ASU Sun Devils have fun a intention as they defeat the University of Nebraska Omaha 7-2 in Tempe, Arizona on Oct. 27, 2018.
After a summer of bonding, the ASU hockey group is back in Tempe with high spirits and expectations to elevate this system. After an underwhelming 2017-18 season under head teaches Greg Powers, the Sun Devils broke out in the final season, going 21-13-1 on their way to securing the program’s first NCAA event bid.
While the final year became a step forward for this system, the temper across the area turned obvious: their ride to the event wasn’t a fluke. “We had an awesome 12 months. We assume that we surprised quite a good deal of all and sundry, however, ourselves. We need to preserve to push the rock ahead,” Powers stated. “We made the tournament ultimate 12 months ago. However, we want to get this year in addition.”
The crew carried last season’s momentum into the summer. It traveled to China to square off against the VHL (Supreme Hockey League) and the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League). It’s now longer rare that college hockey teams can tour abroad and see in-game action over the summer. Powers was able to test his team in recreation action to try out one-of-a-kind players and combos, which he said might be beneficial for the beginning of the season.
“Figuring out outline combos, unique team combinations, PK pairs, all that stuff is a massive luxury,” Powers said. “It lets us focus on development and make certain these men are truely sharp going into our first recreation.” The trip to China turned into fulfillment for the team overall because it combined 4-1 against the talented worldwide competition on its way to the Fu Xing Cup title. While the Sun Devils fared properly in China, the camaraderie the group created off the ice was its most vital development.
“That ride became so cool, definitely one we are not going to forget,” senior defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk said. “Off the ice becomes sincerely special. You’re with each different 24/7 for 12 days directly. I don’t assume whatever else can manifest except come to be an own family.” Goaltender Max Prawdzik, a graduate who switched from Boston University, stated he might want to sense a unique sort of connection after spending the summer with the crew.
“It’s simple, so a laugh gaining knowledge of the guys,” Prawdzik said. “I sense near with the group proper now, even though I virtually haven’t been right here for a long time.” Pasichnuk and others echoed the sentiment of how tight-knit the team is. “I guarantee you we’re the nearest team in university hockey,” Pasichnuk stated. Powers and his crew have stated all of the right matters heading into the season; however, with the season opener towards Mercyhurst on Oct. 5 speedy approaching near it is time to put the Sun Devils’ team chemistry to the test. “We have an awesome enough team,” he said. “We have enough talent here now. The culture is so exact with our participant leadership organization that if we maintain to do this, I consider we will truely have a higher 12 months than we did closing 12 months.”
