DURHAM, N.H. – The Arizona State ice hockey team (8-9-0) continues its road trip this weekend looking to get back in the win column against the New Hampshire Wildcats (3-13-1). The Sun Devils are undefeated against the Wildcats including a sweep of UNH at Oceanside Ice Arena last season. The two-game series will air on ESPN+ at 5 p.m. MST and at 2 p.m. MST on Friday and Saturday, December 9-10.
The weekend trip marks the last road trip for ASU in the 2022 calendar year and the first trip back to Durham since the 2016-17 season. Back then, the Sun Devils emerged victorious with a 5-4 win in overtime. The Sun Devils look to get back to .500 on the season and take some pressure off after a stint of road losses resulting in a 2-7-0 record away from Mullett Arena.
For the road warriors, the charter trip marks the first time the squad played in back-to-back road games since opening the season at then-No. 5 Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State.
The Sun Devils have scored at least one goal in all but one of the 17 games this season, while the team is 8-2 when scoring more than three goals in a game. Senior forward Robert Mastrosimone leads the team with six goals and 12 assists on the season. When facing the Wildcats, ASU has been able to outscore the opposition 15-6 in the all-time series between the two teams.
Transfer sophomore TJ Semptimphelter ranks second in the nation in saves with 517 on the season, after assembling 79 saves over the weekend against the No. 1 ranked Denver and boasting a save percentage of .918 on the year.
Keeping pace with Mastrosimone through 17 games is team captain Josh Doan with 14 points (4G, 10A), junior forward Lukas Sillinger with 11 points (4G, 7A), defenseman Tim Lovell with 11 points (3G, 8A) and defensemen Jack Judson with 10 points (2G, 8A).
Fans can keep up with the action this weekend by following @SunDevilHockey on Twttier, Instagram and Facebook.
HISTORY vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Oct. 16, 2021 – Arizona State 5, New Hampshire 1
Oct. 15, 2021 – Arizona State, 5, New Hampshire 1
Nov. 12, 2016 – Arizona State, 5, New Hampshire 4 F/OT
MEDIA AVAILABILITY QUOTES
On weekend in Denver:
"Just a great team, Denver is an unbelievable team. We knew how good they were and they showed it in person. Tough two weeks in a row playing Minnesota and Denver, but they're going to make us better. It was a tough weekend, obviously not the results we wanted but they're a healthy team."
On what is causing problem on the road:
"Every Friday night we have played pretty well, we've been there every Friday game. At Duluth we felt like we maybe should have won that game, had a goal called off late and a couple good chances to win late in regulation. Bemidji we won three-nothing on Friday. Clarkson we lose with 16 seconds left in regulation. This weekend, in our opinion, a really unfortunate wrong call was made and didn't allow us to get into overtime. I want to make it clear, they outplayed us in that game. TJ played incredible and kept us in a position where we could get some pairwise credit. And that's hockey and that's the unfortunate part. Four Friday night games that really all could have gone our way. Not close, inches from one and three to four and oh. And then we have to figure out a way to bounce back on Saturdays on the road and play well."
On importance of this weekend to get over .500:
"It's important. Obviously we want to go out there and get two wins and get back on track. Again, we have to use the last four games to our advantage. It doesn't get any tougher than Minnesota and Denver back-to-back. Two completely different teams. How they're built, how they play. But two incredibly talented teams. You could make the case, unanimously, that they are the two best teams in the country right now. To split with Minnesota here and almost get the split, or even a game in overtime, in the altitude against Denver shows how close we are. Sixteen seconds left against Clarkson in regulation. Some really heartbreaking losses that our guys have got to figure out a way to get over the hump and win those games."
On importance of getting two wins on mental health of team:
"It's huge. To come back feeling good about ourselves heading into break and then ending the season with 20 games at Mullett is a big advantage. So we, by no means, have given up on our tournament hopes. We're right in the thick of it. We have to go and win a bunch of games now, but we have a capable team, we know we are capable, we just got to show a few things up and I know our guys have it in them.
Sophomore Goalie TJ Semptimphelter
On being halfway through season as a Sun Devil:
"Obviously we are just coming off the weekend where we were in Colorado and we didn't get the result we wanted. But obviously we have a lot of games left so as soon as that game was over on Saturday our guys were done and ready for another week."
On being satisfied with stats:
"I don't really think about that stuff. Obviously for me, my focus is just stopping the next puck. I try not to look at that stuff as much as possible. Obviously you have expectations going in and something that I learned from my goalie coach previously was to have no expectations and always focus on the future and you can do even better."
On looking at season record with team:
"We had a meeting today talking about how close we were in some of those games. Obviously as a team we understand that and there's a lot of positives with that, but there are also a lot of things that we can work on and bring in for the second half of our season. We do have some big games and we've obviously got some opportunities left."
On winning at New Hampshire:
"Those games are huge. Obviously going into a break too with two wins under our belt, kind of starting to get on a roll going into the new year would be huge. We are preparing now, working hard and getting ready to do everything we can to win."
On so many home games at Mullett:
"You can just feel the electricity in the building. We all talk about it. We are fortunate to call this place home. Thank you to Mullett's, the coaching staff, and everyone else who made it possible for us. But it is awesome. It just reflects on our record, how successful we have been at home, we can feel the energy. The fans have been unbelievable, the Mullett crew, and the 942 Crew. We are excited for the opponents coming up."
On facing NHL talent:
"For me, I get excited for every game, but obviously those are the games that we really get up for. I really enjoy playing against that level of players and I think it lets me thrive and play my game. Obviously they are really talented and make the right play every time and as a goalie I feel like the game simplifies for you. It was a lot of fun playing those guys. Minnesota, we got a win the second night. The first night they scored off a Michigan. But we were right there and it goes to show you the capabilities that this team has."
The weekend trip marks the last road trip for ASU in the 2022 calendar year and the first trip back to Durham since the 2016-17 season. Back then, the Sun Devils emerged victorious with a 5-4 win in overtime. The Sun Devils look to get back to .500 on the season and take some pressure off after a stint of road losses resulting in a 2-7-0 record away from Mullett Arena.
For the road warriors, the charter trip marks the first time the squad played in back-to-back road games since opening the season at then-No. 5 Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State.
only business ?? pic.twitter.com/7CT3PZPDe7
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 8, 2022
The Sun Devils have scored at least one goal in all but one of the 17 games this season, while the team is 8-2 when scoring more than three goals in a game. Senior forward Robert Mastrosimone leads the team with six goals and 12 assists on the season. When facing the Wildcats, ASU has been able to outscore the opposition 15-6 in the all-time series between the two teams.
Transfer sophomore TJ Semptimphelter ranks second in the nation in saves with 517 on the season, after assembling 79 saves over the weekend against the No. 1 ranked Denver and boasting a save percentage of .918 on the year.
Keeping pace with Mastrosimone through 17 games is team captain Josh Doan with 14 points (4G, 10A), junior forward Lukas Sillinger with 11 points (4G, 7A), defenseman Tim Lovell with 11 points (3G, 8A) and defensemen Jack Judson with 10 points (2G, 8A).
devils in wildcat country ?? pic.twitter.com/LfV91jbRf4
— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) December 9, 2022
Fans can keep up with the action this weekend by following @SunDevilHockey on Twttier, Instagram and Facebook.
HISTORY vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Oct. 16, 2021 – Arizona State 5, New Hampshire 1
Oct. 15, 2021 – Arizona State, 5, New Hampshire 1
Nov. 12, 2016 – Arizona State, 5, New Hampshire 4 F/OT
MEDIA AVAILABILITY QUOTES
On weekend in Denver:
"Just a great team, Denver is an unbelievable team. We knew how good they were and they showed it in person. Tough two weeks in a row playing Minnesota and Denver, but they're going to make us better. It was a tough weekend, obviously not the results we wanted but they're a healthy team."
On what is causing problem on the road:
"Every Friday night we have played pretty well, we've been there every Friday game. At Duluth we felt like we maybe should have won that game, had a goal called off late and a couple good chances to win late in regulation. Bemidji we won three-nothing on Friday. Clarkson we lose with 16 seconds left in regulation. This weekend, in our opinion, a really unfortunate wrong call was made and didn't allow us to get into overtime. I want to make it clear, they outplayed us in that game. TJ played incredible and kept us in a position where we could get some pairwise credit. And that's hockey and that's the unfortunate part. Four Friday night games that really all could have gone our way. Not close, inches from one and three to four and oh. And then we have to figure out a way to bounce back on Saturdays on the road and play well."
On importance of this weekend to get over .500:
"It's important. Obviously we want to go out there and get two wins and get back on track. Again, we have to use the last four games to our advantage. It doesn't get any tougher than Minnesota and Denver back-to-back. Two completely different teams. How they're built, how they play. But two incredibly talented teams. You could make the case, unanimously, that they are the two best teams in the country right now. To split with Minnesota here and almost get the split, or even a game in overtime, in the altitude against Denver shows how close we are. Sixteen seconds left against Clarkson in regulation. Some really heartbreaking losses that our guys have got to figure out a way to get over the hump and win those games."
On importance of getting two wins on mental health of team:
"It's huge. To come back feeling good about ourselves heading into break and then ending the season with 20 games at Mullett is a big advantage. So we, by no means, have given up on our tournament hopes. We're right in the thick of it. We have to go and win a bunch of games now, but we have a capable team, we know we are capable, we just got to show a few things up and I know our guys have it in them.
Sophomore Goalie TJ Semptimphelter
On being halfway through season as a Sun Devil:
"Obviously we are just coming off the weekend where we were in Colorado and we didn't get the result we wanted. But obviously we have a lot of games left so as soon as that game was over on Saturday our guys were done and ready for another week."
On being satisfied with stats:
"I don't really think about that stuff. Obviously for me, my focus is just stopping the next puck. I try not to look at that stuff as much as possible. Obviously you have expectations going in and something that I learned from my goalie coach previously was to have no expectations and always focus on the future and you can do even better."
On looking at season record with team:
"We had a meeting today talking about how close we were in some of those games. Obviously as a team we understand that and there's a lot of positives with that, but there are also a lot of things that we can work on and bring in for the second half of our season. We do have some big games and we've obviously got some opportunities left."
On winning at New Hampshire:
"Those games are huge. Obviously going into a break too with two wins under our belt, kind of starting to get on a roll going into the new year would be huge. We are preparing now, working hard and getting ready to do everything we can to win."
On so many home games at Mullett:
"You can just feel the electricity in the building. We all talk about it. We are fortunate to call this place home. Thank you to Mullett's, the coaching staff, and everyone else who made it possible for us. But it is awesome. It just reflects on our record, how successful we have been at home, we can feel the energy. The fans have been unbelievable, the Mullett crew, and the 942 Crew. We are excited for the opponents coming up."
On facing NHL talent:
"For me, I get excited for every game, but obviously those are the games that we really get up for. I really enjoy playing against that level of players and I think it lets me thrive and play my game. Obviously they are really talented and make the right play every time and as a goalie I feel like the game simplifies for you. It was a lot of fun playing those guys. Minnesota, we got a win the second night. The first night they scored off a Michigan. But we were right there and it goes to show you the capabilities that this team has."