LAS VEGAS -- It's the story of Sun Devil Hockey: a pilgrimage of firsts.
A club program in a community rink catapulted overnight into an NCAA Division I program, yet confined to the walls of the same old club rink. Each season, new teams, first-time opponents and throw downs between the new kids on the block and the tried and tested. The blue bloods.
Seven years later, Sun Devil Hockey is a Division I team loaning its 145 million dollar on-campus rink to an NHL team. Oh, times have changed.
But even now, Sun Devil Hockey still plays "first-evers". On Saturday, October 29 at 7 p.m., ASU competes under the bright lights of T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game against arguably the most traditional program in the Midwest, the University of North Dakota. The desert duel will air on MidCo Sports and NCHC.tv as well as the home of Sun Devil Hockey, FoxSports910.
Coming away from Sin City with a win over No. 6/7 North Dakota would be a monumental first that ASU could install into its growing foundation of tradition.
The Sun Devils are coming off their first sweep at Mullett Arena against Colorado College last weekend. Senior Robert Mastrosimone is currently on a two-game goal-scoring streak and is leading the team with six points, tied with linemates Josh Doan (2G, 4A) and Lukas Sillinger (1G, 5A). Not far behind them is Tim Lovell with five points. Lovell enjoyed a big weekend versus the Tigers as the defenseman notched one goal and three assists through two games.
Three Sun Devils got on the board for the first time in the maroon and gold last weekend as freshmen Charlie Schoen, Teddy Lagerback, and Ryan Alexander scored against CC.
Sophomore netminder TJ Semptimphelter has been the star between the pipes so far this season. He is currently leading the NCAA in saves with 278. Semptimphelter started in all eight of the Sun Devils' games this season and boasts a 0.933 save percentage with two shutouts in a three-game span.
On par for the typical ASU schedule, UND is not the first ranked team that the Sun Devils faced this year. In only four opponents, this is the second opponent who is placed within the top 10 of the USCHO.com poll (then-No. 5 Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 1-2).
Also for the first time, freshman Tucker Ness is facing his brother Griffen Ness, junior for UND.
ASU is 9-16-4 against National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) opponents. After facing UND, Miami is the sole NCHC program that ASU has yet to face. The Sun Devils played the NCHC's UMD Bulldogs for the first time to start the 2022-23 season in Duluth. UND boasts a top-five offense, as they sit fifth in goals per game, first in shots percentage, and hold the second-best power play in the NCAA at 35.5 percent.
"They're a great program, a great team but it's going to be a fun atmosphere so we're excited for it," noted Powers as his team has an opportunity to make waves in an NHL rink.
HOW TO TUNE IN:
Watch: MidCo Sports and NCHC.tv (click here to stream with a purchased subscription)
Listen: FoxSports910
Follow Live Stats
A club program in a community rink catapulted overnight into an NCAA Division I program, yet confined to the walls of the same old club rink. Each season, new teams, first-time opponents and throw downs between the new kids on the block and the tried and tested. The blue bloods.
Seven years later, Sun Devil Hockey is a Division I team loaning its 145 million dollar on-campus rink to an NHL team. Oh, times have changed.
But even now, Sun Devil Hockey still plays "first-evers". On Saturday, October 29 at 7 p.m., ASU competes under the bright lights of T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game against arguably the most traditional program in the Midwest, the University of North Dakota. The desert duel will air on MidCo Sports and NCHC.tv as well as the home of Sun Devil Hockey, FoxSports910.
Coming away from Sin City with a win over No. 6/7 North Dakota would be a monumental first that ASU could install into its growing foundation of tradition.
The Sun Devils are coming off their first sweep at Mullett Arena against Colorado College last weekend. Senior Robert Mastrosimone is currently on a two-game goal-scoring streak and is leading the team with six points, tied with linemates Josh Doan (2G, 4A) and Lukas Sillinger (1G, 5A). Not far behind them is Tim Lovell with five points. Lovell enjoyed a big weekend versus the Tigers as the defenseman notched one goal and three assists through two games.
Three Sun Devils got on the board for the first time in the maroon and gold last weekend as freshmen Charlie Schoen, Teddy Lagerback, and Ryan Alexander scored against CC.
Sophomore netminder TJ Semptimphelter has been the star between the pipes so far this season. He is currently leading the NCAA in saves with 278. Semptimphelter started in all eight of the Sun Devils' games this season and boasts a 0.933 save percentage with two shutouts in a three-game span.
On par for the typical ASU schedule, UND is not the first ranked team that the Sun Devils faced this year. In only four opponents, this is the second opponent who is placed within the top 10 of the USCHO.com poll (then-No. 5 Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 1-2).
Also for the first time, freshman Tucker Ness is facing his brother Griffen Ness, junior for UND.
ASU is 9-16-4 against National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) opponents. After facing UND, Miami is the sole NCHC program that ASU has yet to face. The Sun Devils played the NCHC's UMD Bulldogs for the first time to start the 2022-23 season in Duluth. UND boasts a top-five offense, as they sit fifth in goals per game, first in shots percentage, and hold the second-best power play in the NCAA at 35.5 percent.
"They're a great program, a great team but it's going to be a fun atmosphere so we're excited for it," noted Powers as his team has an opportunity to make waves in an NHL rink.
HOW TO TUNE IN:
Watch: MidCo Sports and NCHC.tv (click here to stream with a purchased subscription)
Listen: FoxSports910
Follow Live Stats