Over the past few months, the play of ASU's ice hockey club has resembled a Zamboni --easily sweeping up the ice with its competition.
After starting the year with a disappointing record of 2-8, the Ice Devils have won 11 of their last 13 games, including 9 of their last 11 at home.
The early losses did not damage the Ice Devils' cool.
"Coach sat us down after our bad start and told us we needed to come together as a team," sophomore forward Joe Ahern said.
The Ice Devils shook off their early struggles and found a way to win several key matchups, including a two-game sweep of UA in early December.
"Sweeping UA was when it all clicked," Ahern said. "We started playing together, which helped us put the puck in the back of the net."
Last weekend, ASU (13-10) swept Towson 9-1 in consecutive games.
Following Friday night's loss, Towson (4-10-1), a small Division I school from Baltimore, bounced back by playing ASU tough in the first period of Saturday night's rematch.
Despite giving up an early goal to ASU defenseman Matt Hutchins, the Tigers answered with a goal of their own from forward John Trantin just before the end of the first period.
"I told the guys that we needed to continue our positive momentum from the night before," ASU coach Mike De Angelis said.
The Ice Devils followed their coach's instructions, outscoring the Tigers 5-0 in the second period. The run included two goals by Ahern within 19 seconds of each other.
Eight different players scored a goal for ASU Saturday, including top-scorer Ahern, who had two goals and an assist.
De Angelis said that it would be important for ASU to remain focused on their upcoming schedule.
"We've got a two week break before our next opponent," he said. "We'll have lots of practice before we leave, and we'll be sure to go hard for the next few weeks."
ASU travels to Oklahoma Jan. 27-28. The Sooners will be looking for revenge after being swept at the Alltel Ice Den last November.
After the last road series of the season, the Ice Devils will return home and face UA on Feb. 3 and 4, followed by Weber State the following weekend.
Reach the reporter at edward.price@asu.edu.
