In its first ever trip to Wisconsin, the Razorbacks made their way to Oshkosh and Marquette from October 19-21–a stretch that included four games in a three day stretch. The grueling trip began with a pair of games against Division II University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The programs hooked up for a pair of games during the 12-13 season in Springdale, which saw the Hogs take both by 6-2 and 12-1 scores, respectively. Game one this season began with both teams trading chances in the first period until Mason Brower opened the scoring at the 6:40 mark of the first period. Ryan Machos added one more with just :49 seconds remaining in the period. The Hogs added a pair in the second period on tallies from Jansen Polk and Marcel Toure. With time winding down in the contest, Oshkosh broke the Arkansas shutout on a goal from Jason Atkinson.
Despite Saturday’s competitive 5-1 affair, Sunday’s rematch was not as close. The Razorbacks quickly jumped out to a three goal lead in the first and added five more in the second against the Titans’ lone second period tally. The Hogs added one more goal in the third en route to a dominant 9-1 result.
For only the second time in program history, the team played again that same day–this time against Marquette (DIII, Pacific Region) seventy-five miles away. Marquette, a 2012-13 Nationals Qualifier, entered the contest on a seven game winning streak. Marquette staked its only lead in the first period of game one with 11:02 remaining in the period. Arkansas responded three minutes later on a goal from senior Co-Captain Justin McDowell. With the game tied 1-1 entering the second, the Hogs added three more goals from freshman defenseman Brandon Van Rooyen, Justin McDowell, and senior forward Johnny Stromp. In addition to the 5-1 victory, the Hogs outshot Marquette 50-15 and won two games in a single day for the first time in team history.
In its final game of the trip, Ryan Machos opened the scoring in the first period for Arkansas–a score that remained until deep into the second period when Marcel Toure scored. Although Marquette quickly responded, Arkansas answered back on another goal from Toure. The third period was all Arkansas as it added three more goals–from Forest Mudgett, Logan Drake, and Martin Sundstedt–to produce a 6-1 victory and four game sweep of the road trip.
This weekend, Arkansas puts its ten game winning streak and two year home winning streak on the line against conference rival Ole Miss–also a 2012-13 Nationals Qualifier. The Razorbacks have not played host to an SEC opponent since the 2011-12 season. The puck drops at 7:30 pm on both Friday and Saturday night.
