2023-10-19 20:45:48
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TEMPE — After an exciting home opener weekend, No. 18/19 Sun Devil Hockey (2-0-0) returns to the ice to battle the Northern Michigan Wildcats (0-1-1) on Oct 20-21. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. MST on Friday and Saturday. Fans can watch the free ASU Live Stream or listen on Fox Sports 910, the home of Sun Devil Hockey.
The only time the two teams met was during the 2017-18 season when the Sun Devils won, 7-3, in the first round of the Ice Vegas Invitational. ASU went on to win the holiday tournament following defeating Michigan Tech for the program’s first holiday tournament win in program history. The all-time series record is 1-0-0 with ASU looking to add another tally in the win column this weekend.
“I think we just have to keep our eyes on the prize. The guys are getting used to the pace and getting to play, so I think that if we stick to the game plan, work hard and practice everyday, we’ll be all set,” said senior defenseman Tim Lovell.
The Sun Devils took down the No. 15 Merrimack Warriors in a series sweep last weekend, including a 1-0 overtime victory thriller on Friday night and a 4-2 heated win on Saturday night. As a result of the sharp skating and puck handling, ASU entered the national polls for the first time since 2020. Junior goaltender TJ Semptimphelter recorded his sixth career shutout and had a 30-plus save game, while freshman Anthony Dowd made his long-awaited debut. Matthew Kopperud recorded the game-winning goals on both nights and tallied his 25th career power play goal.
On Saturday. Oct. 21, Arizona State ice hockey and the National Hockey League’s Arizona Coyotes will drop the puck at Mullett Arena for their respective competitions, both on the same day. The Coyotes host the Anaheim Ducks at 1 p.m. MST and the Sun Devils host the Wildcats at 7 p.m. MST for the first doubleheader of a shared NHL and NCAA hockey arena in nearly 100 years. The last time an NCAA college team and an NHL team shared an arena was the Boston Bruins (NHL) and Boston University (NCAA) from 1924-28 at Boston Arena, now known as Matthews Arena.
KRAZY FOR COPPER GLASS
The long-awaited return of Matthew Kopperud is finally upon Sun Devil Hockey. The senior scored both game-winning goals in ASU’s opening weekend to steal the lead for most GWG in the country. On Saturday night, Kopperud tallied a goal and an assist for his 20th career mulitpoint game. ASU is 10-10-0 when Kopperud records multiple points in a night. Kopperud also leads all current NCAA skaters in power play goals with 25. He is jnow tied with ASU alum Johnny Walker’s record of 25 career power play goals. The fourth-year Sun Devil dons the ‘A’ this season – it is the first time in his entire hockey career that Kopperud has been a member of a captains group.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
TJ Semptimphelter resumes his reign between this pipes in 2023-24. The junior from New Jersey recorded his sixth career shutout on Friday night once morest No. 15 Merrimack with 31 saves. Semptimphelter was the only NCAA goaltender to earn a shutout once morest a ranked team so far this season (12 shutouts across NCAA). Last season, Semptimphelter recorded five shutouts to tie for fifth in the NCAA. Joey Daccord holds the ASU career record for shutouts with eight.
LUCKY NUMBER 39
Alternate captain and senior forward Ryan O’Reilly opened up the scoring for the Sun Devils on Saturday night with his first goal of the season. Donning the number 39 on his jersey, the Texas native collected his 39th career point.
ASSIST KING
Powers has replaced the first line center role carried last year by Josh Doan and Robert Mastrosimone with graduate transfer Brian Chambers on opening weekend. The Massachusetts native secured his 11th multi-point night on Saturday with two assists following earning an apple on Kopperud’s game-winning overtime goal on Friday night. Chambers is coming off of his best statistical season in college hockey at UMass-Lowell with eight goals and 11 assists.
QUOTES
Tim Lovell
On what the guys liked regarding last weekend and what they talked regarding:
“I think we liked a lot. Everybody is so dialed in, which is different than last year. I think guys were kind of out of the loop at times and that’s obviously what cost us mainly. It’s good that everyone is on the same page and has the same mindset.”
On if they want to avoid specialty teams going into this weekend:
“We had a lot of special teams this past weekend. There were a lot of PK and power plays. Honestly, both special teams looked really good. I think we’ll have no issue with anybody in that aspect. I think we can play with anybody.”
On staying locked in going into this weekend:
“I think we just got to keep our eyes on the prize. With last weekend, obviously, the first couple of games kinda just getting our feet wet. I think the guys are getting used to the pace and getting to play. So I think that if we stick to it, the game plan, work hard and practice everyday, I think we’ll be all set.”
On what the guys liked and talked regarding:
“I think we liked a lot. Everybody is so dialed in, which is different than last year. I think guys were kind of out of the loop at times and that’s obviously what cost us mainly. It’s good that everyone is on the same page and has the same mindset which is really good.”
On if they want to avoid specialty teams going into this weekend:
“We had a lot of special teams this past weekend. There were a lot of PK and power plays. Honestly, both special teams looked really good. I think we’ll have no issue with anybody in that aspect. I think we can play with anybody.”
On Kopp and Lovell relationship:
“I came here my first year when I was a sophomore here and Kopp (Kopperud) was a sophomore as well. Just kinda just fit the same mold a little bit and obviously clicking pretty good, and hopefully we keep that going.”
Anthony Dowd
On how the team can keep the momentum going this weekend:
“For this weekend, I think we stick to a lot of the same things we did last weekend, but fix up a little things here and there and play harder as a team.”
On challenges that Northern Michigan brings:
“They definitely bring a lot of offense, I think. We’re gonna definitely have to tighten up our D-zone and be disciplined all around the ice. Not really give up a lot of odd-man rushes or take penalties because they’re, they do have good special teams. So I think just stay disciplined and play our game.”
On how he feels regarding his game:
“I felt like my game was really good on Saturday.I think it might be a lot better, in aspects, but I thought it was a good first game for me and a good step forward.”
On gelling with new teammates and coaching staff:
“It’s been, it’s been really easy, the coaches make it really easy, to talk to them regarding anything you need to talk regarding. The players on the team, I mean, we’re all so tight already. It feels like I’ve been on the team forever. So it’s been a really easy transition.”
On what the teams ranking means to him:
“That’s awesome, especially as an independent team. Being able to sweep the first weekend is huge and, I think being ranked right out of the gate following the first weekend is unbelievable.
On how the team can keep the momentum going this weekend:
“For this weekend, I think we stick to a lot of the same things we did last weekend, but fix up a little things here and there and play harder as a team.”
On challenges that Northern Michigan brings:
“They definitely bring a lot of offense, I think. We’re gonna definitely have to tighten up our D-zone and be disciplined all around the ice. Not really give up a lot of off end rushes or take penalties because they’re, they do have good special teams. So I think just stay disciplined and play our game.”
On coming into the team over the summer as a freshman:
“It was awesome coming here in the summer. Liane, our strength coach, was also working with us all summer and being with the guys every day, we only had to take one class, so it was awesome. We got a lot of time to spend with each other. The older guys that were here training over the summer here and there, it was awesome to meet them and get to know them before the season started.”
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