Categories: HockeyLatest News

ASU Hockey: Sun Devils to play two against Air Force to open home slate

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

With another weekend comes another ranked opponent for the already battle-tested Arizona State Sun Devils.

ASU will host No. 18 Air Force to open its home slate of games. While the Sun Devils will split games between Gila River Arena and Oceanside Ice Arena this season, this weekend’s contests will both be played at Gila River in Glendale.

Record-wise, the Sun Devils are not as good as they were at this point last year. Two losses on the road to Notre Dame, who is ranked in the top-10, were tough to swallow, but head coach Greg Powers thinks this team is in a better spot long-term than they were last season in their first NCAA campaign.

“We feel so much better this year than last year because of who we played and how we played them,” Powers said. “Even Friday, minus special teams, we were right there. On 5-on-5 we played them to a 2-2 tie.

“We took a huge stride, a huge step forward, and we need to do it again Friday.

Top 6 will be counted on

As Powers has put it multiple times, the first two lines will be imperative to the Sun Devils success. While it isn’t set in stone who Powers will insert in those slots, based off of the first two games it should include David Norris, Tyler Busch, and Wade Murphy on the first offensive line. Dylan Hollman, Brett Gruber, and Louie Rowe are expected to be the second line.

Busch in particular should be a player to watch. He scored a goal in each of the first two games of the season and has made an impact defensively.

As captain, Hollman had already been impactful too, assisting on a goal and being one of the few Sun Devils to not commit a penalty.

All six will almost certainly play key roles on both Friday and Sunday in ASU’s offensive success.

Uncertain Goalie Situation

The three-man controversy in net rages on into the second week of the season. Joey Daccord and Robert Levin each got starts against the Fighting Irish. Daccord struggled, but Powers discounted his performance because of the abundance of powerplays he had to face.

Levin was someone who really stepped up and kept ASU in the game on Saturday, saving 33 of 36 shots. Powers had high praise for him, saying that he played tremendous.

On the same token, Powers realizes that they possess two younger goalies (Daccord and Ryland Pashovitz) with a lot of potential.

“We have two young kids that we are going to have to play,” he said. “We want them to develop and play. Joey Daccord came here to develop further into an NHL goalie. He’s going to play and he’s fine. We will figure it out as we go.”

Pashovitz got off to a slow start during spring practices and did not make the trip to South Bend, but expect him to play sooner rather than later, even if it is this weekend.

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

Jacob Janower

Jacob Janower is a junior sports journalism student at Arizona State. You can follow him on Twitter @JanowerJacob or contact him by email jjanower@gmail.com

Recent Posts

Skinner’s career night propels ASU to narrow victory in season opener

(Photo credit: Aishling Cavanaugh/WCSN) TEMPE — With Desert Financial Arena buzzing, Arizona State found itself…

8 hours ago

Sun Devils prepare for Big 12 debut in Adair’s third year

(Photo credit: Marina Willams/WCSN) Excitement is brewing for Arizona State women’s basketball as the Sun…

21 hours ago

Sun Devils put up complete performance in fall exhibition against GCU

(Photo: Maya Diaz/WCSN) As warmup music echoed throughout GCU ballpark, baseball bats pinged and cleats…

2 days ago

Takeaways: Sun Devils Clinch Bowl Eligibility With Win Over Oklahoma State

With 22 seconds remaining in the first half Arizona State football found itself a single…

3 days ago

No. 13 Sun Devils Extend Win Streak to 10, Earn Season Sweep Over No. 22 Utah

(Photo: Katherine Gore/WCSN) In a match one month ago, No. 13 Arizona State Volleyball won…

3 days ago

Sun Devil arms against pros in exhibition against USA Baseball

(Photo: Austin Hurst/WCSN) PHOENIX - Senior right-handed pitcher Jack Martinez walked off the mound in…

3 days ago