Follow the NCAA's Arizona State Sun Devils with Arizona Telegraph beat writer Scotty S. Keiser

[Colorado]

An FHM 10 game from the perspective of fictional sports journalist Scotty S. Keiser of the fictional Arizona Telegraph newspaper, who will be covering the Arizona State Sun Devils for a sixth consecutive year. The team are taking a new direction after a disappointing 2022/23 season...

SUN DEVILS APPOINT BENJAMIN AYALA AS NEW GM/HEAD COACH
BY SCOTTY S. KEISER

TEMPE, AZ., September 17, 2023 — ASU Athletic Director Rory Huntly is hoping inexperienced coach Benjamin Ayala can turnaround the Sun Devils’ NCAA hockey fortunes after appointing the 42-year-old in a dual general manager-head coach role.

Huntly has identified California-born Ayala to rebuild ASU’s hockey programme as the Sun Devils prepare for their ninth season in the NCAA programme. Ayala is tasked with overseeing a major period of redevelopment with 12 senior players aiming to graduate at the end of the coming season, whilst 12 newly-recruited freshmen have recently been added to their NCAA Division 1 roster.

ASU will once again compete as an independent after finishing last season with an 18-21-0 record. Despite finishing below .500, the Sun Devils posted their best average attendance on record, selling out the 4,600 capacity Mullett Arena for the entirety of last season. With that in mind, the Sun Devils are targeting a winning season for the first time in four years.

Since debuting in 2015, ASU have achieved winning records on just two occasions, reaching the NCAA Division 1 Play Offs for the only time in 2019. If the Sun Devils are to deliver a winning season this time around, Ayala must figure out how to replace last season’s leading points scorers Robert Mastrosimone and Josh Doan from last season following their graduation from ASU.

Mastrosimone (11+31=42 points) recently announced his decision to turn semi-pro, whilst Arizona Coyotes draftee Doan (16+22=38) is expected to continue his professional career with a full season with Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. Doan leaves the Sun Devils as the team’s all-time point and assist leader (75 points, 47 assists).

ASU will play four pre-season games beginning next Friday in Minnesota against the Bemidji State Beavers, before returning to Tempe to face RMU Colonials on home ice the following Monday. The Sun Devils will start the regular season with a four-game homestand, facing against the Merrimack Warriors on opening night on October 13.

[Colorado]

AYALA RINGS THE CHANGES ON SUN DEVILS BENCH
BY SCOTTY S. KEISER

TEMPE, AZ., September 21, 2023 — New Sun Devils General Manager/Head Coach Benjamin Ayala has announced major changes to the team’s bench for the upcoming season.

Four European-based coaches will replace last season’s coaching staff in addition to multiple changes to the team’s scouting personnel.

Ayala has confirmed Finnish coaches Jarno Suokko and Timo Nykopp have been appointed as the team’s offensive and skills coaches, while Richard Jares, from the Czech Republic, becomes defensive coach and Nathan Craze, from Wales, joins as new goalie coach.

All four coaches have already arrived in Tempe and have started their new roles immediately as the Sun Devils prepare for their first pre-season game, a week tomorrow in Minnesota against the Bemidji State Beavers.

The Sun Devils have also expanded their scouting network and will now operate with 10 full-time scouts operating across the United States and Canada, with Phoenix-born Scott Mason becoming the team’s first dedicated Arizona-based scout.

Ayala is understood to be keen on developing Arizona-based talent through ASU and believes Mason’s appointment will help drive this ambition.

The team has made one transaction this week with freshman goalie Chase Hamm being released.

The 21-year-old joined the programme earlier this summer after playing for OCN Blizzard in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League last season but was deemed surplus with the team carrying three other goalies.

[beepollen]

#ForksUp

[Colorado]

LOVELL GIVES SUN DEVILS OPENING NIGHT BOOST
BY SCOTTY S. KEISER

TEMPE, AZ., October 12, 2023 — Senior defenceman Tim Lovell has recovered in time for the Arizona State Sun Devils’ season opener against Merrimack Warriors tomorrow night at the Mullett Arena.

The highly-rated 21-year-old is expected to log major minutes on the blueline in both 5 on 5 and special teams but suffered an ankle injury in the Sun Devils’ first pre-season game, a 3-1 defeat to Bemidji State Beavers, that forced him to miss the rest of their exhibition schedule.

In his absence, ASU went unbeaten in regulation time for the rest of pre-season, finishing with a 2-1-1 record.

Senior forwards Brian Chambers and Lukas Sillinger and junior defenceman Ethan Szmagaj led the team in points pre-season, each posting 1 goal and three assists. Senior centreman Alex Young led the team with three goals.

Goaltenders T.J. Semtimphelter and Gibson Homer split the four games and freshman Homer could be in line to start on opening night after two wins and a 2.00 GAA and .913 SV% record.

Merrimack will arrive in Tempe for back-to-back games coming off a heavy 5-1 loss at Sacred Heart Pioneers in their season opener.

Zachary Borgiel turned away 26 of 31 shots in net for the Warriors who were outshot 31-17.

AROUND THE NCAA...
Michigan Wolverines of the Big 10 start the new NCAA Division 1 season as favourites to win the championship but Maine Black Bears (Hockey East) and the Denver Pioneers (NCHC) also expected to seriously contend.

North Dakota Fighting Hawks (NCHC), who have announced season tickets sales of over 8,000 for this season, should also be a force.

[Colorado]

GM AYALA SAYS SUN DEVILS NEED TO BE BETTER
BY SCOTTY S. KEISER

TEMPE, AZ., October 20, 2023 — General manager/head coach Benjamin Ayala has told his Arizona State Sun Devils team that they must improve after suffering back-to-back defeats last weekend.

The Sun Devils got their season off to a disappointing start losing 4-0 and 5-2 to the Merrimack Warriors, in what were Ayala's first games in charge of the team following his summer appointment at ASU.

After being blanked on opening night, Matthew Kooperud scored two goals but the Sun Devils would drop points for a consecutive game on home ice, getting outshot 71-33 across the both contests.

“We started too slow in both games and it cost us. We need to start quicker, get our game going earlier and start to make the difference,” said Ayala.

The Sun Devils can expect another difficult test against the visiting Northern Michigan. The Wildcats are off to a 2-0-0 start and were ranked second-place in this week’s College Hockey Poll.

[Colorado]

TABAKIN'S OT WINNER CLINCHES SUN DEVILS WINNING WEEKEND
BY SCOTTY S. KEISER

TEMPE, AZ., November 5, 2023 — ASU (3-3-2) celebrated their first winning weekend of the NCAA season last night, after Brandon Tabakin's overtime winner sealed back-to-back wins over the Stonehill Skyhawks (2-2-5).

The two teams exchanged power play markers in the first period with Lukas Sillinger putting the Sun Devils ahead at 9:31 before William Tripp replied at 15:54.

Following two scoreless periods, Tabakin struck 1:10 into overtime with Sillinger claiming his second point of the night to earn ASU a 2-1 triumph.

Sun Devils starter T.J. Semptimphelter recorded his first win of the season and made 22 saves on the night for ASU. Visiting goaltender Dylan Ghaemi stopped 23 shots.

That came after Friday night's 4-1 victory ended a run of three-straight defeats for the Sun Devils.

Freshman Cole Gordon was drafted in to make his debut for ASU this weekend as injury cover.

The centerman made an immediate impacting registering a goal and an assist to cap a memorable debut following his arrival from the NAHL's Minnesota Wilderness.

Ryan Alexander scored short-handed in the second period to add to Tim Lovell's powerplay goal in the first.

Alex Young then added a third after the Skyhawks had cut ASU's lead to 2-1, before Gordon completed the scoring.

Gibson Homer made 22 saves in net for the Sun Devils.

AROUND THE NCAA...
Despite the back-to-back wins, there's no place for Arizona in the latest College Hockey Poll. Princeton Tigers (2-0-0) are polled at #1, followed by Boston College (7-1-0), Harvard (3-0-1), St. Lawrence (6-1-1) and Miami (6-1-1).

This Friday, all NCAA Division 1 teams will participate in National Signing Day as recruitment plans for next season get firmly put into place. Any confirmed recruits will join their respective new organisations on July 1.

[Colorado]

SUN DEVILS SNAP LOSING STREAK
BY SCOTTY S. KEISER

TEMPE, AZ., November 27, 2023 — The Arizona State Sun Devils improved to 4-6-4 after a much needed 3-0 win over Providence Friars.

The victory snaps a four-game winless run that had dampened hopes of ASU making the postseason.

The Sun Devils scored twice in the second period with Ryan O’Reilly’s powerplay marker adding to Brandon Tabakin’s opener.

Ty Murchson closed out the win in the final seconds, with a short-handed empty-netter and Gibson Homer (3-4) recorded his first shutout of the season with 16 saves.

Friday night’s 2-1 loss to Providence resulted in coach Benjamin Ayala reshuffling ASU’s forward lines.

Center Luke Sillinger moved up to the top line with Ryan Alexander dropping to the second line. Ty Jackson returned to center the third line after missing the past four weeks recovering from a neck injury.

“We made some changes and I’m pleased we’ve picked up a win”, said Ayala post-game.

“We haven’t had the results we’ve wanted the past few weekends, but there hasn’t been much difference between us and the teams we’ve faced.

“We decided to freshen up our top-two lines a little and hope that gives us a lift.”

The Sun Devils start December with a weekend road visit to Colorado College (5-4-3).

AROUND THE NCAA…
Last week’s College Hockey Poll has Boston College (10-2-0), Princeton (5-1-0), RPI (8-2-0), Denver (9-2-1) and St Cloud State (8-1-3) occupying the top-five places. ASU are yet to feature in the top-20 this season.

[Colorado]

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.

[Colorado]

SUN DEVILS CRACK RANKINGS POLL TO BOOST ASU POSTSEASON HOPES
BY SCOTTY S. KEISER

TEMPE, AZ., February 29, 2024 — It’s better late than never for ASU hockey as the Sun Devils finally cracked the latest College Hockey Poll for the first time this season.

ASU completed a four-game series going 3-1 against the Alaska Nanooks to finally force their way into the NCAA top-20 rankings.

The announcement of today's latest rankings saw the Sun Devils (18-11-5) listed at #18 as a result of their improved form in the second half of the season.

Heading into the final month of the regular season, the question now is can ASU maintain that top-20 spot throughout their final four games and reach the postseason for the first time since 2019?

Fellow independents Long Island (15-17-1) are the final visitors of the regular season to Mullett Arena this weekend.

ASU will then wrap things up with a long trip to Anchorage, Alaska, to face the Seawolves (16-11-3).

“We’ve worked our way into this position, now it’s about staying there across these next two weekends and seeing what happens,” said GM/Coach Benjamin Ayala.

“It’s a credit to the players and their hard work for being recognised in the NCAA rankings, now it’s time for focus and for our senior players to graduate from ASU in the best way possible.”

College Hockey Poll (Feb 26th)
#1 Wisconsin
#2 American International
#3 Boston College
#4 St. Cloud State
#5 UMass
#6 Clarkson
#7 Sacred Heart
#8 Air Force
#9 Minnesota
#10 Colorado College
#11 Denver
#12 Boston University
#13 Cornell
#14 Merrimack
#15 Ferris State
#16 Western Michigan
#17 Lake Superior
#18 Arizona State
#19 Northern Michigan
#20 RPI