Sun Devil Hockey Prepares for Clash with No. 8 Dartmouth in Historic Road Trip
TEMPE - Arizona State Hockey is headed northeast for a heavyweight showdown as they face No. 8 Dartmouth on Saturday, Dec. 27 at Thompson Arena in Hanover, N.H. It’s more than just a pair of games to close out the calendar year - it’s a measuring stick moment for a Sun Devils squad that’s already proven it can hang with the best in the country.
This weekend marks ASU’s first-ever trip to Hanover, and it couldn’t come at a more pivotal time. The Sun Devils are 3-3 this season against top-10 opponents and have a chance to not only go above .500 in those matchups but also hand Dartmouth its first home loss of the season. That’s no small feat - the Big Green are riding a 10-game home win streak dating back to February.
Where to Watch and Listen
Fans can catch the action streaming live on ESPN+ (subscription required), while Tyler Paley and Alex Coil will be on the call via Fox Sports 910AM and iHeartRadio.
A Look Back at the Rivalry
These two programs don’t meet often, but when they do, it’s been fireworks. The last time ASU and Dartmouth clashed was back in December 2023 at Mullett Arena. Both games ended in draws, but ASU walked away with shootout wins in each.
On Dec. 8, 2023, the Sun Devils erased a two-goal deficit to force a 4-4 tie, with Lukas Sillinger sealing the shootout win in the seventh round. The following night, Brian Chambers netted the lone goal in a 1-1 draw, and ASU again came out on top in the shootout. This time around, they’ll be looking to notch their first official win over Dartmouth - and do it on the road.
Scouting the Big Green
Dartmouth isn’t just good - they’re elite. Ranked No. 8 nationally and tied for first in the ECAC standings, the Big Green boast a perfect 6-0-0 conference record and an 11-1-0 overall mark.
Their only blemish? A 3-2 overtime loss to New Hampshire earlier this month.
Offensively, Dartmouth is a juggernaut, averaging 4.33 goals per game - third-best in the country. But it’s their defense that really turns heads.
They’re allowing just 1.33 goals per game, the lowest mark in the nation. That stingy back end is anchored by a two-headed monster in net: junior Emmett Croteau and junior Roan Clarke.
Croteau has been lights-out with a .953 save percentage and a 1.16 goals-against average in six starts, going 5-1. Clarke, meanwhile, is undefeated at 6-0 with a .920 save percentage and a 1.52 GAA. In 11 of Dartmouth’s 12 games this season, they’ve held opponents to two goals or fewer - a testament to both their defensive structure and goaltending depth.
What’s at Stake for ASU
A win in Hanover would be historic on multiple fronts. It would be ASU’s first victory over Dartmouth, their fourth top-10 win of the season, and their first time winning back-to-back road games against top-10 opponents since they stunned No. 1 Denver in a sweep last November.
Momentum is on their side. The Sun Devils are coming off a statement win over No.
5 Minnesota Duluth, where their top line of Bennett Schimek, Cruz Lucius, and Cullen Potter exploded for 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) and a collective +14 plus/minus. That trio has been red-hot - and they’ll need to stay that way to crack Dartmouth’s elite defense.
Schimek Leading the Charge
Let’s talk about Bennett Schimek. The co-captain is putting together one of the best stretches in Sun Devil history.
He’s racked up 27 points (9 goals, 18 assists) in just 19 games - the most by any ASU player to open a season. He’s tied for fifth in the nation in total points and leads the NCHC in assists with 18, averaging one per game.
His five-point performance (3G, 2A) against Minnesota Duluth tied an ASU single-game record, and earned him NCHC Forward of the Week honors on Dec. 16. That outing also included his second career hat trick and a game-best +5 rating.
Lucius Hits the Century Mark
Cruz Lucius continues to be a game-changer. He and Schimek both crossed the 100-career-point threshold in the win over Minnesota Duluth, and Lucius has been on a tear lately - nine points in his last four games, including three multi-point efforts. ASU is 3-0 in those games, and 5-1-1 this season when Lucius puts up two or more points.
He’s also become a power play weapon, with five goals on the man advantage - tied for second in the NCHC. Nationally, he’s one of just eight players with double digits in both goals and assists, and his 24 points have him tied for 10th in the country.
Potter’s Quiet Impact
While Schimek and Lucius grab headlines, Cullen Potter has been quietly delivering clutch performances. ASU is 6-0 this season when he scores a goal, and 14-1-1 dating back to 2024. He’s riding a hot streak with 11 points (5G, 6A) in his last nine games and has three multi-point outings in his last four.
Potter’s already surpassed his freshman-year assist total with 10 this season, and his consistency on both ends of the ice has made him a key piece of ASU’s top line.
Special Teams and Conference Clashes
ASU’s power play is heating up at the right time. They’ve scored 18 power play goals this season - fourth in the NCHC - and have six in their last eight games. That could be a difference-maker against a disciplined Dartmouth squad that doesn’t give up much at even strength.
And while the ECAC has been strong, the NCHC has held its own in inter-conference matchups this season, going 5-2-0 against ECAC opponents. ASU will be looking to keep that trend going.
Final Word
This weekend’s series is more than just a road trip - it’s a litmus test for a Sun Devils team that’s building something special. Beating a top-10 team on the road is never easy.
Beating one with Dartmouth’s resume? That’s the kind of win that turns heads nationally.
With Schimek and Lucius leading the charge, Potter finding his rhythm, and the power play clicking, ASU has the firepower to make noise in Hanover. Now it’s about execution, discipline, and rising to the moment.
The Sun Devils have done it before. Let’s see if they can do it again.