ASU hockey (9-22-4) looks to solidify the season sweep at University of Arizona (9-16-4) this weekend in what could be the final game between the two schools.
With ASU adopting a full D1 schedule next year, the might not meet again.
The teams have been playing each other since 2010. ASU has got the best of the Wildcats; the Sun Devils have won 48 of 49 matchups. ASU head coach Greg Powers, 40-1 against Arizona, has never lost in Tucson.
This game means a lot to him.
“It means a ton to me, I have been a part of it as a player and a coach for 20 years,” he said. “It means a tremendous amount to all our alumni, people that have put this program on the map, and its important to finish it off right."
Freshman goaltender Ryland Pashovitz reciprocated this viewpoint.
“It means a lot, “ he said. “This could be possibly our last ever game against them. There have been some guys in the locker room that have played against Arizona four years for them, its big; we just want to make this memorable for everyone.”
The two teams have had to entirely different journeys this season. The teams met to begin the season, with the Sun Devils coming ahead 8-1. It was one of ASU's most successful games in an otherwise difficult transition season in which the team experienced growing pains.
In contrast, the Wildcats have had a respectable year, recently qualifying for the ACHA Nationals. Despite the differences, records are often overlooking in rivalry games.
ASU head coach Greg Powers said he doesn't take much from the victory to open the season on Oct. 3.
“I don’t know if we can take much from it, that was literally our first day — we hadn't even practiced," he said. “We are a completely different team, our systems are different... and in all fairness U of A is probably a lot better now.”
Despite ASU's poor record, they've continued to show superior offensive play against ACHA teams, outscoring opponents 23-4. The Sun Devils are coming off their first-ever shutout, defeating Liberty (ACHA) 7-0 last week.
The Wildcats lost both games last weekend, falling 1-0 and then 2-1 to Minot State (ACHA). They then berthed a national tournament appearance, slotting in at the 16-seed. This is the first ever berth for head coach Chad Berman, who has helped his team improve off one their worst seasons last year: 11-22-3.
Junior goalie Robert Levin said the sweep and winning the final game is important.
“Being here for three years, it’s always been preached you have to beat them and play tough against them,” he said. “I think it would be a really good way to end the year beating them and having a good game.”
He's unsure how to describe the rivalry.
“I don’t know if I can put it into words,” he said. “It’s just always been preached since day one I have been here how important it is to beat them; every game is important but this one is extra important.
The two teams will face off tonight in Tucson at the Tucson Convention Center at 7:30 p.m.
Reach the reporter at chaz.frazier@asu.edu or follow @chaz_frazier on Twitter.
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