Razorbacks Finish September 3-2-1 After Strong Start to 2026-27 Season
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Arkansas Hockey opened the 2026-27 season with a strong September, earning points in each of its first four games before a difficult home series against Drury closed out the month.
The Razorbacks finished September with a 3-2-1 record, scoring 22 goals while allowing 23 across six games. Arkansas began the season with four consecutive games without a regulation loss, including a road sweep of Middle Tennessee State and a successful weekend at Nebraska Omaha.
Razorbacks Open Season with Sweep of MTSU
Arkansas began its season Sept. 4-5 with a road trip to Antioch, Tennessee, for a two-game series against Middle Tennessee State University.
The Razorbacks opened the year with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Blue Raiders.
MTSU struck first in the opening period, but Arkansas forward Jake Bamback quickly answered before adding a power-play goal in the second period to give the Razorbacks the lead. After MTSU tied the game at two, Arkansas defenseman Darrel Smith scored from the blue line in the third period to put the Razorbacks back in front for good.
Arkansas returned the following night and earned another one-goal victory, defeating MTSU 4-3 to complete the sweep.
The Razorbacks built an early advantage behind goals from Luke Yeary, Will Sloan and Liam Pouliot. MTSU mounted a third-period comeback, but Sloan’s second goal of the night provided the eventual game-winner and helped Arkansas escape Tennessee with a perfect 2-0 start.
The opening series demonstrated Arkansas’ ability to win close games, with both contests decided by a single goal.
Arkansas Remains Unbeaten in Omaha
The Razorbacks remained on the road the following weekend, traveling to Omaha for a two-game series against the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Arkansas and UNO battled to a 4-4 tie on Sept. 11, marking the first time the Razorbacks failed to earn a victory but keeping their unbeaten start intact.
Arkansas responded the following day with another strong defensive performance, defeating UNO 2-1.
The victory improved Arkansas to 3-0-1 through its first four games and completed an impressive opening stretch in which all four contests were played away from home.
Through those first four games, the Razorbacks had scored 13 goals while allowing just 10.
Drury Hands Arkansas First Losses of the Season
After opening the season with four games on the road, Arkansas returned to Springdale for its first home series of the year, hosting Drury University on Sept. 25-26.
The weekend proved to be Arkansas’ toughest test of September.
Friday night’s opener developed into a high-scoring battle. Arkansas scored five times but suffered its first defeat of the season as Drury escaped with a 6-5 overtime victory.
The two teams returned to the ice Saturday, but the Panthers again found success offensively. Drury scored seven times and completed the weekend sweep with a 7-4 victory over Arkansas.
The two losses brought an end to Arkansas’ unbeaten start and represented a sharp contrast to the Razorbacks’ first four games. After allowing only 10 goals through their opening four contests, Arkansas surrendered 13 over the two games against Drury.
Still, the Razorbacks generated plenty of offense of their own, scoring nine goals during the weekend.
September Results
Sept. 4 — Arkansas 3, MTSU 2
Sept. 5 — Arkansas 4, MTSU 3
Sept. 11 — Arkansas 4, UNO 4
Sept. 12 — Arkansas 2, UNO 1
Sept. 25 — Drury 6, Arkansas 5 (OT)
Sept. 26 — Drury 7, Arkansas 4
September by the Numbers
Record: 3-2-1
Goals For: 22
Goals Against: 23
Goal Differential: -1
Road Record: 3-0-1
Home Record: 0-2-0
Razorbacks Turn Their Attention to October
September provided Arkansas with both an encouraging start and an early test of adversity.
The Razorbacks demonstrated an ability to win tight games during their opening road trips, taking three one-goal victories and earning a tie through their first four contests. The Drury series exposed areas for improvement, particularly defensively, but Arkansas still exits the opening month with points from four of six games.
With six games now in the books, the Razorbacks turn their attention to October looking to build on the successful stretches that produced their 3-0-1 start while responding to the lessons of their first two defeats.
The opening month showed a Razorback team capable of competing in close games, producing offense and finding success away from home. October will provide the next opportunity for Arkansas to turn those early-season positives into consistency as the 2026-27 campaign continues.
