ASU Men’s Hockey: Sun Devils’ Game 1 vs. Wisconsin postponed due to COVID-19 issues

(Photo: Kylee Meter/WCSN)

Arizona State Men’s Hockey (5-9-2) will have to wait an extra day before facing off against the No. 12 ranked Wisconsin Badgers (6-6).

Due to potential positive tests within the Sun Devils’ program, Friday’s game will now take place on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Saturday’s game is still on track to be played at 6 p.m. as scheduled.

ASU announced the postponement in a short release on Friday but did not indicate whether any players or coaches had tested positive, saying only that the game would be delayed for “precautionary reasons in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines.”

Prior to Friday, ASU said it had managed to stay completely COVID-19 free. Following the Sun Devils’ win over Ohio State on Dec. 18, 2020, head coach Greg Powers boasted to the media about the team’s lack of cases over the first half of the season.

“What’s amazing is we got through this [road trip] with zero positive tests,” Powers said. “We did this to create a safe bubble so our guys could play and it worked.”

The news comes at a particularly bad time for the Sun Devils, who already have several key players out due to injury, including senior defenseman and team co-captain Jacob Wilson. With a tough schedule upcoming and presumptive absences due to COVID-19, ASU’s long odds to make the NCAA tournament could be even longer.

The Sun Devils’ 2020-21 season has been marked by adversity from the start. A schedule made up entirely of road games, constant injuries and losses in close games have all contributed to ASU’s 5-9-2 record. After a three-game win streak in late November and early December that included a sweep of Wisconsin, the Sun Devils have managed only two wins in their last nine outings. Now, with the team facing a potential COVID-19 scare, things may only get tougher.