Sun Devils resume play after week in Wisconsin
After a lengthy layover in Madison, Arizona State hockey returns to the ice Saturday to begin the second half of its season-opening, eight-game road trip.
ASU (0-3-1) has been in Wisconsin long enough to watch the No. 14 Badgers play a series against Penn State (4-2), which they swept by a combined 13-6 on Monday and Tuesday. The Sun Devils last played Nov. 20 at Michigan State.
“It’s a good break for the guys to get mentally regrouped and spend time with each other,” ASU forward Sean Dhooghe said.
ASU is staying close to LaBahn Arena, where the Wisconsin men’s team is playing this season instead of the larger Kohl Center. The Sun Devils closed the 201920 regular season with 7-6 and 6-2 losses at Wisconsin. Dhooghe was a Badger assistant captain then, although out against ASU due to injury.
Now with his new team playing without career scoring leader Johnny Walker (lower body injury) for a second straight week, Dhooghe and others must begin to produce offensively if ASU is going to begin winning in its demanding all-Big Ten, all-road season.
The Sun Devils have just two goals in four games, both of those late in the third period. Still coach Greg Powers saw encouraging signs against Michigan State and during practices since.
“We don’t need a lot to change,” Powers said. “It’s puck management stuff, making the most of opportunities we’re getting and putting it in the back of the net. Guys have to execute. We’re not changing because we lost one player (Walker), but we’re trying some different line combinations to see if it sparks some energy.”
Dhooghe, James Sanchez and Matthew Kopperud, in place of Walker, played together on the first line against Michigan State with Chris Grando, Jordan Sandhu and Willie Knierim on the second line. ASU’s only goals to date were scored by Ryan O’Reilly (against No. 4 Michigan) and Grando (Michigan State).
“We’re working on our scoring habits and getting confidence around the net,” O’Reilly said. “We’re trying to play our brand and our game. Our power play revolves around shooting the puck a lot, capitalizing on rebounds and getting the other team out of place.”
The Sun Devils are just 1-of-17 on power plays and 12-of-16 on penalty kills.
“We like how we’re playing defensively,” Powers said. “If we keep that up, we’re confident enough in the talent and ability we have that we’re going to start scoring. And when we do, they’ll come in bunches. Our focus is to defend, defend and keep pucks out of the net. If we keep that up, we’ll start to get some wins.”
Game times are 6 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday with both televised on Fox Sports Arizona.