Arizona State Set for Historic NCHC Series in Grand Forks

Arizona State University is poised to make its inaugural visit to Ralph Engelstad Arena this weekend for a two-game series against the University of North Dakota (UND). The first matchup is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. on March 15, 2024, followed by a second game at 6:07 p.m. on March 16, 2024. This marks a significant milestone for the Sun Devils, who have previously faced UND during their tenure in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).

The Sun Devils and UND first competed against each other in Las Vegas during the 2022 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game, and their most recent encounter occurred in Tempe, Arizona, last season. Head coach Greg Powers expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming opportunity, noting the challenge of playing in a venue renowned for its passionate fan base. “It’s obviously a tremendous venue with a tremendous program and fan base,” Powers stated. “When you go into those types of environments, you have to use it to your advantage.”

As Arizona State prepares for this pivotal series, the team is currently holding a record of 3-6-1 for the season. This early performance is reminiscent of last year’s start, where they were 4-7-1 before achieving a surprising sweep against the defending national champions, the University of Denver. Powers reflected on their current standings, remarking, “Never in a million years did I think that would be our record, but it is our record. We have to draw on experiences.”

The upcoming matches are expected to draw a significant crowd at The Ralph, with over 11,000 fans anticipated to attend. This will be the largest audience the Sun Devils have played in front of since the Las Vegas game, which attracted 15,503 spectators. “We’ve gone on the road into situations like these before in tough environments and had success,” Powers added. “We believe we can on Friday.”

Arizona State will arrive in Grand Forks on Thursday, March 14, 2024, to conduct a practice session at the arena. Captain Kyle Smolen, who has experience playing in North Dakota from his time with the Fargo Force in the United States Hockey League, shared his insights on the atmosphere, stating, “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.”

Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Sun Devils aim for a strong performance against a formidable opponent. With both teams eager to assert their dominance in the NCHC, the series promises to deliver high-stakes action and thrilling moments for hockey enthusiasts.

For those wishing to catch the games, they will be broadcast on Midco Sports, with radio coverage provided by The Fox (96.1 FM). Streaming options are available through NCHChockey.com.