Photo Credit: Damon James

Looking to carry the momentum of three wins in three nights, and four consecutive wins total, the SFU Men’s Hockey Team aims to achieve its first victory against NCAA Division I competition this weekend. Playing back-to-back games against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona Friday and Saturday will require the same traits that won them the three games last weekend.

“We’ve got a good, focused group of guys who are committed to working hard at practice and conditioning and taking care of themselves,” said assistant coach Tom Spencer.

In order to put up some wins, SFU will have to keep their emotions in check and stay out of the penalty box.

“[We have to] ride the waves of emotion,” explained Spencer. “Our guys need to stick to the game plan, we need to be aggressive, we need to be disciplined in our systems, we need to be disciplined and stay out of the penalty box. They’re big and fast.

“So expect two really competitive hockey games, and hopefully with a couple of wins in the column.”

SFU enters the weekend with a mostly healthy roster. Tyler Basham is out with a shoulder injury, but most of the team is expected to be ready to play.

Jordan Liem and Lyndon Stanwood are expected to split starts in net.

Before transferring to SFU last season, forward Mak Barden played with the Sun Devils.

The team left for Arizona at 8 this morning, and will get in a practice Friday morning ahead the night’s game. Puck drop is 6:05 PM PST for both games.

Forward Mitch Crisanti is out the rest of the season for academic reasons. Forward Pavlo Zerebecky (hip) is out week-to-week.