Arizona State women’s hockey hits the road this weekend as they travel to Ohio to face off against No. 6 Miami Friday, Feb. 9 and 10 and Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 11.
The team clinched a playoff spot after a sweep over Denver las weekend and is looking to use these games against two unfamiliar teams as a chance to prepare for the playoffs.
“I think this is a perfect chance for them to show what they have to the country and be able to bring that into playoffs and bring that energy ,” head coach Lindsey Ellis said. “They are all very excited, I think it shows in practice. It just keeps getting better, the energy.”
Coming off of two wins against Denver, the team is feeling more positive about the upcoming contests.
With ASU coming in as an underlooked team, it is more motivation for them to work even harder.
“You always love an underdog. You want to beat a team that doesn’t expect it,” forward Erin Rawls said. “If they come in cocky you want to say, ‘Okay well let’s play the game,’ and stick it to them.”
The main focus for Rawls as she is coming back is to make sure she is able to keep up with the team. The sophomore returned to the ice last weekend after being out 120 days with an injury.
“To keep up with the speed of the team and to just handle the puck well and to make the easy plays, more smarter not harder, and do the best I can,” Rawls said.
With players being able to play different positions, it gives the Sun Devils a benefit because of the advantage of having players switch.
Alyssa Ayers is one of those examples.
She played as a forward early in the season but now plays on the blue line.
“At first it was a little difficult just because I didn’t know what I was doing,” Ayers said.”Skating with KC, Molly, and Brooke back there helps a lot. They usually yell at me telling me get out of the way, or Jordan especially she will be like ‘I can’t see’ so that helps a lot. Getting to play in practice more as a [defenseman] helps a lot switching over to the games.”
The team will continue to work as they are and keep using the skills they have in the games to come.
“We are not preparing any different way but we do know that it is a harder team we will be facing,” Ellis said.
The playoff bid the team recently earned was the first they had earned as a program and the team is very excited for the postseason.
“It’s awesome,” Ayers said. “I am so excited and then to be apart of the first playoff bid for ASU that’s awesome to be apart of history.”
