(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
The Arizona State women’s club hockey team takes a short road trip across the Valley Dec. 8-9 to take on Grand Canyon University in a two-game series.
With the season series tied 1-1-1 between ASU and GCU, the rivalry is stronger than ever as the two programs have their final meeting of the 2017-18 season this weekend.
“It’s still like a home game for us because it’s only across the Valley and that’s so new to us,” said head coach Lindsey Ellis. “With the rival game, the team is all excited to play and they’re all pumped up.”
The last match-up between the two teams was in Boulder, Colorado during the Western Women’s Collegiate Hockey League (WWCHL) showcase tournament. GCU stole a 1-0 win over ASU for its first win in program history.
“After our loss against them the last time, we are definitely out for revenge,” senior captain and forward Amber Galles said. “We want to come out and win, especially in their home rink. We want to take it to them, come out hard, fast and strong even with our short number on the bench.”
The Sun Devils and Lopes also met at the very beginning of the 2017-18 season. The first match-up ended in a 1-1 tie, then the Sun Devils took the second game decisively, 4-1.
Galles scored the first goal of the season for ASU in the first game and senior defender KC McGinley netted two goals in the second. Both are now tied for the team lead in points with 12 this season.
ASU began the season strong with a 3-2-1 record. But the rollercoaster of the 2017-18 season has the Sun Devils riding a six-game losing streak.
“We’ve had our ups and downs since then, it’s been a few months,” said Ellis. ”It’s just being able to realize what our faults are on the ice, that way we can fix them in a game and not continue to make the same mistakes that we have.”
ASU goaltender Jordan Nash-Boulden has been a force in net this season. Strong play from her is valued in the rivalry series.
Nash-Boulden has played all 12 games for the Sun Devils. She has a .930 save percentage on the year with 505 saves made.
The rivalry between the Sun Devils and Lopes is a huge challenge for both teams, but is one that holds a big reward in the rights to Arizona.
“It’s on the opposing team’s ice and it’s just across the way so hopefully we can come out and say, ‘No, Arizona is ours. It’s not purple and black, it’s maroon and gold’,” ASU senior forward Dannika Borges said.
Borges, despite graduating Dec. 11, will be eligible to spend the remainder of the 2017-18 season on the roster and play with the team.
ASU and GCU will meet at AZ Ice Peoria for the rivalry series. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MST on both Friday and Saturday.
