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ASU D1 Hockey: Sun Devils ready for Cactus Cup showdown against rival Wildcats

(Photo: Allyson Cummings/WCSN)

This weekend, No. 1 ASU and No. 18 UA face off in a Cactus Cup Showdown at Oceanside Ice Arena. It’s no coincidence that the ACHA National Championship banner will be raised Saturday night, with some of last year’s now-departed players expected to attend.

“[The team] owes it to those guys to show up and play hard,” said ASU head coach Greg Powers. “We want to make sure that they know that they’re not untouchable, and if they don’t show up and play the way they can play, then [UA] can beat us.”

UA will roll into ASU’s home ice without fear at 2-1 on the season, coming off a dramatic 6-5 shootout victory over Liberty University. Trailing 5-2 with a little over 9 minutes left in the game, the Wildcats rallied with Alex O’Dea scoring the game-tying goal. Freshman forward Alex Nespor also looks to be a contributing factor and currently leads the Wildcats with eight points.

The Sun Devils boast an unblemished 6-0 record, outscoring the opposition 42-9 so far this season. Fresh off an impressive weekend sweep over a tough Minot State team, ASU will look to keep the ball rolling.

Of course, all records and past accomplishments go out the window when these two schools meet. Look no further than last year for evidence. With ASU nursing 37 consecutive wins versus UA, the Wildcats pulled out a 2-1 victory on senior night.

UA knows a thing or two about winning streaks, after having won 64 straight against the Sun Devils back in the day. Coincidentally, the Sun Devils snapped that streak with none other than Hall of Fame goalie Greg Powers in net. After having experienced the rivalry both as a player and coach for almost 20 years, Powers has a firsthand feel for how unique and special these games are.

“This series is different in every way. We have conference rivals and teams in our league like Minot State, but this ASU and UA. You don’t beat a team 39 out of 40 times and beat them 8 times a season…this series really lets us be focused,” Powers said.

After a near bench-clearing brawl last season between the two squads, physicality and chippiness will be at a premium in these games. Some of the more nationally known rivalries may get more hype but despite being overlooked this may be the best of all. With bad blood and emotions running high, coach Powers believes this one is unlike most others.

“I grew up in the Midwest and have been around a lot of different schools and I really believe the ASU and UA rivalry is so much more heated. I have never been around anything like it. I love it,” Powers said.

ASU leading scorer Tommy Cooney will look to keep his point-per-game pace going, already totaling five goals and six assists in the opening weeks. ASU may not need much offensive production to win, at least not after Robert Levin seems to have found his groove again just in time for the biggest game so far this year. Both returner and new recruit are expected to step up.

“When I recruit [newcomers] and educate them on the rivalry, it’s made abundantly clear that these games during the regular season is where the can earn their stripes,” said Powers.

Both games begin at 7:30. You can catch the live broadcast right here on Cronkite Sports.