
“Coming out swinging” might have been a perfect way to phrase the ASU club hockey team ’s first game against Texas A&M last Thursday.
The No. 4 Sun Devils may have been the more exhausted team after their 13-0 rout over the Aggies.
Texas A&M goalie Tony Girard was blistered with 96 shots, proving his performance was better than the scoreboard showed.
ASU coach Greg Powers expects nothing less from his offense moving forward.
“We know we have the ability in our locker room to beat anyone,” he said, “so if the effort is there, generally the outcome will take care of itself.”
That ability spoke for itself, as ten different Sun Devils scored on Thursday.
Freshman talent shined through, as late additions Jordan Young and Stephen Collins each put two shots in the back of the net.
Across the ice, Sun Devil goaltenders Joseph D’Elia and Corey Frank continued to split time saving Texas A&M’s mere six shots on goal.
A permanent goaltender has yet to emerge and cement his spot at the position, however.
“Right now I certainly won’t base anything off what I saw in that game.” Powers said. “We have three very good goalies and it’s important to not forget about Kyle Dietriech…I have confidence in all three.”
If the Sun Devils only worry about which of the three capable goalies to play, the sky is the limit.
Texas A&M could not keep up to par with ASU at any point in the game, as all three phases were superb.
“I just really wanted to see a strong effort and out work them in all three zones,” Powers said. “That is really what we are trying to preach here…”
Powers knows the same — if not more — intensity will be needed this weekend against No. 19 UA.
“I would like us to be more physical this weekend…we are going to have to be to win,” he said.
Powers went onto say he expects a heated rivalry as always saying, “We know what they are trying to do tactically and they know what we are trying to do because we play so many times.”
UA is coming off two high scoring victories over NAU this past weekend and looks to end a 24-game losing streak against ASU.
The Territorial Cup two-game series begins Friday night at 8 p.m. at Oceanside Ice Arena. Game 2 will be Saturday night at 7 p.m.
Reach the reporter at msterrel@asu.edu