Preview by Liesl Babicka, Sun Devil Athletics' Intern
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Sun Devil men's hockey team flies to Colorado Springs for their second road trip in as many weekends to take on Air Force (0-2-0) October 18-19 at Cadet Ice Arena.
With the third overall series between these two teams, the Falcons lead the Sun Devils 3-1 with the lone ASU win coming in the 2016-17 season at Gila River Arena. In the second game of the series, forwards Brett Gruber and Tyler Busch each tallied a goal helping the Sun Devils to a 5-2 upset and the program's first win over a ranked opponent.
"We're going to need to play a disciplined and full, 60 minute game Friday to have success," said head coach Greg Powers. "Frank's [Serratore] squads are always well coached and extremely hard, and we're in for a dog fight this weekend as we're both coming off tough road trips against top-10 opponents."
In 2017-18, ASU combined for five goals in the two, one-goal losses at Air Force including goals from Busch and defenseman Jacob Wilson. Wilson's goal was the first in his collegiate career with then-freshman Johnny Walker recording his first collegiate assist.
Looking Internally...
Junior Johnny Walker leads the team with three goals and six points in four games, putting himself in a multi-way national tie for second in points and seventh in goals. Forward James Sanchez leads the Sun Devils with four assists while senior defensemen Brinson Pasichnuk has two goals and five points.
Sophomore Evan Debrauwer has seen the bulk of the action between the pipes with three starts. He has a .874 saves percentage and a 4.02 goals-against average.
Junior forward Dominic Garcia's parents and older brother are all veterans of the United States Air Force.
Behind Enemy Lines...
Air Force is one of the Sun Devils most common opponents since ASU's arrival into the Division I ranks, as the two programs have met four times in the last three seasons. The Falcons hold the upper hand with a 3-1-0 record -- the only loss being the Sun Devils' first-ever victory over a ranked opponent in 2016-17 at Gila River Arena. Two seasons ago, ASU visited Cadet Ice Arena for the first time and dropped back-to-back one-goal games.
Last weekend, Air Force traveled to then-No. 8 Notre Dame for the first series of its regular-season schedule. Air Force lost 3-4 on Friday and 1-6 on Sunday to start their season with a 0-2-0 overall record.
The Falcons are replacing their top four scorers from the 2018-19 season to graduation, and their three senior forwards -- Matt Pulver (2G), Brady Tomlak (1G, 1A), and Trevor Stone (2A) – have taken over that responsibility so far this season. Pulver, the leading goal scorer, boasts two of the team's four goals on the season.
Junior netminder Zack LaRocque notched a 4.56 goals against average and made 45 saves on 53 Notre Dame shots their opening weekend.
Watch
Puck drop on Friday and Saturday night will be 6:05 p.m. (MST) and the games can be watched on FloSports.tv. R.T. O'Sullivans in Scottdale (Hayden & Thomas Rd.) will be airing both games on Friday and Saturday night. The games are also available on the radio and can be found at www.GoAirForceFalcons.com.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Sun Devil men's hockey team flies to Colorado Springs for their second road trip in as many weekends to take on Air Force (0-2-0) October 18-19 at Cadet Ice Arena.
With the third overall series between these two teams, the Falcons lead the Sun Devils 3-1 with the lone ASU win coming in the 2016-17 season at Gila River Arena. In the second game of the series, forwards Brett Gruber and Tyler Busch each tallied a goal helping the Sun Devils to a 5-2 upset and the program's first win over a ranked opponent.
"We're going to need to play a disciplined and full, 60 minute game Friday to have success," said head coach Greg Powers. "Frank's [Serratore] squads are always well coached and extremely hard, and we're in for a dog fight this weekend as we're both coming off tough road trips against top-10 opponents."
In 2017-18, ASU combined for five goals in the two, one-goal losses at Air Force including goals from Busch and defenseman Jacob Wilson. Wilson's goal was the first in his collegiate career with then-freshman Johnny Walker recording his first collegiate assist.
Looking Internally...
Junior Johnny Walker leads the team with three goals and six points in four games, putting himself in a multi-way national tie for second in points and seventh in goals. Forward James Sanchez leads the Sun Devils with four assists while senior defensemen Brinson Pasichnuk has two goals and five points.
Sophomore Evan Debrauwer has seen the bulk of the action between the pipes with three starts. He has a .874 saves percentage and a 4.02 goals-against average.
Junior forward Dominic Garcia's parents and older brother are all veterans of the United States Air Force.
Behind Enemy Lines...
Air Force is one of the Sun Devils most common opponents since ASU's arrival into the Division I ranks, as the two programs have met four times in the last three seasons. The Falcons hold the upper hand with a 3-1-0 record -- the only loss being the Sun Devils' first-ever victory over a ranked opponent in 2016-17 at Gila River Arena. Two seasons ago, ASU visited Cadet Ice Arena for the first time and dropped back-to-back one-goal games.
Last weekend, Air Force traveled to then-No. 8 Notre Dame for the first series of its regular-season schedule. Air Force lost 3-4 on Friday and 1-6 on Sunday to start their season with a 0-2-0 overall record.
The Falcons are replacing their top four scorers from the 2018-19 season to graduation, and their three senior forwards -- Matt Pulver (2G), Brady Tomlak (1G, 1A), and Trevor Stone (2A) – have taken over that responsibility so far this season. Pulver, the leading goal scorer, boasts two of the team's four goals on the season.
Junior netminder Zack LaRocque notched a 4.56 goals against average and made 45 saves on 53 Notre Dame shots their opening weekend.
Watch
Puck drop on Friday and Saturday night will be 6:05 p.m. (MST) and the games can be watched on FloSports.tv. R.T. O'Sullivans in Scottdale (Hayden & Thomas Rd.) will be airing both games on Friday and Saturday night. The games are also available on the radio and can be found at www.GoAirForceFalcons.com.