No. 1/2 Denver (10-4) vs. Arizona State (8-7)

Friday, 7 p.m., and Saturday, 6 p.m., at Magness Arena

TV / Streaming / Radio: Altitude2 (Friday) / NCHC.tv / 104.3 FM HD-3

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Statistically, the teams are pretty close matches. Both have explosive offenses, solid power plays and established goalies who play every night. The Sun Devils, who are 6-2 at home (including a split with then-No. 2 Minnesota last weekend) but 1-5 on the road, will want to make a statement about their program’s progress this weekend, and what better place to do that than in the lair of the defending national champs, who’ve only lost twice in regulation at home in the past two seasons? The only one this season came last Friday vs. Omaha.

The Pioneers are getting scoring from more sources beyond the stellar top line of Massimo Rizzo (19 points, five goals), Carter Mazur (16, 12) and Casey Dornbach (17, 6). Freshmen Aidan Thompson (six points in five games) and Jared Wright (five in four) are finding an offensive groove, wing Jack Devine has half of his eight points in the past five games, and defenseman Mike Benning doubled his goal total to four in Saturday’s victory over Omaha.

The Sun Devils have hit the transfer portal hard. Leading scorer Robert Mastrosimone, a Detroit Red Wings pick, has team highs of 16 points and six goals after playing three seasons at Boston University. Forward Lukas Sillinger (11 points) moved over from Bemidji State and defenseman Tim Lovell (10) came from Boston College a season earlier. Arizona Coyotes pick Josh Doan (14 points), however, is as home grown as it gets, having grown up in the Phoenix area. Goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter (8-7, 2.59, .918) has played every game after transferring from Northeastern.

MORE PIONEERS: Where do they get their energy from?

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