This past weekend, the DI squad played host to defending National Champion and #4 ranked Bronchos of Central Oklahoma, as well as the #21 Oklahoma. Thursday was a competitive affair. With eight minutes to play in the third period, the Hogs trailed 2-1. A defensive breakdown allowed the Bronchos to capitalize and make the score 3-1. Just one minute later, UCO potted a fourth and went on to to win 4-1.
The close loss foretold good things for the weekend. On Friday, the Hogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead entering the third period. Arkansas had difficulty withstanding the Sooners’ surge; fewer than five minutes into the third period the Sooners scored two goals to tie the game. With under ten minutes to play, OU went to the power play on a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and capitalized late in the power play. That goal proved to be the difference-maker and the Sooners notched a 3-2 victory.
The Razorbacks evened things up with Oklahoma on Saturday. Although Oklahoma scored first and took a 2-1 lead into the lockerroom after the first frame, Arkansas potted a pair of unanswered goals in the second period and led 3-2 entering the third period. During an eventful third period, Arkansas would never trail. After scoring its fourth goal, the Razorbacks led 4-2. The final five minutes saw the teams combine for three goals–an empty-netter from Arkansas, a power-play marker from Oklahoma, and an additional even-strength goal for Oklahoma en route to a 5-4 Arkansas win.
The DI Razorbacks return home to face arch-rival #18 University of Alabama. The Tide are the only other SEC school that field a Division 1 team. Since moving to the Division I level, the Hogs own a 3-1-1 series edge over Alabama. The Hogs lone stumbles against the Tide came earlier this season when Arkansas traveled to Alabama. After dropping game one by a score of 5-2, the teams battled to a 2-2 stalemate that produced a shootout win for Alabama.
The Tide have not lost since that weekend and enter the weekend on a six-game winning streak sporting an overall record of 7-1-0. Both games will take place at the Jones Center in Springdale. Friday night’s puck drop is set for 7:30 PM while Saturday’s matinee tilt starts at 12:30 PM. Both games will be televised by Drop the Gloves Radio. Be on the lookout for a link to the games on the team’s Facebook page closer to game time.
Meanwhile, the Division III Razorbacks travel to Sioux City, IA to face Dordt College this weekend. Dordt enters the weekend with an overall 2-9 record, while the Razorbacks come in at 10-5 overall. These teams have met four times previously and the Hogs own a lifetime record of 3-0-1. The Division III Razorbacks enter the series having won five out of their last six games. Puck drop for Friday is set for 7:30 PM while puck drop on Saturday is set for 1:15 PM at Dordt.
