From UNLV Hockey
By Kyndall Windham
The Skatin’ Rebels open the 2026-27 season on the road this weekend against Arizona State, a Sun Devils team that has already played seven games.
ASU enters the series with a 3-4-0 record, including losses to San Diego State, UMary and two games against Minot State.
The Rebels and Sun Devils will meet Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 2 at 3:30 p.m. in Tempe.
Rebels on the Ice
The Rebels enter the matchup after finishing last season 25-4-1 and reaching the national semifinals.
“I think we have to keep it simple. Just do the little things first,” head coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener said. “The first period, everybody just execute on their zone assignments and make sure pucks are getting behind their [defense].”
Over the last five road series, UNLV has gone 7-3 against ASU, but Game 1 has been particularly challenging. In three of the past five seasons, the Rebels have lost the opening game of the series, while the other two were decided by one goal.
In four of the past five seasons, UNLV has responded with a Game 2 win after a close or difficult opening game.
“They usually get us every year at their building. We come in there always slow, but we’re ready this year. We’re prepared,” Kuntz said. “Our game, our practices are always the fastest pace, so I think we’re really ready for this year.”
Junior captain Dillon Kuntz enters his third season with the Rebels after recording seven goals and 30 assists for 37 points in 72 career games.
The defenseman finished among UNLV’s top five scoring defensemen last season and will take on an even larger role this year as the Rebels’ captain, both on the ice and in the locker room.
Senior forward and assistant captain Mason Kelly will also be an important piece of the Rebels’ lineup this season.
Through 93 career games, Kelly has recorded 26 goals and 38 assists for 64 points, providing UNLV with a proven offensive presence entering his final season with the program.
As one of the team’s assistant captains, Kelly will also take on a larger leadership role both on the ice and in the locker room.
The Rebels have several returning players to watch this season, including sophomore forward Luke Backel, who has recorded 36 career points. His speed, goal-scoring ability, and confidence on the ice have made him a key contributor to the Rebels’ success.
Goaltending will also be an area to watch as the Rebels open the season with a younger roster.
UNLV returns sophomore goaltender Owen Zenone, who appeared in two games last season against San Diego State and Colorado State. Zenone recorded shutouts in both appearances, making 25 saves across the two games.
The Rebels also added two goaltenders this season: freshman Jimmy Mologousis, who joins the program from the NCDC, and junior transfer Liam Choquette from NCAA Division III Nichols College.
With three goaltenders available, the Rebels have multiple options between the pipes heading into Thursday’s series opener.
Scouting the Sun Devils
ASU enters the series against UNLV on a three-game losing streak, including a 3-2 home opener loss to San Diego State.
Despite the loss, the Sun Devils outshot SDSU 62-31, showing they can generate offensive pressure even when results have not gone their way. With ASU looking to end its losing streak, the Rebels will face a team with added urgency entering the series.
Through its first seven games, ASU has several players who have established themselves as offensive contributors. Forward Lucas Dyer has appeared in every game and leads the Sun Devils with five goals and three assists, including three power-play goals.
Caden Butler and Jake King have also made an impact, entering the series with six points apiece. Both have played in all seven games, recording two goals and four assists.
On defense, Keaton Toenjes has recorded two goals and two assists in four games. One of his goals came while the Sun Devils were shorthanded.
ASU has also used four goaltenders through its first seven games. Nathaniel Glenn has seen the most consistent action, posting a 1-3-0 record with a 3.50 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage.
What to Watch
The Rebels enter Tempe with a challenge: opening the season against an ASU team that has already played seven games.
While UNLV has found success against the Sun Devils in recent road matchups, the Rebels have rarely had an easy start to these series, making the opening game especially important.
For UNLV, the focus will be on establishing its game early, limiting ASU’s offensive opportunities and staying disciplined as the Sun Devils look to build on their home-ice advantage.
ASU has shown a willingness to generate a high volume of shots and push late in games, giving the Rebels another area to monitor throughout the series.
After a full preseason of preparation, UNLV will finally get its chance to put that work to the test.
“I want to be tough to play against in all three zones. I want to be the hardest-working team on the ice, no matter how much skill we have,” Vignieri-Greener said. “This is the most skilled team we’ve ever had here, but we can’t take a night off no matter who it’s against.”
(Originally published at https://www.rebelhockey.com/articles/unlv-sets-off-to-arizona-for-first-games-of-season-against-sun-devils-muojyu73)
