If college hockey fans didn't know something was brewing on the ice in the desert already, they should know by now. No. 16 Arizona State got a huge split with No. 14 North Dakota, winning the initial contest on Friday 4-1 and coming up just short in overtime Saturday 4-3.
Even with a loss in the extra period, the program can view the weekend as a whole as a massive success. It can add another significant upset to its resume as it continues to try and convince poll voters the team belongs back in the postseason.
After Saturday's result, the Sun Devils are now in a three-way tie for first place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). ASU is making its debut in the conference this season and it appears to be going rather well.
In addition to toppling the Fighting Hawks, ASU swept then-No. 1 ranked Denver in late November which propelled the Devils into the national rankings. Since then, they're 7-1 and likely to make another jump in the next rankings release.
Arizona State hockey's split with North Dakota shows it's peaking at the right time
Joining a major conference like the NCHC is the best move ASU hockey could have made as it evolves into a premier destination for college hockey. The Sun Devils qualified for the 2019 NCAA tournament as an independent but since then have struggled to return, mostly for lack of a quality schedule.
Now with the likes of North Dakota, Denver, Western Michigan and more on its plate, ASU hockey has a huge opportunity to prove 2019 was no fluke. So far, they're convincing folks with major wins and an 11-8-1 record.
Just as ASU football entered its new home in the Big 12 and won the conference title in year one, Sun Devil hockey has a similar shot at making history and making a huge statement for the university's athletic department.
For now, ASU has no more ranked foes on its remaining schedule but that could always change. Nevertheless, a big series with St. Cloud State approaches and getting wins against that historic program would go a long way in the team's pursuit of the postseason.