Arizona men's hockey will face off against in-state rival ASU on Friday in the final game of the season.
This matchup at Tucson Arena is the fifth and final game in the Cactus Cup, with the series tied at 2-2.
The Wildcats are hoping to secure their eighth consecutive Cactus Cup title, awarded to the winner of the UA-ASU hockey series.
This year’s series has followed a pattern: UA opened with a 4-1 win over ASU on Dec. 5 at home before falling 4-1 the next night; when the series continued in Tempe, UA won the first match-up, 3-2 Jan. 16, but lost the next, 4-3 on Jan. 17.
The Wildcats have consistently struck first with high energy in each set, and with this final matchup returning to Tucson, they will look to turn that early momentum into a complete result.
“The Cactus Cup is always goal No. 1, so we have a job unfinished. We are preparing every day to make sure we are ready to rise to the occasion,” said head coach Chad Berman.
Since the last meeting with ASU, UA swept San Diego State in a two-game series but dropped both games against Grand Canyon University, falling 1-0 and 4-2. The Wildcats responded by sweeping Central Oklahoma in Edmond in a two-game road set.
That stretch sets the stage for a decisive home finale, where consistency will be key heading into the biggest game in Tucson hockey in years.
“We have been preparing adjustments since we saw them last and feel confident in the direction we are heading down the stretch,” said Berman.
Wildcats forward Justin Hughes described the rivalry and the intensity on the ice with the Cactus Cup on the line.
“Its definitely harder hitting, and tighter checking,” he said. “You can kind of feel that they hate you and you hate them.”
Arizona forward Justin Hughes, left, cheers after scoring against ASU in the first game of the Cactus Cup at Tucson Arena on Dec. 5. The Wildcats won that matchup 4-1.
Finishing the season with a win over ASU could be the difference as the Cats look to carry confidence into the national American Collegiate Hockey Association tournament in March, where they are currently ranked No. 6 in their division.
Arizona is known as one of the founding members of the association, where it still competes at the Division 1 level.
The UA-ASU game is also Senior Night for the Wildcats. The game will start at 7:30 p.m. at Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets can be purchased for $23-$35 through ticketmaster.com, VividSeats or at the Tucson Convention Center box office before the game.
