Sun Devils vs. Wildcats at Oceanside Ice Arena
TEMPE, Ariz. -- It's a new rendition of Sun Devils versus Wildcats as the Arizona State men's ice hockey team hosts the University of New Hampshire this weekend at Oceanside Ice Arena. ASU (1-3-0) and UNH (2-0-0) face off on Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:05 p.m. MST and Saturday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. MST.
The two teams last met for a single game during the 2016-17 season, ASU's second as a Division I program. In that matchup, ASU came away with the 5-4 overtime win. This time around, ASU looks to get back into the win column after three-straight losses to start the season.
"Every game for us is (important)," said head coach Greg Powers. "Obviously, we're not even close to pushing the panic button through the first four games played against two really good teams. We lost two one-goal games, so every game is important. We want to get back on track and claw back to .500, and that's the goal this weekend."
SUN DEVIL REWIND
Last weekend, the results weren't there for the Sun Devils who suffered their first sweep of the 2021-22 season. Aside from the scoreboard, ASU had a lot of positive elements working in place. The special teams put on an absolute clinic in the Mile High City as ASU's power play finished the two-game series with a 50% conversion (5/10). Sophomore forward MATTHEW KOPPERUD leads the country in power play goals this season with four. Eleven of ASU's 13 goals this season have been on the man-advantage. On the other side of the ice, ASU's penalty kill squad suffocated Denver's power play, leaving the Pioneers with an 11% conversion rate on 17 PP opportunities. On Saturday night in Denver, sophomore netminder COLE BRADY stood on his head with 37 saves - the most by an ASU goalie this season.
KOPPERUD'S season is picking up right where his freshman campaign left off - leading the nation in three offensive categories this year. His nine points, five goals, and four PPG top the NCAA charts through four games. His line mate, freshman JOSH DOAN leads the nation in assists with six followed by TIM LOVELL in second place (5) and KOPPERUD in third (4). DOAN is also in second place for total points with six.
JOHNNY WALKER, JACKSON NIEDERMAYER, and JOSH DOAN, all scored their first goals of the season at Denver last weekend. For DOAN and NIEDERMAYER it was the first collegiate goals of their careers.
JOHNNY WALKER, COLIN THEISEN, TIM LOVELL are on two-game point streaks. MATTHEW KOPPERUD has notched at least two points in every game this season while JOSH DOAN is on a four-game point streak.
HOW TO WATCH
Fans can purchase single game tickets here or watch online through the ASU Live Stream on Friday and the Pac-12 Network on Saturday.