This past weekend, the Razorbacks traveled back to Springfield, MO for the annual Route 66 Showcase. The Razorbacks entered as two time defending champions, and were looking to go for three straight against tough competition from the north.
The Hogs began the weekend with a matchup against the Miami (OH) RedHawks. Arkansas took both meetings agains Miami last season, one at the Route 66 and one in pool play of the National Tournament. Both teams came ready to play seeing the Razorbacks take the lead, only to have the RedHawks answer each time. Both teams found themselves tied at the end of regulation. Senior captain Zach Wilson buried a beautiful shot on a one on one to win it for the Razorbacks in Overtime.
Game two featured the Hogs and a Ferris State Bulldogs team looking to turn things around following their Friday night loss to Missouri State. The Razorbacks took care of business against the Bulldogs and Sophomore goalie Grady Reis earned his first shutout of the season with a commanding 7-0 victory that featured Senior forward Griffin Sugasawara’s 100th career ACHA goal, and 200th career ACHA point all in the same play.
Sunday mornings’ matchup against the Davenport Panthers saw similar results as the Hogs once again played with a full team effort which led to another 7-0 shutout victory, this time, for Junior goaltender Sammy Haynes. This marked the fourth time in program history Arkansas would record back to back shutouts.
Despite a successful 3-0 weekend, the Hogs fell short of the Route 66 championship as game one against Miami (OH) was won in OT. Missouri State would claim the crown, winning all three games in regulation. The Razorbacks have seemingly found a new rhythm in their game and look to capitalize on it moving forward this season. The Hogs win streak grows to seven and the team improves to 10-2-0 on the season following this weekend. In all 8 seniors played their final games at Jordan Valley Ice Park, a home away from home for the Razorbacks with the Hogs playing and average of 5 games a season in Springfield.
The next home weekend for your Arkansas Razorbacks is against the University of Kansas Jayhawks on Friday, 10/28 at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, 10/29 at 3:15 pm. Friday will also feature the annual Pink the Rink game where fans are encouraged to support the Razorbacks while wearing pink to fight cancer.