Arizona State Falls to Denver in Hakstol Debut
Dave Hakstol's first home game as Arizona State head coach ended in a 6-3 loss to Denver on Friday night.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Hockey
Arizona State lost 6-3 to Denver on Friday night in Dave Hakstol's home debut as head coach. Hakstol was named to the position on October 15, after Greg Powers parted ways with the university nearly two months after defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed from heat stroke during an August 20 outdoor workout.
Why it matters
The loss drops Arizona State to 5-4 overall and 1-2 in the NCHC as the program begins a new coaching era. Mayich remains hospitalized more than two months after the August collapse, a backdrop that shaped the coaching change.
Arizona State had a 3-1 record across two road series before the game, and Denver trailed for a total of 5:53. Denver scored two power-play goals after Landon Hafele received a five-minute major for elbowing, and once into an empty net.
The players
Dave Hakstol
Hakstol is a 58-year-old coach who previously led North Dakota to seven Frozen Fours.
Greg Powers
Powers was Arizona State's head coach before parting ways with the university this fall.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe whose hockey program competes in the NCHC.
The details
Denver broke a 2-2 tie with a third-period rebound goal by James Reeder after an Arizona State neutral-zone turnover. The game was played at Mullett Arena in Tempe, and the teams meet again Sunday in the second game of the series.
Timeline
August 20: Matthew Mayich collapsed from heat stroke during an outdoor workout.
October 15: Dave Hakstol was named Arizona State head coach.
Friday, November 6: Arizona State lost 6-3 to Denver.
Sunday, November 8: The second game of the Denver series is scheduled.
Season Trajectory
Hakstol brings seven Frozen Fours of North Dakota experience to a program now at 5-4 and 1-2 in the NCHC. Denver's 6-2-1 start and 3-0 conference mark set a demanding early benchmark for the Sun Devils.
The Sunday rematch offers Arizona State a chance to improve its 1-2 NCHC mark before the next stretch of conference play. Fantasy and roster watchers should track how Hakstol uses his lineup as the program adjusts to his system.
The takeaway
A coaching change mid-season tests a program's resilience, and early results will show how quickly the Sun Devils can adapt to Hakstol's approach.
What happens next
Arizona State and Denver meet again Sunday, November 8, in the second game of the series.
Further reading
Explore more Hockey coverage for context on the Sun Devils' new season.
