(Photo: Marina Williams/WCSN)
Mullett Arena opens its doors back up to fans this Friday and Saturday for Arizona State men’s ice hockey’s highly anticipated two-game home opener versus the No. 10 Michigan Wolverines.
The Sun Devils’ (1-1) road series split against Air Force the previous weekend saw them flash the immense potential the team possesses when everything is clicking in a 8-1 victory before following up with a 4-3 loss in overtime that spotlighted areas for improvement.
Amongst the positives was the strong impressions made by the team’s newest members. Graduate defenseman Noah Beck, a transfer from Clarkson University, put up five points and five assists on the way to being named NCHC Defenseman of the Week. On the other hand, a first career hat-trick and a NCAA-leading six points helped junior forward and Providence transfer Bennett Schimek receive NCHC Forward of the Week honors.
“It was a big honor,” Schimek said. “I think it speaks volumes of the team. We definitely could not have done it without our teammates putting us in good positions as well as the coaching staff.”
Freshman forward Cullen Potter also didn’t disappoint in his maroon and gold debut, scoring two points and recording his first collegiate goal in the first game of the season.
“I think it’s huge,” Potter said. “It’s a big deal for me, my family, my friends that watch me play, and also just big for the team too because we won our first game.”
Another promising development for ASU is in the play in between the pipes. Junior goaltender Gibson Homer was outstanding in his first start to the point of managing a 0.964 save percentage, and despite surrendering four goals against, senior backup goaltender Luke Pavicich recorded 29 saves.
“I’m very happy with the goal tending moving forward,” head coach Greg Powers said. “I foresee, you know, Gibby probably getting the line share but I think Luke deserves another chance to get a win and I would expect him to get one sooner rather than later.”
The main takeaway from the second game in Colorado Springs is that ASU being unable to remain consistent on special teams can cost them wins. The power play, in particular, failed to capitalize on three separate occasions after going 2-for-2 the day before. While the penalty kill prevailed nine out of ten attempts during the series, the Sun Devils’ lack of discipline mirrors their over reliance on playing shorthanded last season.
Health in the forward core is also an issue to look for with graduate Artem Schlaine, junior Cruz Lucius, and junior Charlie Schoen being sidelined for the second straight week.
As a program, the Michigan Wolverines (1-1) need little introduction, coming off a season that included a Big Ten championship and a berth in the Frozen Four for a third straight year. A split versus Minnesota State to open the season though has UM sharing a host of connections with ASU in more ways than one.
In terms of previous history, the Sun Devils sport a 0-6-1 record against the Wolverines. The last matchup between the two teams was a 1-1 tie during the 2020-21 season when ASU became a temporary member of the Big Ten due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On a team level, Michigan possesses similar strengths and weaknesses.
A 7-for-7 showing from the penalty kill was matched by going 1-for-7 on the power play and amassing nine total penalties.
A veteran core that includes graduate defenseman Jacob Truscott and junior forward T.J. Hughes, both preseason Big Ten second-team selections, will have to make up for an offseason that saw 56% of the team’s scoring depart.
Furthermore, centre Michael Hage is the Wolverines’ answer to Cullen Potter; an NHL-caliber talent selected in the first round by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 draft who is now leading all freshmen in points.
Yet, the most obvious string attaching Michigan and ASU together is graduate defenseman Tim Lovell. The Hobey Baker Award Nominee returns to the arena he called home for three seasons after transferring to Michigan over the summer.
“Timmy meant so much to our program and was the most dynamic player we probably had in our program today,” Powers said. “I’ll be cheering for him all season minus two games.”
What separates the two apart is the Wolverines having to rely on a new netminder. Freshman Cameron Korpi recorded 24 saves in a 4-1 victory while graduate transfer Logan Stein gave up five goals against in a debut defeat.
If the Sun Devils are looking to make a statement towards legitimacy this season, look no further than taking on Michigan in front of the loving confines of Mullett Arena.
“It should be a great atmosphere,” Powers said. “We’re hoping that all the kids skip school or get out early and we’re hoping that everybody stops working.”
