Arkansas releases 19-20 schedule

The University of Arkansas Hockey Men’s Ice Hockey has announced its schedule for the 2019-20 season. It will be the teams thirteenth season participating in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The schedule features sixteen weekend home games across the season at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale. The schedule features a total of thirty-seven regular season games beginning in early September.

Following several seasons fielding two teams, this season will mark a return to the university fielding one team at the Division III level. Over thirteen seasons, the Razorbacks have amassed an overall record of 275-161-12, which includes a league-leading six total SECHC conference championships alongside four national tournament appearances. The Razorbacks are looking forward to this year’s campaign and improving on a third-place finish in the SECHC tournament and a #6 seed in the Pacific Regional tournament last season.

SEPTEMBER- HOME-STAND & FIRST CONFERENCE TEST

The Razorbacks start the season by defending home ice for six-games. The home-stand, which spreads across three weekends, begins with a pair of games against Dallas Baptist University on September 6 & 7. Next, the Hogs play host the University of Nebraska on September 13 & 14. In doing so, the Razorbacks will look to avenge a 1-0 loss to Nebraska at the Pacific Regional last season that ended the team’s hopes of back-to-back National Tournament appearances. The following weekend, September 20 & 21, the Hogs play host to another Pacific Region rival–Kansas University. Kansas is coming off a #1 seed finish in the Pacific Region and a season sweep of the Hogs during the 2018-19 season.

Following the season-opening home-stand, the Razorbacks hit the road and travel to Nashville for the first SECHC test against Vanderbilt. The Hogs took both games from Vanderbilt last season and are 13-2 all time against The Commodores.  Following a two game series, the Hogs will also tussle with Middle Tennessee State University prior to returning home.

OCTOBER- ONE STOP AT HOME & IMPACTFUL ROAD TRIPS

Following a week off, the Hogs first opponent in October will be a familiar one in long time rival, Missouri State University. Last year, the Hogs and Ice Bears split the season series 2-2 where home ice served as the deciding factor. Be sure to come out and bring the noise because this is the only home series in October for the Hogs!

For the first of two long trips in October, the Hogs take their game to Michigan for a four-game series against three Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference programs. First up is the University of Michigan on October 19, which marks the first meeting between the two programs. Next, the Hogs will travel to face Oakland University for the first time on October 20. Finally, on October 21 & 22, the Hogs finish the trip with two games against Grand Valley State University, which finished as the 2018-19 National Runner-up. The Hogs are 3-1 all time against GVSU.

To close out October, the Hogs travel to Huntsville, Alabama, from October 25-27 to compete in the Huntsville College Hockey Showcase.

NOVEMBER- FALL HOME FINALE & A RIVALRY RENEWED

November begins on the road when the Razorbacks travel to Springfield, MO, to participate in the Route 66 Showcase for the third year in a row. Games will take place between November 8-10 and opponents are yet to be announced. Last season, Arkansas went 1-1-1 against Wisconsin-Platteville, Nebraska and Kansas.

Prior to finishing the semester on the road, the Hogs return to the friendly confines of The Jones Center for a two game series against Washington University at St Louis on November 15 & 16. This pair of games will mark the first meeting between these two Pacific Region programs.

Finally, on November 22, Arkansas travels to Alabama to renew a familiar rivalry. These games will be the first of a home and home season series with the final pair of games occurring back in the friendly confines of the Jones Center. Arkansas currently leads the overall series 14-4-1.

DECEMBER- TOUGH ROAD TESTS TO FINISH THE SEMESTER

For the first of two tough road tests in December, the Hogs will travel to Mississippi to face-off against SECHC-West rival Ole Miss. The Razorbacks lead the overall series 17-7 but lost three of four to the Rebels last season. Arkansas finishes the fall semester with a quick trip up to Independence, MO, to finish out the season series with the University of Kansas.

JANUARY- BACK TO WORK

The spring semester begins with a tough SECHC test. The Hogs play host to the University of Alabama-Huntsville on January 17 & 18. This will be the first meeting between the two programs since UAH was accepted into the SECHC last season. The Razorbacks travel to Springfield, Missouri, the following weekend to close out the season series with rival Missouri State on January 24 & 25. Finally, to close out the month of January, East Texas Baptist University visits the Hogs on January 31 & February 1.

FEBRUARY- FINAL PUSH FOR THE POST SEASON

Following last season’s SECHC league expansion, only the top eight teams in the league will qualify for tournament play. Should the Razorbacks qualify, the SECHC Tournament is scheduled for February 8, 9 & 10 in Nashville, TN. Arkansas finishes the month back home for one more round against rival University of Alabama on February 14 & 15. Senior Night is scheduled for Saturday the 15th.

MARCH- REGIONAL AND NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

Should the Razorbacks qualify for the post-season tournament, the Pacific Regional tournament is scheduled for March 6 & 7, with the location unannounced. The top ten teams in each region qualify for the post season, with the 1 & 2 seeds receiving a bye to the National Tournament (learn more here).

The National Tournament is scheduled for March 24-28th in Dallas, TX.

Check out the full schedule here!