ASU Hockey: Sun Devils host No. 13 Harvard for weekend series

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

In what will be the season opener for No. 13 Harvard, Arizona State (1-5-0) welcomes the Ivy League goliath to Gila River Arena tonight in the team’s return to Glendale.

Harvard has played one game this season, a 5-2 exhibition win over the U.S. U-18 National Team, the same team ASU closed its 2015-16 slate with. In that contest, Harvard committed 11 penalties and spent a total of 22 minutes in the penalty box. The Crimson were ultimately able to kill all but one infraction and were able to score on one of their six power plays.

For Arizona State, penalties have been in abundance over the course of the first six games. The Sun Devils lead the country in both penalties and penalty minutes by a wide margin – 71 penalties for 204 total minutes. Tonight, the focus will be on the special teams to erase the inevitable mistakes Arizona State will make, which hasn’t been a problem in the past.

Although the Sun Devils have allowed the most opportunity for power play goals, they rank 45th in the country in terms of killing the chances of the opposition. 77.8 percent of the time, the defense is able to hold of the advantage.

The focal point of the Sun Devil offense has become the line of redshirt sophomore Dylan Hollman, graduate transfer Robbie Baillargeon and redshirt junior Wade Murphy.

Last weekend in Boston, the line accounted for all three of the Sun Devil goals.

In net, Powers will turn the reigns over to freshman Joey Daccord, who struggled in his start against Northeastern last Friday. Before he was pulled in the first period, Daccord allowed three goals. Head coach Greg Powers has reiterated his confidence in Daccord, however, and viewed that game as an anomaly.

For Harvard, Merrick Madsen will get the nod.

Madsen minded the net for the Crimson in that U-18 exhibition and returned positive results, coming up with 25 saves and just two goals allowed.

Harvard will be looking for its footing early on after losing seven seniors, but expect Alexander Kerfoot to be involved one way or another. The now senior finished second on the team in points last season with 34, 30 coming by way of an assist.

Powers mentioned that this team will be fresh, but the fact that they are unheralded early on is an advantage in favor of Arizona State.

The Sun Devils, who are now 1-5-0 on the season, are in desperate need of any advantage they can get entering tonight.