#14 NoDak Returns to NCHC Play to Battle #16 Arizona State

AFTER NEARLY A MONTH OFF, NORTH DAKOTA RETURNS TO NCHC PLAY TO PLAY JUST THEIR 2ND AND 3RD GAMES EVER AGAINST THE SUN DEVILS.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) –After nearly a month off from regular season play, #14 North Dakota hockey is eager and ready to return to the ice this weekend. Their opponent: #16 Arizona State.

It will be the first match up between these two teams as members of the NCHC. Arizona State is in their inaugural year in the league. The story lines run deep for this one. Aside from it being a top-20 ranked showdown in Tempe, Arizona, It’s a homecoming for two NoDak players. Sophomore defenseman Jake Livanavage, who is a Phoenix, Arizona native, and grad student goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter, who spent the last two seasons playing for the Sun Devils.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s super special that I get to go home and play in front of family and friends and stuff,” said Livanavage. “It’s more focused on the team and kind of what we have to do this weekend.”

As for his goaltender, T.J. Semptimphelter, Livanavage says he did not speak to him this week, but knows it will be a big series for him.

“He’s been unbelievable so far this year,” said Livanavage. “I expect nothing less this weekend. I think he’s definitely got a chip on his shoulder, for sure, and going back to where he was the past couple years…I’m glad he’s on our side.”

Both Arizona State and North Dakota come into this one in the top three in the NCHC standings and ended the first half of the season strong. ASU is riding a seven-game win streak while NoDak owns a four-game win streak of their own.

“They’re playing really good hockey,” said head coach Brad Berry. “We’re glad that they’re in our league. They’re a good team, good program, good school and we’re happy that they’re in the NCHC. In saying that, the points are up for grabs and along with points are pairwise standings too. Those go hand in hand and we’re focusing mostly on us as far as what we have to do. I think we’re doing a good job here. Closing out the first half and starting the second half of how we have to play to give ourselves a chance to win games and that’s going to be the mindset going forward.”

The talk of the first half of the season for UND was battling injuries. Head coach Brad Barry said Cameron Berg is 100% and will return this weekend and everyone else is good to go that was nursing injuries to close out the first half. Defenseman Bennett Zmolek and goaltender Caleb Johnson, however, do still remain out with long-term injuries. But overall, a pretty healthy squad ready to go to begin the second half of the season.

Puck drop in Tempe, Arizona set for 9:06 p.m. local time Friday night. On Saturday night, they’ll drop the puck at 6 p.m.

This is just the second/third meeting all time between the two programs. The lone match up was a 3-2 ASU win in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game during the 2022-23 season. That game was played in Las Vegas, NV.