The University of Arizona Wildcats will face off against in-state rivals ASU on Feb. 20 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 Arizona 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, 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.”
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 №. 6 in their division.
Arizona Hockey is known as one of the founding members of the association, where they still compete at the Division 1 level.
The UA-ASU game is also Senior Night for the Wildcats. The explosive 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.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
