The Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team makes its first appearance at Sanford Center since Dec. 11-12 this weekend as it hosts NCAA Division I newcomer Arizona State University. The nonconference series marks the beginning of a new rivalry for the Beavers as the teams meet for the first of three series scheduled through the 2017-18 season.

The Beavers open the two-game set on the heels of a 10-day road trip to Alaska which saw the Beavers pull 7-of-8 points from the Nanooks and Seawolves. BSU hopes the road success carries over to the ice at Sanford Center. Riding a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1) to welcome the Sun Devils, BSU is now 8-9-4 overall and 7-8-3 in league play to hold down fourth place in the league standings.

Arizona State is 5-17-0 in its first full season at the Division I level. The Sun Devils look to shake a nine-game losing skid this weekend and seek their first win since a 3-2 win at Lake Superior State, Nov. 14 (0-11-2). Freshman Jordan Masters leads an ASU scoring attack averaging 1.73 goals per game with 19 points and a team-high eight goals. Rookie defender Joey Raatz has accumulated 12 assist to pace the team and is second in scoring with 14 points. Freshman Ryland Pashovitz has seen the bulk of time in net for the Sun Devils. He is 4-11-0 and leads the team with a .912 save percentage and 3.32 goals against average.

Listen to both games this weekend on the Beaver Radio Network.