Series preview: Gophers men vs. Arizona State

3 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday, 3M Arena at Mariucci TV: Big Ten Network both days • Radio: 103.5-FM, 1130-AM

Season resumes with visit from Sun Devils

Gophers at a glance: Top-ranked Minnesota (8-0) returns to action for the first time since Dec. 9 by playing host to Arizona State, which is playing a 28-game, all-road schedule against the seven Big Ten teams. The Gophers and Sun Devils have met in one series, with Minnesota sweeping 5-1 and 5-2 at home in March 2019. In the finale, Sun Devils defenseman Jacob Wilson received a five-minute major, game disqualification and two-game suspension for a hit to the head of Gophers winger Sampo Ranta. Gophers coach Bob Motzko said ASU delivered "dirty hits" that weekend. … Centers Scott Reedy (six goals, three assists for nine points) and Ben Meyers (4-5-9) lead the Gophers in scoring. Reedy has goals in four of the past five games, and Meyers in three of the past four.

Sun Devils at a glance: Arizona State (4-6-2) went 0-3-1 to start the season but rebounded with a sweep at Wisconsin and a win and tie at Ohio State. … Senior forward Johnny Walker, who has 60 goals over the past three seasons, might return from a lower-body injury. Freshman forward Matthew Kopperud (7-6-13) leads the Sun Devils in scoring. Tied for second on the team with eight points are sophomore Jax Murray, a former Elk River standout, and junior Demetrios Koumontzis, an Arizona native who played his senior season at Edina High School. … Junior Evan Debrouwer (3-4-1, 3.00 goals-against average, .918 save percentage) and freshman Cole Brady (1-2-1, 4.17, .893) have split time in goal.

Randy Johnson