Before a game, coach Powers goes over the game and plan for the night. (Photo by Ana Ramirez)ASU hockey coach Greg Powers made no secret before the season that this season's schedule will be the toughest this program has faced to date.
Heading on the road to face No. 5 Central Oklahoma (9-0-0) and No. 3 Oklahoma (6-2-0) over the span of three days, the No. 1 Sun Devils (8-0-0) will have to prove yet again that they're up to the challenge.
Challenged with facing two top-five opponents in over the course of three days, Powers is preaching patience.
"It's the old saying, one game at a time," he said. "Anyone that goes into Oklahoma City and pays more attention to one of those teams is asking to get beat. They are both very, very good, so all you can do is focus on one game at a time, which is what we will do."
ASU's depth will be tested this weekend, having to play the additional third game this weekend while dealing with some injury concerns. However, Powers said he views his team's depth as a strength.
"This is where having four lines of guys who can really play pays off," he said. "It's important especially in the first game that all four lines are going, so we can preserve our legs for the rest of the weekend."
After opening conference play with last weekend's Cactus Cup sweep over UA, the three-game set this weekend brings WCHL play into full swing for ASU.
"(Conference games) are big, and winning our league is always one of our main goals so we would really like to go into Oklahoma City and gain some serious separation this weekend," Powers said.
ASU already has an impressive early resume, going a perfect 6-0 against teams in the top 25 in the nation (Niagara, Minot State, UA) in posting an undefeated record. Powers, however, said there is still work to do.
"Going 8-0 (on the season) is great, but we still haven't put together a full 60 minutes of hockey," he said. "To get three wins this weekend, we will have to."
An area of continued improvement for the Sun Devils has been in net with sophomore goaltender Robert Levin. After giving up three goals in each of his first two games this season, he has given up just four goals total over his last five starts to boost his save percentage to 0.943 and his goals allowed average (GAA) to 1.43.
For Powers, a former ASU goaltender himself, the confidence in Levin never wavered.
"Nobody in our program was even the slightest bit concerned about Robert (Levin)," he said. "He's the best goalie in the ACHA; we knew he was fine."
Coach Greg Powers watches the ASU Division I team during practice in the 2013 season before the night’s game against UA. (Photo by Ana Ramirez)The explosiveness of the ASU offensive attack has allowed for what seems to be a different star emerging every night. This past weekend, it was sophomore forward Sean Murphy who had three points (two goals, one assist) against UA to put him at the team lead with 13 points (four goals, nine assists).
Powers said he likes the current mix of players on each line, and to expect more of the same from Murphy and the rest of the Sun Devils.
"Who knows (who could step up)?" he said. "It could be any number of guys. I think we are starting to get the right mix of chemistry going so I would look for a kid like Sean Murphy to continue to step up."
The three game set will open against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos, who have impressed in the early ACHA season and have progressively improved their spot in the national rankings to make it all the way to No. 5 in the nation.
Central Oklahoma is powered offensively by the great play of forwards Ryan Duley (18 points), Brandon Formosa (17 points) and Gaven Hohl (16 points), who have each contributed to a team that averages a whopping 7.88 goals per game this season.
The Bronchos, however, appear to have some holes on the defensive end. Despite facing subpar competition (Central Oklahoma has yet to play a team in the top 25), they have allowed 2.33 goals per game, leaving starting goaltender Bretton Patchett with a GAA of 2.19 and a 0.923 save percentage.
Oklahoma, on the other hand, is coming off of an embarrassing 8-1 loss to Lindenwood, just their second loss this season. Their main contributor has been forward Ty Jones, whose nine points (three goals, six assists) through his first six games led the Sooners to their great start.
Injury report:
- Sophomore forward Patrick Yudez is out for this weekend's games with an ankle injury, Powers said. Yudez has not played since the third game of the season, a 14-0 win over West Chester.
- Sophomore forward Ryan Ostertag is out for this weekend's games with an undisclosed injury, Powers said. Ostertag has not played since ASU's opening weekend series against No. 20 Niagara, where he had seven points (four goals, three assists) through two games.
Reach the reporter at fardaya@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @fardaya15
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