TEMPE – The Arizona State hockey team aims to protect its undefeated record against the No. 20 RIT Tigers on January 20-21 at Mullett Arena. The Sun Devils (11-14-0) boast a 6-0 record against the Tigers (15-6-1) dating back to 2019.
Friday's tilt starts at 7 p.m. MST and Saturday's series finale kicks off at 4 p.m. MST. Both games are available to watch on the free ASU Live Stream and listen to on Fox Sports 910 radio.
The trip out West for the Tigers completes the second home-and-away series between the two programs that spans four years. Last year, ASU traveled to Rochester as part of a two-week Northeast road trip that included games against Boston University and then-No. 9/11 Northeastern. ASU swept RIT in front of Tiger fans with two demanding wins.
HISTORY VS. RIT (6-0-0)
W, 5-1 - at RIT, January 15, 2022
W, 2-1 - at RIT, January 14, 2022
W, 5-3 - vs. RIT, January 18, 2020
W, 6-1 - vs. RIT, January 17, 2020
W, 4-2 - at RIT, February 2, 2019
W, 6-1 - at RIT, February 1, 2019
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Sun Devils rank 34th in the nation with 2.7 goals per game, 30th with a 2.8 goals against average, and 33rd in shots percentage at 9.7. The penalty kill continues to enjoy success and ranks 11th in the country at a 85 percent success rate. The kill squad meets its match this weekend in RIT and its top-10 power play unit.
Last time the foes met, the Sun Devils were bolstered with goal-scoring talent Colin Theisen and his support Matthew Kopperud and Josh Doan. Lucky for the Sun Devils, Theisen's point-scoring ability was replaced by transfer Robert Mastrosimone this season, and of course, the Sun Devils returned Kopperud and Doan. The Sun Devils knocked in seven goals over the two-game series last year, including goals from Kopperud, Doan, Jack Jensen, Benji Eckerle, and Ryan O'Reilly.
Mastrosimone continues to lead the ASU squad in points, goals, assists, and shots. His 25 points tie for 15th in the NCAA, and his 17 assists ties at 13th in the country. This season, the senior's 96 shots rank third among Division I skaters.
Kopperud, who lightly returned to play as an extra skater last weekend against No. 17 Minnesota State, is expected to fully return this weekend against RIT. Kopperud tallied one goal and an assist against the Tigers last season.
One of Doan's multi-point games came against RIT last season. On a massive rookie campaign in 2021-22, the then-freshman notched one goal and two assists in a single game against the Tigers. He finished the weekend with four points.
AWARD WATCH LIST
TJ Semptimphelter was named to the Mike Richter Award watch list last week. The Mike Richter Award is given to the best Division I men's ice hockey goaltender in the country. Former ASU goaltender Joey Daccord made it into the top-five finalists in 2018-19. This year, there are 41 goaltenders across the U.S. nominated for the award. Semptimphelter boasts four shutouts this season and leads in the NCAA in saves.
Semptimphelter is joined by teammate Robert Mastrosimone as one of 82 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey players nominated for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.
Friday's tilt starts at 7 p.m. MST and Saturday's series finale kicks off at 4 p.m. MST. Both games are available to watch on the free ASU Live Stream and listen to on Fox Sports 910 radio.
The trip out West for the Tigers completes the second home-and-away series between the two programs that spans four years. Last year, ASU traveled to Rochester as part of a two-week Northeast road trip that included games against Boston University and then-No. 9/11 Northeastern. ASU swept RIT in front of Tiger fans with two demanding wins.
HISTORY VS. RIT (6-0-0)
W, 5-1 - at RIT, January 15, 2022
W, 2-1 - at RIT, January 14, 2022
W, 5-3 - vs. RIT, January 18, 2020
W, 6-1 - vs. RIT, January 17, 2020
W, 4-2 - at RIT, February 2, 2019
W, 6-1 - at RIT, February 1, 2019
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Sun Devils rank 34th in the nation with 2.7 goals per game, 30th with a 2.8 goals against average, and 33rd in shots percentage at 9.7. The penalty kill continues to enjoy success and ranks 11th in the country at a 85 percent success rate. The kill squad meets its match this weekend in RIT and its top-10 power play unit.
Last time the foes met, the Sun Devils were bolstered with goal-scoring talent Colin Theisen and his support Matthew Kopperud and Josh Doan. Lucky for the Sun Devils, Theisen's point-scoring ability was replaced by transfer Robert Mastrosimone this season, and of course, the Sun Devils returned Kopperud and Doan. The Sun Devils knocked in seven goals over the two-game series last year, including goals from Kopperud, Doan, Jack Jensen, Benji Eckerle, and Ryan O'Reilly.
Mastrosimone continues to lead the ASU squad in points, goals, assists, and shots. His 25 points tie for 15th in the NCAA, and his 17 assists ties at 13th in the country. This season, the senior's 96 shots rank third among Division I skaters.
Kopperud, who lightly returned to play as an extra skater last weekend against No. 17 Minnesota State, is expected to fully return this weekend against RIT. Kopperud tallied one goal and an assist against the Tigers last season.
One of Doan's multi-point games came against RIT last season. On a massive rookie campaign in 2021-22, the then-freshman notched one goal and two assists in a single game against the Tigers. He finished the weekend with four points.
AWARD WATCH LIST
TJ Semptimphelter was named to the Mike Richter Award watch list last week. The Mike Richter Award is given to the best Division I men's ice hockey goaltender in the country. Former ASU goaltender Joey Daccord made it into the top-five finalists in 2018-19. This year, there are 41 goaltenders across the U.S. nominated for the award. Semptimphelter boasts four shutouts this season and leads in the NCAA in saves.
Semptimphelter is joined by teammate Robert Mastrosimone as one of 82 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey players nominated for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.