Many of the Pac-12 teams and other western universities have hockey teams, although a majority of them are club teams. ASU, up until a few years ago, was a club team but was promoted to Division 1 status by the NCAA, making them the only D1 college ice hockey team in the southwest United States. They struggled for the first few years, which is understandable being a new organization, but now they should be taken seriously as they rise to the standard of other northern college teams.

They opened the season this year by playing Alaska-Fairbanks twice last week and completely swept them and holding them scoreless in both games, making the Sun Devils 2-0 for the first time in their NCAA career. A huge milestone for the team and Coach Powers that they should be really proud of before they face #1 in the nation, Ohio State in the following week...yeah it doesn't really get easy from here. The rest of their 2018-2019 schedule includes hockey powerhouses like Penn State, Harvard, Michigan State, Princeton, Boston, Cornell, and Minnesota. Although, last year the Sun Devils upset Ohio State so they are familiar with each other.

The best thing about them this year is that they're coming in with a boom, and this will drive morale for tougher games to come. They also to have a pretty stacked line with some players making a name for themselves, like freshmen Austin Lemieux with an assist with Demetrios Koumontzis and PJ Marrocco both contributing with a goal, along with a big veteran presence on the team with Johnny Walker, Brinson Pasichnuk, and Tyler Busch all contributing the scoreboard across both games last weekend. Not the mention the stellar performance by goaltender and Ottawa-prospect, Joey Daccord who's coming into the season looking stronger than ever. All in all, the team's looking good.

So, just to sum it all up, these guys are looking pretty good and everybody should go see them play. Even though they've been said to be the underdogs many times, there's a certain pride that comes with that. It makes every win that much sweeter as they progress forward with their season and all the best luck to them.