|
GOOD TIMES ROLL FOR ASU
BY SCOTTY S. KEISER
TEMPE, AZ., January 26, 2024 — ASU are the hottest team in NCAA hockey - even if league pollsters don’t agree.
The Sun Devils are 14-10-4 after turning around their fortunes with a run of seven-consecutive wins, the best current streak in NCAA Division 1.
After three-successive weekends of back-to-back wins, the team have enjoyed a well earned rest with a blank weekend slated on their schedule. They return to Mullett Arena on Friday for the first of two games against Lindenwood, who’re 9-13-0.
ASU’s last defeat in Tempe was December 9th but despite their run, the Sun Devils remain ignored by the latest College Hockey Poll.
According to this week’s poll, the 20th-ranked team are Lake Superior with a 15-10-2 for the season. Notably, Clarkson are 15th despite having won a game less than ASU with a 13-8-3 record. The Sun Devils have not made the top-20 all season but cannot be ignored for much longer if they can maintain their current form.
Head coach Benjamin Ayala insists the team just need to focus on doing the right things: “We’ve been on a great run and we need that to continue. We need to maintain the standards we’re setting ourselves and everyone has to keep buying into what we’re trying to do.
“All we can do is focus on ourselves and give them a decision to make.”
Top-line left-wing Matthew Kopperud will be missing for at least this weekend having undergone surgery for a hyperextended knee. Koopperud, is in his final year at ASU and the team say they will assess his situation again next week before games against Alaska Nanooks.
ASU have 10 games left to establish a postseason position.
|