# #

Hockey Seeks Revenge Against #12 DU

by thesundevils.com
Nov 30, 2021

TEMPE, Ariz. – After a ranked series split, a broken glass pane and a Sports Center worthy save from Ben Kraws in last weekend's Thanksgiving series against No. 20 Bemidji State, the Arizona State men's ice hockey team (7-7-0) continues its home stand this weekend. Familiar foe, No. 12 University of Denver (8-4-0) comes to town for two games at Oceanside Ice Arena on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4. Puck drop for both games is set for 7:05 pm MST on the ASU Live Stream and Pac-12 Insider. 

DU is no stranger to The Sun Devils this season, as ASU made the trip to Colorado in early October for their first roadie of the season, but dropped both games against the Pioneers. The smallest margin of defeat against DU in the two program's history, was game two of the series this season in a close 4-3 loss.

"We didn't play fast, we didn't play physical (in the first meeting) and we have to against that team if we are going to have a chance at beating them," said head coach Greg Powers recalling the two ASU losses in the first meeting this season. "They're too deep, and too skilled, and too good… you have to let them know you're here to compete from the first shift."

The Pioneers only game at Oceanside Ice Arena was in 2019, and is the only time in six meetings that the Sun Devils defeated the Pioneers in a 4-1 win. 

And who could forget the great uni debate?
 

"I think they're going to be better than what we saw in the first series, and we certainly believe we are a lot better than what they saw," as Coach Powers noted on playing the same team in two series. 

With the ASU win over the Beavers on Friday, the Sun Devils' home record improved to 6-2 at Oceanside this season, making them 30-7-3 at home dating back to the 2018-19 season. The 6-4 win against BSU last week was a full-60 minute effort that saw six goals from six different players and a dominant performance by starting goaltender, Kraws. ASU led the offensive generation, leading the score through the final two periods on Friday night. 

Demetrios Koumontzis finished the weekend with three points from two goals and an assist. The series against BSU is the first that Koumontzis scored a goal in both games against the same opponent. Matthew Kopperud also tallied three points against the Beavers (1G, 2A) - out of 14 games played, Koppperud has notched at least one point in all but three matchups. Colin Theisen landed everywhere on the scoresheet, collecting four points over the Thanksgiving series. The graduate player assisted on three goals before scoring his own on Friday night. Freshman Josh Doan recorded three points this weekend, including two assists. He leads the NCAA in assists by a freshman with 13 this season. 

The Oceanside effect is real and provides one of the most dominant home arenas in the NCAA (and brings forth some great moments like these).

The Pioneers had Thanksgiving off last week and have not played since their home series against Miami (OH) and despite their lack of play, they've remained at #12 in the USCHO polls. DU is riding a four-game win streak heading into this weekend. With seven of their eight wins coming at home, the Pioneers have compiled just a 1-4 record on the road.  

"They're really good at home, and we're really good at home too. Hopefully we flip the script and get a couple of wins."

HISTORY VS. DENVER (6 games, 1-4-1)
January 6, 2017- L, 1-5
January 7, 2017- L, 1-6
December 6, 2019- W, 4-1
December 7, 2019- T, 2-2
October 8, 2021- L, 3-8
October 9, 2021- L, 3-4
 

Related News & Videos