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ASU Hockey: Offense fueling strong start for Sun Devils

By Nicholas Frias

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Arizona State Sun Devils masct, 'Sparky' performs during the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Arizona State Sun Devils masct, 'Sparky' performs during the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ASU hockey‘s 6-2-0 start has been ignited by a potent scoring offense as the Sun Devils have gotten help up and down the roster.

Arizona State men’s hockey has been firing on all cylinders offensively so far in the 2018-19 season.

The team is averaging 3.75 goals per game with the NCAA’s second-highest goal total at 30 on the season. Freshman left wing Demetrios Koumontzis has the second most points among D-I freshmen and sophomore forward Johnny Walker leads the nation with eight goals and 13 points through eight games.

One of the strongest points of the offense has been the power play. Through eight games, 10 of their 30 goals have come while the Sun Devils have a man advantage on the ice.

In 2017-18, ASU scored 15 goals on the power play all season, and the drastic improvement from a .120 conversion percentage last season to .333 this year while on the power play has been a huge help when it comes to the team’s improvement from last season.

One of the big pieces on the first line of the power play has been this year’s third round pick for the Calgary Flames, Demetrios Koumontzis.

In his freshman season, Koumontzis has already tallied seven points, the second most among NCAA D-I freshmen. When asked about his hot start, Koumontzis praised the people around him.

“It’s more important that the team has been getting off to a hot start,” Koumontzis said. “We’re 6-2-0 for the first time, and that’s the bigger picture.”

Koumontzis stressed that while he loves seeing his name on the points sheet, helping the team win games is his main goal. He has been able to do that without much trouble this season, as have his freshmen linemates, Austin Lemieux and Jordan Sandhu.

“To be out there that much as freshmen is a big step, but I think we’ve done pretty well with it and taken advantage of it,” Koumontzis said.

Koumontzis may be showing the nation that he is one of the most talented freshmen in the country, but his power play linemate Johnny Walker is showing the country that he is one of the best players in all of college hockey.

Last week, in ESPN hockey writer Greg Wyshynski’s “Best Player in the World of the Week” story, Wyshynski named Johnny Walker the Best Player in the World, of the Week.

Walker leads the nation with eight goals, and his five assists give him an NCAA-high 13 points. While he admits that it is nice to be at the top of the points sheet, he does not want to lose focus on the team’s goal of making the NCAA tournament.

“It’s a good start,” Walker said, “but you can’t hang your hat on the first quarter of the season.”

Next. ASU Hockey: Johnny Walker’s scoring outburst pacing offense. dark

Walker, Koumontzis and the rest of the team will look to hang their hat on a complete, successful season. With Daccord in net, three strong pairings of defenders in the back and a high-flying offense up front, the Sun Devils will be tough competition this season.

All quotes in this article were obtained firsthand by Devils in Detail unless otherwise noted.