ASU Hockey: Sun Devils announce Jan. 5 home game vs. UConn

Arizona State will host Connecticut on the rink on Jan. 5 for the Sun Devils' first-ever NCAA Division I home game, ASU coach Greg Powers announced Thursday.

The matchup will be the third time ASU will face UConn in the 2015-16 season. The Sun Devils will travel to the XL Center in Hartford on Oct. 16 for UConn's home opener.

The game in Tempe will commemorate a busy week for the Sun Devils, who host the first Desert Hockey Classic scheduled for later that week at Gila River Arena. ASU is also expected to face UConn for a third time then, as the Huskies will be participating in the classic along with Yale and Michigan Tech.

UConn is a member of powerhouse conference Hockey East Association and went 10-19-7 in 2014-15.

According to the release, scheduling more Division I opponents should bring more exposure and experience to ASU, which promoted its hockey program to NCAA Division I status last November.

"This is a great opportunity for our young team to gain valuable experience against a very good Hockey East program like UConn," head coach Greg Powers said. "Equally as important, this gives our fans another opportunity to see NCAA Division I Hockey here in the Valley."