UMD and Arizona State met six times last season, in ASU’s inaugural run in the NCHC.
The record will forever reflect that the Sun Devils went 4-1-1 in those six games, outscoring the Bulldogs 23-19. UMD outshot ASU 214-187 in those six games, outshooting Arizona State in every game except the Saturday game in Duluth, which ended in a tie with the Sun Devils winning the shootout.
“We felt we had a top ten team (by the second half of last season),” Arizona State coach Greg Powers said. “We played Duluth six times and could have easily lost all six. That’s how good and how hard they were to play against.
“It was six just absolute wars. That’s what we hope to have this weekend and find a way to come out on top.”
When asked about last year’s season series, UMD coach Scott Sandelin went right to the first-round NCHC playoff series that Arizona State swept at home by 4-3 and 6-5 scores, with the Saturday game requiring overtime.
“I thought we played well enough to win,” Sandelin said of that weekend in March. “Obviously we didn’t. Very disappointing because I think our kids played their hearts out and gave everything that we could. I remember Zam’s (Plante) line being very, very good. Dom (James) was outstanding. But I just thought our team, given the fact that it was a tough year, they were ready to go and they did not want to lose. They put it all on the line, and unfortunately they got some goals that probably we’d like to have back. And I think even with Adam (Gajan), I think that was very humbling for him, too.
“I expect the same thing. They play a lot like Western, very get after it, go north. A lot of new players there this year. They’re a good team that’s playing well right now.”
For this series opener, UMD makes a key change up front. Freshman Hunter Anderson is going to get an opportunity with seniors Kyle Gaffney and Scout Truman, while sophomore Callum Arnott moves to the third line with freshman Daniel Shlaine and sophomore Harper Bentz. Arnott goes back to the middle, a spot he played all of last season, basically, and Shlaine heads to wing as the UMD coaches try to unlock more of his offensive game. Shlaine is a smart player with a great shot, so we’ll see if this helps get that part of his game going.
Adam Gajan vs Connor Hasley.
Lines?
Lines.
UMD forwards
Plante (Max) – Plante (Zam) – Shaugabay
Truman – Gaffney – Anderson
Shlaine – Arnott – Bentz
Zaremba – Kovich – Bechen
UMD defense
Hanson – Kleber
Pionk – Pierce
Cleveland – Siepmann
Bodnarchuk
UMD goalies
Gajan – Dahlmeir – Sheffield
Arizona State forwards
Lucius – Potter – Schimek
Nash – McGurn – Waldron
Alfano – Morrell – Powell
Crandell – Smolen – Kevan
Arizona State defense
Boser – Dowd
Baran – Kjellberg
Kipkie – Ness
Kuehne
Arizona State goalies
Hasley – Urban – Hamm
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