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2022-23 Sun Devil Hockey Recap

by thesundevils.com
Mar 24, 2023

WELCOME TO THE MULLETT: A new era of Sun Devil Hockey commenced this season in Tempe, as Mullett Arena opened its doors for the first time on Oct. 14-15 as the Sun Devils faced Colgate. Mullett Mania was quick to arise when 5,026 fans sold out the first game in Mullett Arena history. The question of who was going to score the first goal in Mullett was floating around all off-season, and of course, who other than Scottsdale native and team captain Josh Doan could score the first goal in Mullett history.  Throughout this inaugural season, the 942 Crew student section didn't let the team down. The student section sold out all 18 games when school was in session. Over 24 home games, ASU averaged an attendance of 4,791. 

HOME SWEEP HOME: The Sun Devils earned their first home sweep in Mullett history against Colorado College on Oct. 21-22. The second weekend at home proved fruitful for the home team as nine different Sun Devils scored, four of which tallied their first goal in the Maroon and Gold. This sweep marked the first of five that occurred at Mullett during its inaugural season. 

SWEEPS AT HOME:
Colorado College - Oct. 21-22, 2022
Alaska Anchorage - Nov. 11-12, 2022
St. Thomas - Jan. 27-28, 2023
Lindenwood - Feb. 17-18, 2023
Long Island - Mar. 10-11, 2023

VIVA LAS VEGAS: ASU did not let the bright lights and big stage of Las Vegas hinder the Sun Devils from their mission. The Sun Devils competed in a desert duel against then-No. 6 University of North Dakota for the first time in the U.S. Hockey Hall of fame Game at T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights. ASU went down 2-1 by the end of the first period, but came back to score two additional goals in the final 40 minutes and hold the Fighting Hawks scoreless. Senior Robert Mastrosimone brought his signature 'Mastro Magic' to Sin City and scored the game-winning goal, his first of the season. The win extends the Sun Devils' undefeated streak in Vegas (3-0) as they were crowned champions of the 2018 Ice Vegas Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. 

DOWN GOES NO. 1: November 26, 2022 goes down as the day ASU earned it's highest ranked win in program history. After dropping the opening game of the series on Friday night, the Sun Devils came back with a vengeance, defeating the Golden Gophers in an overtime blockbuster thriller. The game was the highest-scoring of the season with 11 goals scored between the two teams throughout the duration of the game (10 in regulation and one in overtime). The entire night was a back-and-forth battle and a goal from Ty Jackson with three minutes left in regulation sent the game into overtime. And once again, Mastro Magic came into play during three-on-three overtime as Mastrosimone scored his second game-winning goal of the season to defeat No. 2 Minnesota, 6-5. ASU goaltender TJ Semptimphelter came in clutch for the Sun Devils with 26 saves. 

HOTTEST HOCKEY TOURNAMENT: After a four year hiatus, the Desert Hockey Classic was back in action in Tempe with two ranked teams coming into town. The Sun Devils started out the tournament playing then-No. 16 Michigan Tech, with a final score and 4-2 loss for ASU. Mastrosimone's two goals against the Huskies brought his goal count up to seven and eight. The team bounced back quickly the next night and got a 2-0 victory against Air Force. Semptimphelter had 32 saves against the Falcons, which amounted to his third shutout of the season. 

HELLO, CENTURY CLUB: Head coach Greg Powers reached his 100th NCAA head coaching win this season. On January 27, 2023, the team earned a 4-0 victory over St. Thomas to remain undefeated against the Tommies in program history and secure the career milestone for ASU's bench boss. The Sun Devils went on to earn a clean sweep of St. Thomas at Mullett Arena. 

SHUTOUT SEMPTIMPHELTER: Sophomore netminder TJ Semptimphelter fulfilled all expectations in 2022-23 as an incoming transfer from Northeastern. The New Jersey native put up five shutouts this season to start chasing down the record set by ASU alumni Joey Daccord for most shutouts in Sun Devil Hockey history. Daccord earned eight shutouts in his three-year career. Semptimphelter's five in 2022-23 is second-most in program history behind Daccord. Semptimphelter shutout Bemidji State, Colgate (reached NCAA Tournament berth), Alaska Anchorage, Air Force and St. Thomas.  

THREE NEW SWEATERS: The Sun Devils dropped three new hot uniforms throughout the 2022-23 season. The first uniform was a collaboration with college baseball's greatest tradition, ASU Baseball. The jerseys honored the Barry Bonds Era of the storied program played at Packard Stadium, which remains next door to the build site of Mullett Arena. The Sun Devils revealed the jerseys at Mullett's opening weekend.

The second jersey that ASU brought to life was the Vegas Devils uniform. The Sun Devil's trip to Las Vegas for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game called for a bright, shiny, and new sweater. This jersey carried Vegas luck with it all season as it finished the year with 4-1-0 record and was worn during two top-10 wins (#6 UND and #2 Minnesota). 

The last uniform unveiled was the new Digi Flame. The Devils wore the Digi Flame for the first time on Dec. 30-31, 2022 against Boston College. The team has a record of 3-1-0 when wearing the uniform. 

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