(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)
Fresh off of its first NCAA victory over Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday, Arizona State will travel to Connecticut for a three game road trip.
The Devils will take on their first nationally ranked opponent in the history of the program when they play No. 17 Quinnipiac on Thursday night. The team will then turn around and face Connecticut on Friday, followed by Sacred Heart on Saturday before returning to the desert.
“It was nice to get the first NCAA win out of the way but it’s time to get back to work,” head coach Greg Powers said. “We turn right back around and face three very good teams and we’re excited for another chance to prove ourselves.”
Qunnipiac, a team just two years removed from a Frozen Four final appearance, boasts a 2-0 record after defeating Holy Cross in back-to-back contests. In both games, the Bobcats scored a combined nine goals, while giving up five.
For the Devils, the key will be to pick up where Holy Cross left off and continue to take advantage of the Quinnipiac defense. Slowing down Bobcats forward Sam Anas on the other side will also have to be a priority.
Through the first two games of the season, Anas is fourth in the Eastern College Athletic Conference with four total points on two goals and two assists.
Robert Levin, who should be in line to start for ASU after sitting in favor of Ryland Pashovitz on Saturday, will be relied on to limit Anas and the Qunnipiac offensive attack.
Levin tallied 37 saves and allowed three goals in 63 minutes against Alaska Anchorage on Friday.
Don’t be surprised if Pashovitz earns another start this weekend after his performance against Alaska Fairbanks. The freshman saved 37 shots and allowed just one goal in ASU’s first Division I victory. Keep an eye on the situation at goalie throughout the weekend.
Against Connecticut, look for the script to change.
Through its first two games, Connecticut has held opponents to just 22 shot attempts per game. While they have allowed 3.5 goals per game, the Huskies have been able to limit their opponent’s opportunities.
It will come down to Arizona State making the most of the few opportunities that Connecticut is projected to allow.
With that being said, expect a lot out of Joey Raats. The freshman has assisted on two of the four goals that Arizona State has scored this season and will be relied on to play the role of facilitator yet again.
Keep an eye on forward Sean Murphy as well. After leading the team in goals last season with 22, Murphy has yet to post any points, but has still taken four shots on goal. The volume has been consistent and he’s remained involved; it’s just going to be a matter of when Murphy begins to produce.
There is a chance that the aforementioned “when” is against the Huskies.
When the Devils wrap the road trip up with their third game against as many opponents, they’re going to have a decent understanding of what it takes to have success at the NCAA level having played against two more established programs.
That could be rather bad news for the Sacred Heart Pioneers, who sit at 0-0-1 on the season.
In their first game of the season, Sacred Heart managed just 18 shots on goal, capitalizing on one of those attempts. Should the Devils continue to play the way they have defensively, a bold statement at Danbury Ice Arena could be in the works.
While the trip to Alaska resulted in the team’s first NCAA win, the trip to Connecticut will be just as, if not more, valuable to the development of this program. There will be much to take from playing against another set of established and well-respected programs.
You can contact Colton Dodgson via e-mail or on Twitter @DodgsonColton
