A Maroon & Gold Thanksgiving as Hockey Hosts #2 Minnesota

TEMPE – ‘Tis the season to be thankful. And the Arizona State ice hockey team has lots to be thankful for this holiday week: a new arena, Mullett maniacs, gorgeous weather, and in the words of Minnesota native Jack Jensen, simply “hockey in the desert with the boys.”

This year the statement remains true as Sun Devil Hockey (7-6-0) hosts the No. 2/2 University of Minnesota (10-4-0) for the Golden Gophers’ first-ever trip to Arizona this Thanksgiving weekend at Mullett Arena on November 25-26 at 7 p.m. MST. Limited tickets are still available for purchase, and streaming both games is free on Pac-12 Insider. 

The last time ASU and Minnesota met was during the 2021-21 season and the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. ASU created a partnership with the Big Ten Conference in which the Sun Devils played the entire season on the road, solely against Big Ten teams. The Sun Devils traveled 15,519 miles, compiling 74 travel days, including 58 out of their first 70 days on the road. The two teams of Maroon and Gold competed four times within one month, all at 3M Arena. The Golden Gophers were ranked No. 1 and No. 4 during the matchups. 

Minnesota leads the all-time matchup record with six unanswered victories against ASU dating back to March 2019. In all but two of the games against the Sun Devils, the Golden Gophers ranked in the top five of national polls.

The two teams are in the top ten of youngest teams in the NCAA, with an average of 21 years old. Minnesota’s squad averages out at 21.1 years of age, while ASU competes at the ripe age of 21.8. 

The matchup ignites a stint of tough opponents for the Sun Devils, who, after battling No. 2 Minnesota, will make the trip to the Mile High City to face the reigning national champions and currently ranked No. 1 University of Denver at Magness Arena.   

SUN DEVIL REWIND

Josh Doan is on a four-game point-scoring streak with two goals and four assists. The sophomore captain moved up the stat sheet to tie winger Robert Mastrosimone for the team lead in points at 12. 

Heading into the Clarkson series last weekend, Doan and Mastrosimone’s linemate Lukas Sillinger was on a five-game point-scoring streak which started vs. Colorado College on October 21. He is tied with Doan at second with four goals this season and closely chases the point lead with 11 (4G, 7A). 

TJ…