Undefeated via 12 video games, six gamers above some extent per sport, and coming off a nationwide championship, that is none aside from Denver Univeristy. Seventh-year head coach David Carle has constructed a basis of NHL prospects and veterans on a roster that dares groups to make errors.
Denver College, the primary ranked group within the nation, has at all times been identified for its stoic hockey group, and that’s no completely different this season. Their subsequent opponent? The Arizona State Solar Devils. Head coach Greg Powers has his group driving excessive after incomes their first NCHC win in program historical past over the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.
Associated: Arizona State Solar Devils Earn Collection Cut up Towards Nebraska-Omaha
“We all know who they’re, nationwide champions,” David Hymovitch, the Phoenix, Arizona native, stated after the Solar Devils’ first NCHC win. “I do know it’s not gonna be straightforward, but when we play like how we did tonight, we like our possibilities to get some factors on the highway and make up some floor right here.”
In fact, being ranked unanimously number-one within the nation begs the query: how good is Denver College?
Breaking Down the Numbers
Getting into the 2024-25 season, there was little doubt Denver can be a star-studded group once more, particularly coming off their massive nationwide championship towards Boston School. On the floor, it’s clear they’re extremely gifted, however simply how good are they when trying on the numbers?
For starters, they’ve averaged practically 5 targets a sport (4.75) via 12 video games and are solely permitting 1.42 targets per sport, due to the efforts of senior goaltender Matt Davis. That’s a considerable distinction from targets for to targets towards, one thing solely a group can do once they have all three cylinders transferring.
The Crimson and Gold even have among the best penalty kills within the NCAA, permitting simply three power-play targets on 37 makes an attempt. Magness Area, the Pioneers residence, is without doubt one of the most electrifying buildings in school hockey.
The numbers look good largely because of the huge variety of prospects on the group, led by 2024 Minnesota Wild first-round decide sophomore defenseman Zeev Buium.
Prospect-Stuffed Roster
As talked about above, Buium is without doubt one of the largest threats on the Pioneers’ blue line. The truth is, this previous weekend, towards North Dakota, he registered a hat trick, marking the primary time a defenseman had scored a hat trick for Denver since 2004 and the third time in NCHC historical past.
It doesn’t cease there as Florida Panthers 2022 seventh-round decide senior ahead Jack Devine leads the group in factors with one aim and 22 factors in 12 video games. 2023 Montreal Canadiens fifth-round decide senior ahead Sam Harris is correct behind Devine with a team-leading ten targets and 16 factors via 12 video games.
He was briefly talked about above, however their netminder Matt Davis can be a large motive for Denver’s success final season and this season. He’s performed 11 out of the 12 video games this season and has a 1.46 goals-against common (GAA) and a .937 save share (SV%). If anybody is aware of this, it’s Powers and ASU, however goaltending is significant to have any probability at success, particularly now that the Solar Devils are within the NCHC.
It’s an limitless listing for the Pioneers when it comes to prospects, and it’s clearly evident they’ve constructed not solely an especially gifted group however a deep group that may assault with all 4 strains.
Arizona State Has Plate Full With Pioneers This Weekend
To say this might be a check for the Solar Devils is an understatement; that is extra like a gauntlet. Most followers keep in mind ASU’s thrilling 4-3 time beyond regulation upset win over Denver final season at Mullett Area, however this sport, after all, has NCHC implications. If ASU can pull off one other upset win this weekend, it could be Denver’s first lack of the season, however that alone might be tough. Puck drop from Denver, Colorado, for sport one is at 7 pm Arizona time in what ought to be an thrilling collection.
