Preview by Justin Gaither, Sun Devil Athletics' Intern
TEMPE, Ariz. – Coming off a historic weekend that saw the Arizona State men's hockey team (7-3-0) win its first game against a top-10 opponent, the Sun Devils face another formidable Big Ten opponent in Michigan State (4-2-0) Friday and Saturday night at Oceanside Ice Arena.
Both teams are on the brink of being ranked, as both are receiving votes in the USCHO top-20 poll this week. In the PairWise and RPI, the Sun Devils rank 7th while the Spartans sit at 9th. ASU is on the cusp of cracking the USCHO top-20 for the first time in program history after receiving the most votes of any unranked team.
"They are a really good team, all the Big-10 teams are very talented and very good. Danton (Cole) has done a really good job with that program in just little over a year -- he has it going in the right direction," said head coach Greg Powers. "They went on the road to easily one of the toughest places to play in college hockey in Cornell and swept them. So we are going to have to be more than ready. Their top line is one of the best in college hockey, so we are going to have to be very good.
"We told our guys it doesn't get any easier the rest of the season, it's going to continue to get harder and harder and teams are going to get better and we have to evolve if we want to get better every week."
After dropping the first game against then-No. 6 Penn State, the Sun Devils bounced back the following night to top the previously unbeaten Nittany Lions, 4-3, in overtime on Johnny Walker's 11th goal of the season.
"We have 26 guys and 21 on the bench that believe in what we are doing and really that's all that matters," said Walker. "That's what showed on Saturday night, we're tied 3-3 with the No. 6 team in the country on the road, you can't really ask for much more than that."
The team has been led offensively by the sophomore, who comfortably leads the NCAA in points and goals with 17 and 11, respectively.
A season ago, Walker finished second in goals scored among NCAA freshmen with the player who finished before him coming to Tempe this weekend -- Mitchell Lewandowski. The two share more than just two offensive threats, as they were line mates with the Chicago Steel of the USHL before embarking on their collegiate careers.
Lewandowski is off to another hot start, with 9 points (3 G, 6 A) through his first 6 games.
Outside of the Devils' returning standout, Powers has been able to rely on all four lines for offensive production. Third-line senior winger Dylan Hollman is riding a five-game goal streak and already has surpassed his previous season high goal total in his time at ASU with six on his current streak.
On the defensive side, the Sun Devils are off to an unprecedented start, allowing just 2.2 goals per game -- over a goal less per game than they averaged a year ago, which is good for 12th best in the nation.
Junior defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk has been a large reason as to why the defense has been so much stingier. The first-year captain has blocked nearly two shots per game while boasting a +6 rating which is tied for best on the team.
Even with improved play from the defensive core, not much can be said about its stinginess without mentioning junior goaltender Joey Daccord who leads the nation in both wins and saves to go along with his 2.11 GAA and .934 SV%.
Sparty Report
The Spartans are coming into Tempe, following a split weekend against the Ferris State Bulldogs. Much like the Sun Devils, they are also receiving votes in the USCHO.com Coaches poll.
The Spartans have also had much of their success in special teams. Their power play ranks second among teams with at least four games played and their penalty kill ranks 13th.
They rely on a few guys for the majority of their offense, most of whom are returners from a season ago.
Their leading scorer from a year ago, Taro Hirose, is off to a blazing start with 12 points (4 G, 8 A) already through just 6 games. He, along with Lewandowski, are two to watch on the weekend.
Limited tickets remain for the weekend series by calling the Sun Devil Ticket Office at 480-965-5812.
TEMPE, Ariz. – Coming off a historic weekend that saw the Arizona State men's hockey team (7-3-0) win its first game against a top-10 opponent, the Sun Devils face another formidable Big Ten opponent in Michigan State (4-2-0) Friday and Saturday night at Oceanside Ice Arena.
Both teams are on the brink of being ranked, as both are receiving votes in the USCHO top-20 poll this week. In the PairWise and RPI, the Sun Devils rank 7th while the Spartans sit at 9th. ASU is on the cusp of cracking the USCHO top-20 for the first time in program history after receiving the most votes of any unranked team.
"They are a really good team, all the Big-10 teams are very talented and very good. Danton (Cole) has done a really good job with that program in just little over a year -- he has it going in the right direction," said head coach Greg Powers. "They went on the road to easily one of the toughest places to play in college hockey in Cornell and swept them. So we are going to have to be more than ready. Their top line is one of the best in college hockey, so we are going to have to be very good.
"We told our guys it doesn't get any easier the rest of the season, it's going to continue to get harder and harder and teams are going to get better and we have to evolve if we want to get better every week."
After dropping the first game against then-No. 6 Penn State, the Sun Devils bounced back the following night to top the previously unbeaten Nittany Lions, 4-3, in overtime on Johnny Walker's 11th goal of the season.
"We have 26 guys and 21 on the bench that believe in what we are doing and really that's all that matters," said Walker. "That's what showed on Saturday night, we're tied 3-3 with the No. 6 team in the country on the road, you can't really ask for much more than that."
The team has been led offensively by the sophomore, who comfortably leads the NCAA in points and goals with 17 and 11, respectively.
A season ago, Walker finished second in goals scored among NCAA freshmen with the player who finished before him coming to Tempe this weekend -- Mitchell Lewandowski. The two share more than just two offensive threats, as they were line mates with the Chicago Steel of the USHL before embarking on their collegiate careers.
Lewandowski is off to another hot start, with 9 points (3 G, 6 A) through his first 6 games.
Outside of the Devils' returning standout, Powers has been able to rely on all four lines for offensive production. Third-line senior winger Dylan Hollman is riding a five-game goal streak and already has surpassed his previous season high goal total in his time at ASU with six on his current streak.
On the defensive side, the Sun Devils are off to an unprecedented start, allowing just 2.2 goals per game -- over a goal less per game than they averaged a year ago, which is good for 12th best in the nation.
Junior defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk has been a large reason as to why the defense has been so much stingier. The first-year captain has blocked nearly two shots per game while boasting a +6 rating which is tied for best on the team.
Even with improved play from the defensive core, not much can be said about its stinginess without mentioning junior goaltender Joey Daccord who leads the nation in both wins and saves to go along with his 2.11 GAA and .934 SV%.
Sparty Report
The Spartans are coming into Tempe, following a split weekend against the Ferris State Bulldogs. Much like the Sun Devils, they are also receiving votes in the USCHO.com Coaches poll.
The Spartans have also had much of their success in special teams. Their power play ranks second among teams with at least four games played and their penalty kill ranks 13th.
They rely on a few guys for the majority of their offense, most of whom are returners from a season ago.
Their leading scorer from a year ago, Taro Hirose, is off to a blazing start with 12 points (4 G, 8 A) already through just 6 games. He, along with Lewandowski, are two to watch on the weekend.
Limited tickets remain for the weekend series by calling the Sun Devil Ticket Office at 480-965-5812.