Arizona State Hockey Faces North Dakota in First Grand Forks Visit

The Arizona State Sun Devils are set to visit Grand Forks for the first time, facing the University of North Dakota (UND) in a two-game series at the renowned Ralph Engelstad Arena. The matches are scheduled for 7:07 p.m. on March 15, 2024, and 6:07 p.m. on March 16, 2024. This weekend marks a significant milestone for Arizona State, as it will be their first appearance at this iconic venue.

Head coach Greg Powers, who has been at the helm since the program’s inception as a club team, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming games. “We’re excited to go to The Ralph for the first time as a program,” he said. “It’s obviously a tremendous venue with a tremendous program and fan base. When you go into those types of environments, you have to use it to your advantage.” Currently, Arizona State holds a record of 3-6-1 for the season, a challenging start that mirrors last year’s 4-7-1 beginning. However, the Sun Devils bounced back last season by sweeping the defending national champions, the Denver Pioneers, propelling them into a successful stretch.

Despite their current struggles, Arizona State is determined to turn things around. “Never in a million years did I think that would be our record, but it is our record,” Powers commented. “We have to draw on experiences. There are a lot of good things we’re doing. There are a lot of positives, but we still have yet to piece together a complete team game.”

This weekend’s games are anticipated to draw a large crowd, with over 11,000 fans expected to fill the arena. This will be the largest audience Arizona State has faced since their thrilling matchup against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, at the 2022 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game, which attracted 15,503 spectators. During that game, the Sun Devils triumphed with a 3-2 victory.

Powers is optimistic about the atmosphere in Grand Forks. “We’ve gone on the road into situations like these before in tough, tough environments and had success,” he stated. “We believe we can on Friday.”

The team will charter a flight to Grand Forks on March 14, 2024, and will hold a practice session at Ralph Engelstad Arena that afternoon, followed by a morning skate on March 15. Forward and team captain Kyle Smolen shared his excitement about the upcoming games, stating, “There’s a lot of energy in the building. It’s a crazy place to play. But I think it’s a great experience for anybody to go up there and see what that kind of atmosphere is like.”

Smolen, who previously played for the Fargo Force in the United States Hockey League, holds the record for the most games played in Fargo’s history with 192 matches. His familiarity with the arena and the local hockey culture adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming series. “I kind of know what it’s all about,” he reflected. “I’m excited to get up there and get a chance at it.”

As the series approaches, both teams are preparing for what promises to be an exhilarating weekend of collegiate hockey. The Sun Devils face a formidable opponent in sixth-ranked North Dakota, making every moment critical in their pursuit of a successful season. Fans can catch the action through various channels, including Midco Sports and NCHC.tv, ensuring that the adrenaline of college hockey reaches audiences far and wide.