MANKATO, Minn. -- Coming off a weekend split, the Sun Devil men's hockey team hits the road for the first time to Mankato, Minnesota to take on No. 3 Minnesota State at the Mankato Civic Center.
It will be the second ever meeting between the two programs, as the Sun Devils and Mavericks tied 2-2 in the consolation game of last year's Desert Hockey Classic in Glendale.
"They are a really good team, one of the top teams in the country and they always are," said head coach Greg Powers. "This year might be one of the strongest teams they have ever had and they are that good. They returned 97% of their scoring, they returned their starting goalie who was tremendous for them last year as a freshman. They have a great coach and a great program and we're excited to go up and get some really good experience up there."
Sun Devil Rewind
The Sun Devils started off their 2019-20 campaign with a split series against Mercyhurst last weekend. In the final 2:30 of Saturday's contest, Mercyhurst netted two goals to come from behind and win 3-2 with the game-winner coming with 18 seconds remaining. Even in the loss, the Sun Devils outshot the Lakers 21-5 in the third period.
However, ASU flipped the script on Sunday afternoon, scoring six goals against the Lakers. James Sanchez scored his first goal as a Sun Devil, marking his first NCAA goal since he scored two against the Sun Devils as a member of the Michigan Wolverines in February of 2018. Brinson Pasichnuk netted two of his own on Sunday, earning a five-point weekend. After being held scoreless Saturday night, Johnny Walker netted two goals during the Sunday matinee.
We Meet Again...
Last season these two teams met when Arizona State hosted the Desert Hockey Classic in Glendale. The Sun Devils forced a tie thanks to Johnny Walker's late goal on a rebound from a shot by Brett Gruber. After a clean slate in overtime, the Sun Devils won the exhibition shootout.
This will be the first time that the Sun Devils travel to Mankato to face the Mavericks at the Mankato Civic Center.
Last season, Minnesota State went 32-8-2 after winning the WCHA Championship against Bowling Green in an overtime stunner. However, they went on to lose to red-hot Providence 6-3 in the opening game of the NCAA East Regional.
Senior forward Marc Michaelis is Minnesota State's returning scorer with 19 goals last season. Following Michaelis is senior forward Parker Tuomie who put together 26 assists and 40 points in his junior year.
Sophomore goaltender Dryden McKay was one of the best goaltenders in the country, having being named 2018-19 CHN National Rookie of the Year after winning 24 games, a .927 save percentage and a 1.76 goals against average in his freshman campaign.
It will be the second ever meeting between the two programs, as the Sun Devils and Mavericks tied 2-2 in the consolation game of last year's Desert Hockey Classic in Glendale.
"They are a really good team, one of the top teams in the country and they always are," said head coach Greg Powers. "This year might be one of the strongest teams they have ever had and they are that good. They returned 97% of their scoring, they returned their starting goalie who was tremendous for them last year as a freshman. They have a great coach and a great program and we're excited to go up and get some really good experience up there."
Sun Devil Rewind
The Sun Devils started off their 2019-20 campaign with a split series against Mercyhurst last weekend. In the final 2:30 of Saturday's contest, Mercyhurst netted two goals to come from behind and win 3-2 with the game-winner coming with 18 seconds remaining. Even in the loss, the Sun Devils outshot the Lakers 21-5 in the third period.
However, ASU flipped the script on Sunday afternoon, scoring six goals against the Lakers. James Sanchez scored his first goal as a Sun Devil, marking his first NCAA goal since he scored two against the Sun Devils as a member of the Michigan Wolverines in February of 2018. Brinson Pasichnuk netted two of his own on Sunday, earning a five-point weekend. After being held scoreless Saturday night, Johnny Walker netted two goals during the Sunday matinee.
We Meet Again...
Last season these two teams met when Arizona State hosted the Desert Hockey Classic in Glendale. The Sun Devils forced a tie thanks to Johnny Walker's late goal on a rebound from a shot by Brett Gruber. After a clean slate in overtime, the Sun Devils won the exhibition shootout.
This will be the first time that the Sun Devils travel to Mankato to face the Mavericks at the Mankato Civic Center.
Last season, Minnesota State went 32-8-2 after winning the WCHA Championship against Bowling Green in an overtime stunner. However, they went on to lose to red-hot Providence 6-3 in the opening game of the NCAA East Regional.
Senior forward Marc Michaelis is Minnesota State's returning scorer with 19 goals last season. Following Michaelis is senior forward Parker Tuomie who put together 26 assists and 40 points in his junior year.
Sophomore goaltender Dryden McKay was one of the best goaltenders in the country, having being named 2018-19 CHN National Rookie of the Year after winning 24 games, a .927 save percentage and a 1.76 goals against average in his freshman campaign.