(Photo: DJ Lein/flickr)

It’s been too long since I’ve experienced the smell of an ice rink. It’s one that stays with you, it’s one of a kind. So when I walked into Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe, Arizona on Friday night I felt like I had come home.

As a student at the University of Arizona, I was in no way a completely unbiased third party observer to the UA and ASU Hockey Clubs battling it out. I have to admit, before Friday night I didn’t know much about college level hockey, I had no idea what I was walking into.

I can only say that Friday and Saturday night of September 28 and 29 were some of the most fun I’ve had since entering college. Friday night was not the type of game that I thought with the Sun Devils demolishing the Wildcats 11-3. Nevertheless, I knew that Saturday night would be the real show.

Neither team disappointed. The Ice Cats were explosive, to say the least. I mean explosive in every sense of the word too. The Devils’ penalty kill was outstanding. I was watching real, competitive hockey and I was loving every minute of it.

Though the NHL is in a lockout, there is still hockey to be played! Those looking for hockey that is fun to watch and a good time will be beyond delighted to watch either of these teams.

On October 5 the Devils will take on Iowa State in Ames, Iowa and on October 12 the Cats will arrive in Illinois. I wish both teams the best of luck (you guys have no idea how hard it was to say both right there). I for one though, am looking forward to the first weekend in November. The Cats will be playing the Devils again, this time in Tucson.

Though neither team is NCAA this is an awesome chance for those going through withdrawals to catch some solid hockey. I know I will be seen in Tucson’s arena more than a couple times this season.