston are both off to great starts as we near the halfway mark of the season. Both are top-five in points on the team with Croston having 10 (3 G, 7 A) and Hollman right behind him at 9 (7 G, 2 A).
For Hollman, this puts him already two points higher than where he finished last season, and it leaves Croston just five points off pace.
The two have also contributed on the defensive end, being some of the top forwards on the penalty kill that ranks second in the nation.
Familiar Foes
After this weekend, ASU will have faced Omaha eight times, the most of any team. Winless against the Mavericks in their first four attempts, the Devils look to move to 4-3-1 all time.
The Mavericks have struggled to generate offense thus far, but what offense they have created has come from forwards Fredrick Olofsson and Zach Jordan who lead the team with 11 (3 G, 8 A) and 10 (4 G, 6 A) points respectively.
Goaltending has been another issue for Omaha, allowing nearly five goals per game on the season, allowing more than five three times already through 10 games.
After the series in Tempe in October, the Mavericks will have revenge on their mind as they will look to host ASU, who is not only ranked 16th in the USCHO.com coaches poll, but finds itself 6th in the PairWise and 7th in the RPI.
The Devils have won 8 of their last 10 and will look to continue that trend this weekend in Omaha.
This weekend, the Devils will hit the road once again to take on the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (2-7-1) for the second time.
At a Glance
When these two teams met just under a month ago, they went head-to-head in Tempe at Oceanside Ice Arena where the Devils came out with two wins by a combined score of 13-5.
This time, they meet in Omaha with the Mavericks playing some of their best hockey of the season, yet another challenge for head coach Greg Powers' resilient group.
"We're at the point now at 10-4, we're ranked and we're not going to sneak up on anybody," said Powers. "Teams are going to be ready for us and especially this team this weekend."
The team has continued to click on all cylinders this season as they boast the 13th best offense and 16th best defense which combine for the 7th best goal margin in the nation.
A lot of the team's success lends itself to the special teams units, which can only be described as dominant. The power play has worked its way up to 20th after a somewhat slow start to the season, while the penalty kill is second, just 0.2% behind the nation's top unit.
The ever-stingy penalty kill will be tested this weekend as they face the 13th ranked power play in Omaha. The Mavericks went 1/3 with the man advantage when they visited Tempe, a small sample size but one that still shows their competence on the power play.
Junior net minder Joey Daccord has been the best penalty killer all year, and should once again be tested.
Offense should be another focus for the Devils, facing an Omaha side which has struggled defensively.
After a weekend which was quiet by his standards, sophomore forward Johnny Walker still ranks second in the country in points and leads in goals. He will be pivotal in the team's success on the offensive side of things, but the Devils have shown that they can still win without #7 time and time again.
Unsung heroes
Seniors Dylan Hollman and Anthony Croston are both off to great starts as we near the halfway mark of the season. Both are top-five in points on the team with Croston having 10 (3 G, 7 A) and Hollman right behind him at 9 (7 G, 2 A).
For Hollman, this puts him already two points higher than where he finished last season, and it leaves Croston just five points off pace.
The two have also contributed on the defensive end, being some of the top forwards on the penalty kill that ranks second in the nation.
Familiar Foes
After this weekend, ASU will have faced Omaha eight times, the most of any team. Winless against the Mavericks in their first four attempts, the Devils look to move to 4-3-1 all time.
The Mavericks have struggled to generate offense thus far, but what offense they have created has come from forwards Fredrick Olofsson and Zach Jordan who lead the team with 11 (3 G, 8 A) and 10 (4 G, 6 A) points respectively.
Goaltending has been another issue for Omaha, allowing nearly five goals per game on the season, allowing more than five three times already through 10 games.
After the series in Tempe in October, the Mavericks will have revenge on their mind as they will look to host ASU, who is not only ranked 16th in the USCHO.com coaches poll, but finds itself 6th in the PairWise and 7th in the RPI.
The Devils have won 8 of their last 10 and will look to continue that trend this weekend in Omaha.