TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Mercyhurst University men's hockey team starts their season on the road when they travel to Arizona State for a two-game set with the Sun Devils Saturday and Sunday. 

The Lakers will have to replace some offensive production after losing their top four point producers from a season ago. Dalton Hunter is the top returning scorer after producing 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points last year. Steven Ipri added 23 points on eight goals and 15 assists while James Anderson returns 21 points on eight goals and 13 helpers. 

Mercyhurst returns three upperclassmen in net in redshirt-senior Garrett Metcalf, senior Colin DeAugustine and junior Stefano Cantali. Cantali made 17 starts with a 3.12 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. Metcalf posted a .902 save percentage and a 3.28 goals against. DeAugustine made five starts with an .891 save percentage. 

Head Coach Rick Gotkin enters his 32nd season with the Lakers with a fresh contract extension. Gotkin currently ranks second among active coaches in wins.

Arizona State is coming off a 21-win season and a bid to the NCAA tournament a year ago. The Sun Devils enter ranked 20th in the nation and return a wealth of experience on the backend. Six defensemen return for Arizona State from a year ago.  

The Sun Devils will have new faces in goal and at forward. Between the pipes Graduate transfer from Boston University Max Prawdzik and freshman Justin Robbins join returning sophomore Evan DeBrouwer  are all options. 

Puck drop for Saturday is 9:05 EST and Sunday's contest will be a 5 p.m. EST start.