DENVER, Colo. – Signature win against then-No. 6 North Dakota in Las Vegas? Check. Signature win and split against No. 2 Minnesota at home in front of two consecutive sellout crowds? Check. Signature win on the road? Arizona State ice hockey head coach Greg Powers and company look to accomplish the feat against No. 1/1 Denver at Magness Arena this weekend, Dec. 2-3.
"Now we have to capitalize on those two signature wins and get a signature road win for the pairwise at Denver against another blue blood," said head coach Greg Powers. "So it would be a sort of trifecta for the first semester to go and get a win on Friday. That is what the messaging and the focus are on this week. By all means, go up and get a win on Friday."
The Sun Devils (8-7-0) and reigning national champion Pioneers (10-4-0) face off for the fifth series in seven years in the Mile High City. Last season, the two programs met twice, once at Oceanside Ice Arena and once at Magness Arena, for a total of four games, each won by DU to push the all-time record to 1-6-1 in DU's favor.
ASU has played DU more than any other National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) team, followed by Colorado College, which ASU swept at Mullett Arena in October.
The two games are available to stream on NCHC.tv for a subscription fee. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. MST on Friday night and an hour earlier on Saturday night at 6 p.m. MST.
QUICK NOTES
SUN DEVIL REWIND
ASU split the weekend with No. 2/2 Minnesota during the Thanksgiving holiday. ASU's defeat of UMN included six goals, tying the most that the Golden Gophers have allowed an opponent all season. It was no matter that UMN held ASU to its third-fewest shots on goal this season at 24 on Saturday.
ASU's six goals tie the most goals in a single game for the Sun Devils this season (6 vs. Colorado College, Oct. 22, 2022).
Ryan Alexander scored three goals against Minnesota, one on Friday night and two on Saturday. For Saturday's win, he was joined by Demetrios Koumontzis, Ty and Dylan Jackson, and Mastrosimone as goal-scorers against the Golden Gophers.
Defeating No. 2 Minnesota became the highest ranked win for the Sun Devils in program history. Previously, the highest ranked win for ASU was over then-No. 4 Denver, 4-1, on Dec. 6, 2019.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Despite the varying records and ranking, DU and ASU matchup fairly even in multiple statistical categories.
Just like ASU, DU is also 6-2-0 at home. The difference strikes on the road: ASU has a 1-5-0 record for away games while DU boasts a 4-2-0.
ASU's Road Schedule So Far
at #5 Minnesota Duluth - L, 2-3 (OT)
at #5 Minnesota Duluth - L, 1-4
at Bemidji State - W, 3-0
at Bemidji State - L, 4-5 (OT)
at Clarkson - L, 1-2
at Clarkson - L, 3-5
DU's Road Schedule So Far
at #13/14 Massachusetts - L, 2-4
at #13/14 Massachusetts - L, 0-3
at Miami - W, 4-0
at Miami - W, 4-2
at #12/13 North Dakota - W, 3-2
at #12/13 North Dakota - W, 6-3
QUOTES
Head coach Greg Powers:
On changes in roster depth from Clarkson to Minnesota series:
"Clarkson was kind of an anomaly. We were short five guys, that was the biggest thing. We got a few back this week, but it was a huge shot in the arm. Without those five guys, we were really thin. We still feel like both games we could have, and should have won. But that's what they say about coulda, woulda. They were just really opportunistic, tough place to play. So it wasn't that we played poorly, we lost with 16 seconds left, and in game two, we tied it up with 10 minutes left. We were right there both nights. Losses are also three-on-three overtime at Duluth and Bemidji, so we have to find ways; that's what the message has been the past two weeks. We have to find a way to win close games; we can't rely on winning every game 5-1, 6-1, 5-2, like we have here. We have to win the close games. Saturday was hopefully a step in the right direction."
On what it takes to win close games:
"I think in the Duluth loss, we missed two breakaways and a wide-open net with under five minutes left. And in Bemidji, we had two breakaways that we missed to win it. It is just finding a way to put the puck in the net at crucial moments. And that is what we did on Saturday against Minnesota in a lot of situations, whether it was down 5-4 with Dylan Jackson stepping up and bearing a puck late and Robert Mastrosimone finally getting away and getting on in. Before that breakaway, we were 0-12 for the season on breakaways. That's hard to do. I think the percentages are going to be with the goalie more often than not, and even though that one wasn't clean, he fanned on the initial attempt, ramped off the goalie's stick trying to poke-check him. We have to capitalize on chances. We have outchanced our opponent in almost every game, minus Saturday night, they had more chances than us, but it's just capitalizing on critical moments on the road. You have to do it if you're going to win."
On how guys are feeling now and updates on players:
"Charlie Schoen and Jackson Niedermayer will not be in this weekend, so we are still waiting for word on them and what the time table looks like. It could be longer than shorter, and those are two big losses. But we are finding ways to get through it without those guys. We are hoping Jenner will be back this weekend, so we will probably know for sure tomorrow."
On confidence boost going into Denver:
"We have some signature wins. We have North Dakota on the road in front of 15,000 of their fans. Like Craig said, it really was a road game and we managed it very well. So we've done it, and we know we can do it. A signature win at now against the top ranked team in the country, Minnesota is very good and now we have to capitalize on those two signature wins and go get a signature road win for the pairwise in Denver, against another blue blood. So it would kind of be the trifecta for the first semester to go and get a win on Friday. That is what the messaging and the focus will be on this week, by all means go up and get a win on Friday."
On challenges Denver presents:
"They are really skilled, they have a lot of dangerous skills. Their back end is really close to Minnesota's. They are that skilled and that deep. Goaltender's back, he was tremendous last year in the championship run. You get a kid like Carter Mazur who is at the top of the country in goal scoring. They are just dangerous. When you have to go up there and play at altitude, it poses more of a challenge. That's why it is important to get these guys back, it's hugely advantageous when you can roll four lines up in altitude."
On going up Wednesday to acclimate:
"That's why we are going up on Wednesday, trying to acclimate as much as we can and get a couple good skates in before so they can feel their lungs burning a little bit and what it is going to be like. You can't avoid it, it's reality. It is what it is, we played up there a lot and last year we played really well in that game too. We lost by a goal and were all over to tie it. We've had success up there. We beat Colorado College up there and dealt with the altitude, but it is just one of those things that you have to gun through."
On Ryan Alexander:
"He's been tremendous. He's a great 200 foot player. He's good at the dot, he's great defensively, he's got speed, grit, tenacity, and he's got some offense. He's just an all around really good hockey player. He's what you think of when you think of a good, old fashion Canadian hockey player. He's going to be really good for us for four years, he's one hell of a player."
On keeping the momentum going:
"I think you just have to draw on experience. Down two against North Dakota in a hostile environment and you find a way to come back and win. Down a few times to an incredibly talented team like Minnesota, both nights. Even the first night, down two, and really from that moment I thought we controlled the momentum for most of the game. We were way better Friday than Saturday and they were way better on Saturday than Friday. It's funny how the game works sometimes. It's mainly just internalizing that belief now that we can beat anybody, we can, and we expect to. Really believing that and trying to parlay that into a really important weekend against Denver."
"Now we have to capitalize on those two signature wins and get a signature road win for the pairwise at Denver against another blue blood," said head coach Greg Powers. "So it would be a sort of trifecta for the first semester to go and get a win on Friday. That is what the messaging and the focus are on this week. By all means, go up and get a win on Friday."
The Sun Devils (8-7-0) and reigning national champion Pioneers (10-4-0) face off for the fifth series in seven years in the Mile High City. Last season, the two programs met twice, once at Oceanside Ice Arena and once at Magness Arena, for a total of four games, each won by DU to push the all-time record to 1-6-1 in DU's favor.
ASU has played DU more than any other National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) team, followed by Colorado College, which ASU swept at Mullett Arena in October.
The two games are available to stream on NCHC.tv for a subscription fee. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. MST on Friday night and an hour earlier on Saturday night at 6 p.m. MST.
QUICK NOTES
- Josh Doan became the fastest Sun Devil to reach 50 career points after accomplishing the feat in his 50th career game. He stole the title from teammate Matthew Kopperud who reached 50 career points in 51 career games. They outpace ASU all-time point scorers Johnny Walker (55 games) and Brinson Pasichnuk (69 games).
- Doan has tallied at least one point in five of the last six games for eight points (2G, 6A)
- Senior Tanner Hickey jumped into the lineup in the past few games and recorded his first point of the season against No. 2 Minnesota with an assist.
- Dylan Jackson is on a three-game goal-scoring streak, with one scored each night dating back to Clarkson on Nov. 19.
- Defenseman Tim Lovell is on a four-game point-scoring streak (1G, 3A)
- Magic Mastro: Robert Mastrosimone booked a four-point night (1G, 3A) in ASU's overtime win over No. 2/2 Minnesota last Saturday night. It marked his second huge game-winning goal as the redshirt senior was credited with the game-winner against No. 6 North Dakota in Las Vegas.
- TJ Semptimphelter ranks third in the nation in saves with 438
SUN DEVIL REWIND
ASU split the weekend with No. 2/2 Minnesota during the Thanksgiving holiday. ASU's defeat of UMN included six goals, tying the most that the Golden Gophers have allowed an opponent all season. It was no matter that UMN held ASU to its third-fewest shots on goal this season at 24 on Saturday.
ASU's six goals tie the most goals in a single game for the Sun Devils this season (6 vs. Colorado College, Oct. 22, 2022).
Ryan Alexander scored three goals against Minnesota, one on Friday night and two on Saturday. For Saturday's win, he was joined by Demetrios Koumontzis, Ty and Dylan Jackson, and Mastrosimone as goal-scorers against the Golden Gophers.
Defeating No. 2 Minnesota became the highest ranked win for the Sun Devils in program history. Previously, the highest ranked win for ASU was over then-No. 4 Denver, 4-1, on Dec. 6, 2019.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Despite the varying records and ranking, DU and ASU matchup fairly even in multiple statistical categories.
| Sun Devils (NCAA Rank) | Tale of the Tape | Pioneers (NCAA Rank) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 (T22nd) | Goals Per Game | 3.3 (T14th) |
| 2.6 (T21st) | Goals Against Average | 2.3 (T8th) |
| 10.5 (T22nd) | Shots Percentage | 10.4 (T24th) |
| 23.9% (T12th) | Power Play | 23% (17th) |
| 81.5% (T28th) | Penalty Kill | 73.9% (T55th) |
| 47.5 (T46th) | Faceoff Percentage | 46.7 (51st) |
Just like ASU, DU is also 6-2-0 at home. The difference strikes on the road: ASU has a 1-5-0 record for away games while DU boasts a 4-2-0.
ASU's Road Schedule So Far
at #5 Minnesota Duluth - L, 2-3 (OT)
at #5 Minnesota Duluth - L, 1-4
at Bemidji State - W, 3-0
at Bemidji State - L, 4-5 (OT)
at Clarkson - L, 1-2
at Clarkson - L, 3-5
DU's Road Schedule So Far
at #13/14 Massachusetts - L, 2-4
at #13/14 Massachusetts - L, 0-3
at Miami - W, 4-0
at Miami - W, 4-2
at #12/13 North Dakota - W, 3-2
at #12/13 North Dakota - W, 6-3
QUOTES
Head coach Greg Powers:
On changes in roster depth from Clarkson to Minnesota series:
"Clarkson was kind of an anomaly. We were short five guys, that was the biggest thing. We got a few back this week, but it was a huge shot in the arm. Without those five guys, we were really thin. We still feel like both games we could have, and should have won. But that's what they say about coulda, woulda. They were just really opportunistic, tough place to play. So it wasn't that we played poorly, we lost with 16 seconds left, and in game two, we tied it up with 10 minutes left. We were right there both nights. Losses are also three-on-three overtime at Duluth and Bemidji, so we have to find ways; that's what the message has been the past two weeks. We have to find a way to win close games; we can't rely on winning every game 5-1, 6-1, 5-2, like we have here. We have to win the close games. Saturday was hopefully a step in the right direction."
On what it takes to win close games:
"I think in the Duluth loss, we missed two breakaways and a wide-open net with under five minutes left. And in Bemidji, we had two breakaways that we missed to win it. It is just finding a way to put the puck in the net at crucial moments. And that is what we did on Saturday against Minnesota in a lot of situations, whether it was down 5-4 with Dylan Jackson stepping up and bearing a puck late and Robert Mastrosimone finally getting away and getting on in. Before that breakaway, we were 0-12 for the season on breakaways. That's hard to do. I think the percentages are going to be with the goalie more often than not, and even though that one wasn't clean, he fanned on the initial attempt, ramped off the goalie's stick trying to poke-check him. We have to capitalize on chances. We have outchanced our opponent in almost every game, minus Saturday night, they had more chances than us, but it's just capitalizing on critical moments on the road. You have to do it if you're going to win."
On how guys are feeling now and updates on players:
"Charlie Schoen and Jackson Niedermayer will not be in this weekend, so we are still waiting for word on them and what the time table looks like. It could be longer than shorter, and those are two big losses. But we are finding ways to get through it without those guys. We are hoping Jenner will be back this weekend, so we will probably know for sure tomorrow."
On confidence boost going into Denver:
"We have some signature wins. We have North Dakota on the road in front of 15,000 of their fans. Like Craig said, it really was a road game and we managed it very well. So we've done it, and we know we can do it. A signature win at now against the top ranked team in the country, Minnesota is very good and now we have to capitalize on those two signature wins and go get a signature road win for the pairwise in Denver, against another blue blood. So it would kind of be the trifecta for the first semester to go and get a win on Friday. That is what the messaging and the focus will be on this week, by all means go up and get a win on Friday."
On challenges Denver presents:
"They are really skilled, they have a lot of dangerous skills. Their back end is really close to Minnesota's. They are that skilled and that deep. Goaltender's back, he was tremendous last year in the championship run. You get a kid like Carter Mazur who is at the top of the country in goal scoring. They are just dangerous. When you have to go up there and play at altitude, it poses more of a challenge. That's why it is important to get these guys back, it's hugely advantageous when you can roll four lines up in altitude."
On going up Wednesday to acclimate:
"That's why we are going up on Wednesday, trying to acclimate as much as we can and get a couple good skates in before so they can feel their lungs burning a little bit and what it is going to be like. You can't avoid it, it's reality. It is what it is, we played up there a lot and last year we played really well in that game too. We lost by a goal and were all over to tie it. We've had success up there. We beat Colorado College up there and dealt with the altitude, but it is just one of those things that you have to gun through."
On Ryan Alexander:
"He's been tremendous. He's a great 200 foot player. He's good at the dot, he's great defensively, he's got speed, grit, tenacity, and he's got some offense. He's just an all around really good hockey player. He's what you think of when you think of a good, old fashion Canadian hockey player. He's going to be really good for us for four years, he's one hell of a player."
On keeping the momentum going:
"I think you just have to draw on experience. Down two against North Dakota in a hostile environment and you find a way to come back and win. Down a few times to an incredibly talented team like Minnesota, both nights. Even the first night, down two, and really from that moment I thought we controlled the momentum for most of the game. We were way better Friday than Saturday and they were way better on Saturday than Friday. It's funny how the game works sometimes. It's mainly just internalizing that belief now that we can beat anybody, we can, and we expect to. Really believing that and trying to parlay that into a really important weekend against Denver."