The Sun Devils dominated the Wildcats in their season opener, shutting out Arizona and scoring 16 goals (Sammi Maxwell/Inferno Intel).
The Arizona State men’s hockey team opened its 2023-2024 season with a 16-0 exhibition victory over the University of Arizona of the American Collegiate Hockey Association on Friday.
This was the first matchup between the two teams since 2015, ASU’s first season competing in the NCAA Division I. On paper, the game was a scrimmage against a lower-level ACHA team. For ASU students and fans, it was a rare opportunity to root against archrival Arizona at Mullet Arena.
“Out of respect for that rivalry and out of respect for our university and our fans,” ASU head coach Greg Powers said. “ We had an obligation to play hard. And our guys did, and it’s as simple as that.”
Sun Devil players did their part, scoring six goals in the first period, and five goals in both the second and third periods.
Highly touted Colgate transfer and Sharks prospect, Alex Young, gave the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead 6:13 into the first period. The senior forward scored on a one-timer shot from top of the left circle. Young played on the first line and will be a key contributor this season.
Freshman defenseman Josh Niedermayer scored his first goal as a Sun Devil 20 seconds later to make it 2-0. Niedermayer, the son of NHL Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer, had four assists for a team-high five points. More meaningfully, he was paired with his brother, junior defenseman Jackson Niedermayer.
“The freshmen all played great,” Powers said. “On the back end, Josh Niedermeyer played really well.”
Senior forward Matthew Kopperud missed 18 games due to injury last season. The assistant captain had three points in his long-awaited return Friday – one goal and two assists.
“All those guys that devastated us last year to lose early and really never have,” Powers said. “They were buzzing tonight.”
Captain Tyler Gratton, had two goals and two assists in his ASU debut. The senior forward and Penn State transfer showed why his teammates unanimously voted him team captain in September.
Freshman forward Kyle Smolen also had two goals and an assist in his first game in a Sun Devils sweater.
“Kyle Smolen was really good,” Powers said. “He was just poised and drove the play really well.”
The other goal scorers were Benji Eckerle, Lukas Sillinger, Tony Achille, Dylan Jackson, Ryan Alexander, Cole Helm, Charlie Schoen and Ryan O’Reilly.
All three ASU goaltenders played in one period of the game. Junior TJ Semptimphelter started and stopped all seven shots he faced. Sophomore Gibson Homer made the most impressive save of the game on an Arizona breakaway. Freshman Hank Levy also had a shutout.
“Gibby’s a great goalie,” Powers said. “I thought it was impressive how he came in and was cold, and didn’t play once last year, and stopped the breakaway almost on his first shot.”
It was a positive night for the Sun Devils, outside of the obvious goal differential. There were no injuries. Many of the nine new freshmen played meaningful minutes and demonstrated their ability. The five transfers improved their chemistry in live-game action.
The scrimmage also helped Coach Powers identify deficiencies in his team’s game prior to the start of the regular season.
“There was some puck management stuff we want to clean up,” Powers said. “But the effort was there. That’s all we asked out of our guys. We’ll go to film and get better next week.”
The Sun Devils will play Merrimack University in its home opener Friday at 7:00 p.m. MST at Mullet Arena.