(Photo: Patricia Vicente/WCSN)
Arizona State is preparing to face their in-state rival Grand Canyon in their last regular season game.
“Obviously with it being the in-state rivalry, both teams play their absolute best when we play each other,” head coach Lindsey Ellis said. “It’s really important to be able to make those quick decisions, get quick shots on net and a lot of shots on net because we know it’s going to be a close game.”
ASU has won all four games against GCU this season. Through frequent meetings with GCU, ASU knows what they have to do to get the win tonight.
“I think their neutral zone is the best part of their game. They can kind of get through the neutral zone really quickly,” ASU forward Erin Rawls said. “I think something really important for us is to break that up and clog up their passing lanes and their systems and force them to skate the puck, use our angles, just play hard man-on-man.”
GCU is competing for a spot in the WWCHL playoffs, which begin in one week. Many youth hockey programs will also come to watch this matchup, which is a big deal for both GCU and ASU. As the youth community in the state of Arizona continues to develop, both teams aspire to be role models for the next generation.
“I think it’s really good for our community to have young girls come out and see the college players work their butts off and see what it takes,” said Rawls.
Despite their confidence, they still want to prove the type of team they are going into the playoffs where they will have to face much tougher opponents.
Puck drop will be at GCU’s AZ Ice Arcadia at 6:30 p.m. where the Antelopes have only won one game this season.
