DIII returns home looking to continue its winning ways

Last weekend, the Division III Ice Hogs traveled to Texas to take on the SMU Mustangs as the Hogs looked to defend their undefeated record. On Saturday, October 13, the Mustangs got on the board halfway through the first period. But Arkansas answered back that period with three goals—one each from Cameron Faranetta, Brooks Moore and Tyler Valdron. Up 3-1 entering the second frame, SMU would score two more goals but the Hogs poured in four more of their own. Griffin Sugasawara scored two for the Ice Hogs while Tyler Valdron and Alex Parisi each notched one to push the Razorback lead to 7-3 entering the third period.

SMU would only score one more goal in the third period while the Ice Hogs put up still four more. Behind markers from Corey Rees, Garrett Jackson, Dylan Odelein, and Tyler Valdron, Arkansas bagged an 11-4 win. Tyler Valdron ended the night with a hat trick.

Sunday’s rematch brought more of the same. This time, though, it was the Ice Hogs getting on the board first as they owned the first period, scoring four goals. Griffin Sugasawara scored two for the Hogs while Parker Tillson and Nick Valentini each scored one to give the Hogs a 4-0 lead going into the second period. In the second period, things were a little more even as each team scored two goals. Brooks Moore and Corey Rees each scored a goal for the Hogs and Arkansas led 6-2 entering the third period.

The final frame was all Hogs. Griffin Sugasawara scored one goal to earn the hat trick, while Aidan Everett scored two goals, and Brooks Moore scored one for the Hogs. The Razorbacks cruised to a 10-3 victory.

This weekend the DIII Hogs return home to face Pacific Region foe Kansas University (5-1-0). The Hogs the weekend undefeated. Meanwhile, Kansas is riding a four game winning streak. The two programs have met a total of fourteen times and have split the series at seven wins apiece. The Ice Hogs and Jayhawks face off at 7:30 pm on Friday the 19th, and 11:00 am on Saturday the 20th. Both games are at the Jones Center. The Razorback Hockey program will have jerseys on sale this weekend for $75 a piece.

The University of Arkansas fields two hockey teams. The Division I team recently released its 2018-19 schedule (view here). It has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

 

 

 

Division I heads to Philadelphia; Division III takes on SMU

This past weekend the Division I Razorbacks played their first home games of the 2018-19 campaign against WCHL conference rivals, Arizona and Arizona State. On Thursday, October 4, the Hogs took on Arizona State. The Ice Hogs got on the board early in the first period thanks to a goal from Alex DeGuire (assisted by Shaun Foster and Chris Stovall). About seven minutes later, Division I newcomer Alex Kueser scored to put the Hogs up 2-0 (assisted by rookie Andy Williams). But the Sun Devils cut the lead to one with about three minutes left to make the score 2-1 Hogs going into the second period.

Late in the second period Dominic de la Guardia scored, assisted by Chris Stovall, to put the Hogs up 3-1. Then, early in the third period, Chris Stovall scored a goal of his own to increase the lead to three as the Hogs went up 4-1. But the Sun Devils would go on to score five unanswered goals and took the lead, 6-4. With six minutes left in the game, veteran Luc Gradisar cut the Devils’ lead to just one. The Hogs lost the contest by a final score of 6-5.

On Friday, October 5, the Wildcats of Arizona came to town and the game was eerily similar to the previous night’s contest. The Hogs jumped out to the lead in the first period as Tyler Valentin and Chris Stovall each scored to put the Hogs up 2-0. In the second, the Wildcats scored to make the score 2-1. Less than a minute later, Cory Delisle scored to put the Hogs up 3-1 entering the third period. But the Wildcats scored four unanswered goals and defeated the Hogs by a 5-3 margin.

Arkansas got some measure of revenge against on Arizona on Saturday the 6th. The Wildcats got on the board in the first period and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. The second period was all Hogs as Matt Lasky and Cory Delisle each scored to give the Hogs a 2-1 lead after forty minutes. Five minutes into the third period, Josh Staenz scored to increase the lead to 3-1. Luc Gradisar notched an assist and, in doing so, earned his 100th collegiate point with the Razorbacks. Arizona would score one more but the Hogs took the victory and in doing so won their first game of the season, 3-2.

The Division I Razorbacks hit the road this weekend, traveling for the first time to Philadelphia, PA, to take on four first-time Division I opponents. Games begin on Friday, October 12, when the Hogs face West Chester (4-2-0) at 7:00 pm CST. On Saturday the 13th, Arkansas will face Temple (3-4-0) at 1:30 PM CST. Then, on Sunday the 14th, the Razorbacks will tangle with Villanova (2-5-0) at 12:10 CST. The long weekend will close on Monday evening at 6:05 CST when Arkansas will face Drexel (4-1-0).

Meanwhile, the Division III Ice Hogs (6-0-0) will put their undefeated record on the line when they travel to Texas to take on the Mustangs of Southern Methodist University. These two teams have never met before. Game one against SMU begins at 3:00 PM CST on Saturday the 13th and puck drop for the rematch is set for 12:30 PM CST on Sunday the 14th.

The University of Arkansas fields two hockey teams.  The Division I team recently released its 2018-19 schedule (view here). It has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

 

Division I set for home opener; Undefeated Division III team idle

The Division I Razorbacks (0-3-0) began their season on the road in Oklahoma last weekend, facing WCHL conference opponents Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma. They first faced the Bronchos from UCO Thursday evening. The Ice Hogs struck first as rookie Dakota Gottlieb scored his first collegiate goal, assisted by Matt Lasky, which put the Hogs up 1-0 in the first. The Bronchos would strike back twice in the first to make the score 2-1 entering the second period. The Bronchos scored the lone goal in the second frame and led 3-1 going into the third period. With less than 15 seconds left in the game, Tyler Valentin scored to push the final score to 3-2. .

Against OU on Friday night, rookie Cam McAtee scored his first collegiate goal four minutes into the contest to give the Hogs a 1-0 lead. After a scoreless second period, the Sooners tied things up 1-1 early in the third. Then, with under three minutes to play in regulation, the Sooners scored the game winning goal en route to a 2-1 victory.

The weekend closed on Saturday with a rematch against the Sooners. The first period was all Oklahoma as they took a 2-0 lead entering the second. The teams traded goals in the second frame and, in the third period, Shaun Foster assisted veteran Collin Young to cut the deficit to one goal. The Ice Hogs ultimately fell 3-2.

Tonight, the Division Ice Hogs begin play at home as #16 Arizona (3-0-0) and #24 Arizona State (1-5-0) visit the Jones Center in Springdale. Arkansas opens against Arizona State this evening at  7:15 PM. The Hogs will be looking for the program’s first win all-time against Arizona State. Then, on Friday at 7:30 PM and Saturday at 5:00 PM, the Razorbacks tangle with the Wildcats from the University of Arizona. The Wildcats enter the weekend undefeated after sweeping Arizona State last weekend in their two game series. Arizona leads the series over the Hogs 1-4-1, as the Hogs will be looking for their first win over the Wildcats since 2016. On Friday night, the Hogs will be raffling off a game worn jersey signed by the team. The first fifty adult guests at the Friday night game will also receive a free Razorback Hockey koozie.

Meanwhile, the Division III team last weekend continued their winning ways by sweeping rival Missouri State. In the first game against the Bears, the Ice Hogs got on the board halfway through the first period thanks to a goal from Zach Palmer. Then Grant Deacon pushed the lead to 2-0 by scoring nine minutes into the second period. Missouri State cut the lead in half just minutes later, making the score 2-1 going into the third period. The Ice Bears struck first in the third–tying the game up 2-2. With under 10 minutes left to go in the game rookie, Trevor McLain scored to put the Hogs up 3-2. Then, with about three minutes to go in the third, Aidan Everett sealed the victory by putting the Hogs on the board again en route to a 4-2 victory.

The Ice Hogs and Bears met again on Saturday the 29th at the Jones Center. Arkansas jumped out to a 1-0 lead four minutes into the game thanks to a goal from Alex Parisi. Trevor McLain scored halfway through the first frame to put the Hogs up 2-0. About two minutes later, rookie James Wheeler scored his first goal of the season to extend the lead to 3-0. After the Ice Hogs took a five-minute major penalty late in the first period, the Ice Bears scored three unanswered goals to tie the game. The Bears struck again to take the lead 4-3 at the outset of the second period. Grant Deacon struck back for the Hogs tying the game up 4-4 later in the period. Alex Parisi scored his second goal of the game with just five minutes remaining in regulation to put the Hogs up 5-4. The Hogs went on to win 5-4 and improve their record to 6-0. The Division III Hogs have a bye this weekend and return to action next weekend on the road against SMU.

The University of Arkansas fields two hockey teams.  The Division I team released its 2018-19 schedule (view here). It has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

 

 

 

DIII Hogs stays hot, DI set for season opener in Oklahoma

Photo credit: Edward Matthews

The DIII Ice Hogs had themselves a weekend at the Jones Center. The North Texas Mean Green only showed up with just eight players on their roster, so the Hogs were expected to win big, and they did just that. On Friday, the Razorbacks went out and took a 3-0 lead after the first period, with goals from Brooks Moore, Garret Jackson, and Griffin Sugasawara. And they didn’t slow down after that; the Hogs scored four goals in the second period, and three in the third. Dylan Odelein put the cherry on top–finishing off his hat trick to put the Hogs up 10-0 with 5:10 remaining in the game, and that would be the final.

Arkansas and North Texas squared off again on Saturday morning. The Hogs picked up on the scoring right away. Just 41 seconds into the game, Trevor McLain put Arkansas up 1-0, and he would eventually put up a hat trick in the first period alone. The Hogs went to the locker room up 10-0 at the end of the first period. In the second, Dylan Odelein put up his second hat trick in as many days to put the Hogs up 17-1 going into the final frame. The third period was a little quieter, and the final score ended 18-2 Razorbacks.

This weekend on Friday and Saturday at the Jones Center, The DIII Ice Hogs will face Missouri State University who will be opening their season. Friday’s game will be at 7:30 pm, and the rematch on Saturday will begin at 11:30 am. The Hogs will look to improve on their 4-0 record for the season. The DIII Hogs faced Missouri State three times last season. After losing the first time 3-1, Arkansas went on to beat Missouri State twice in a row at their place 7-3 and 5-1. All time the Ice Hogs are 19-8 against the DIII Ice Bears.

Meanwhile, the Division I Ice Hogs will open their season with a trip to Oklahoma this weekend. First stop will be at the University of Central Oklahoma on Thursday at 8:00 pm. The Bronchos are coming into the weekend after being swept by Lindenwood last weekend. The DI Hogs faced UCO three times last year. Then the defending National Champions, UCO beat the Hogs in all three meetings. On Friday, Arkansas heads to Oklahoma City to face off against Oklahoma University at 7:00 pm, and then play them again on Sunday at 4:00 pm. The Hogs faced Oklahoma twice last year at the Jones Center. Coming away 1-1 with a 3-2 loss and a 5-4 win. The Sooners are coming into the weekend after splitting their series with Alabama last weekend.

The Division I Ice Hogs return sixteen players, including last year’s team points leader and leading scorer, Luc Gradisar. The The team also returns leading point-getters Chris Stovall and Cory Delisle. Arkansas welcomes ten new faces to the team this season. Several of the new faces are coming in from last year’s Division III ranks, including standouts Alex Kueser and Jozef Dusenka.

The University of Arkansas fields two hockey teams.  The Division I team recently released its 2018-19 schedule (view here). It has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

Division III set to host North Texas in second consecutive home series

On Friday and Saturday, September 14 and 15, the Division III Ice Hogs opened up their twelfth season against SECHC rival Vanderbilt.

On Friday, the Hogs got off to a hot start in the first period by jumping out to a 2-0 lead over the Commodores. Both goals were scored by rookie Griffin Sugasawara. Veterans Aiden Everett and Zach Palmer got the assists on the goals. Seventeen seconds into the second period Zach Palmer rung up another one for the Hogs, with the assist from Aiden Everett to go up 3-0. With 7:21 remaining in the game, sophomore Alex Parisi gave the Hogs a 4-0 lead and rookie Trevor McClain received credit for the assist. The Hogs would end up getting the victory, beating the Commodores 4-1.

Saturday’s rematch started a bit slower.  Following a scoreless first period, senior Aiden Everett put one on the board for the Hogs 1:50 into the second period, assisted by rookie Dylan Odelein. With six minutes left in the second period, veteran Alex Kueser gave the Hogs a 2-0, as Dylan Odelein picked up his second assist. Twelve seconds after the Commodores cut the lead in half, Alex Kueser rung up another goal for the Hogs to go up 3-1. Alex Kueser scored his third goal of the game in thee final frame to push the Razorback lead to 4-2. Later in the third, Griffin Sugasawara scored and then, with seven minutes remaining in the game, Kueser scored his fourth goal of the game to give the Hogs a 6-2 win.

Following the Vanderbilt sweep, Arkansas faces the University of North Texas (1-3-0) on September 21 & 22. The two teams have met five times previously with the Ice Hogs owning a lifetime series lead of 4-1. The teams last met during the 2010-2011 season, when they faced one another three times. The Ice Hogs would sweep the Mean Green that season, beating them 7-5, 1-0 and 1-0. Puck drop on Friday will be at 7:30 PM on then 11:00 AM on Saturday.

The University of Arkansas fields two hockey teams.  The Division I team recently released its 2018-19 schedule (view here). It has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

 

 

Division III set to defend SECHC title against conference rival Vanderbilt

Photo credit: Christopher Ley

On Friday and Saturday, September 14 and 15, the Division III Ice Hogs (0-0-0) will open up their twelfth season against SECHC opponent the Vanderbilt Commodores (0-0-0). The 2018-19 Division III Razorbacks have big shoes to fill. After all, the 2017-18 campaign saw the team earn a 25-6-2 overall record, a sixth conference SECHC Championship, and make the program’s first appearance at the National Tournament since 2015. The defending SECHC Champion Ice Hogs enter the series sporting an overall 11-2 all-time record against the Commodores. Two of those eleven wins came last season with one coming in the opening game of the SECHC tournament. The Commodores last defeated the Ice Hogs on November 4, 2016 at the Jones Center in a spirited 5-4 affair.

The 18-19 Division III Ice Hog roster includes nine new faces. Notable among them are Trevor McLain who recently completed a season of junior hockey in the SIJHL with Thief River Falls. The Dallas, Texas, native logged two junior seasons overall, including stints in 2016-17 with the Wichita Jr. Thunder and Dallas Snipers–both of the WSHL. Joining McLain will be Corey Rees, a returner who spent his first season with the Division I Razorbacks where he logged eighteen games patrolling the blueline. Arkansas will lean on returners F-Grant Deacon, F-Jacob Yaseen, and D-Zach Palmer to provide stability as the team settles into the season. Meanwhile, goaltenders Dalton Baker and Alex Kalmes return to shore up netminding responsibilities.

Like Arkansas, Vanderbilt has not yet played a game. After a successful 2016-17 campaign that saw the Commodores earn a 13-5-1 overall record, the program logged a 4-11-1 overall record last season. The puck drops at 7:30 PM on the 14th and 11:00 AM on the 15th at the Jones Center in Springdale. Ticket information and lodging options for out of town guests is available here.

The University of Arkansas fields two hockey teams. The Division I team recently released its 2018-19 schedule (view here). It has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). The Division I Razorbacks will open the 2018-19 campaign at home on October 4 against league-rival Arizona State.

 

 

Andrew Falls joins the program as Head Coach for Division I

The University of Arkansas Razorback Men’s Ice Hockey Program is pleased to announce Andrew Falls as its next ACHA Division I Head Coach. Coach Falls comes to Arkansas after serving as a Graduate Assistant for Wagner College’s Men’s Hockey program.

Born in Jackson, Tennessee, and raised in Nashville, Coach Falls played for four years in the ACHA for McKendree University where, in 2016, he helped the Bearcats qualify for the National Championship. After college he worked in the front office of the St. Louis Blues and SPHL’s Knoxville Ice Bears. During his time with Wagner College, he help transform a one-win team in 2016-2017 into a team that qualified for a conference tournament appearance in 2017-18. That campaign also saw Seahawks earn a win over a Division I opponent.

When discussing what drives him to coach hockey, Coach Falls said, “I coach hockey because of how rewarding it is to be a mentor and to build lifelong friendships with the players. Hockey is in my blood and without it, I’m simply not the same person.”

Coach Falls is no stranger to the Razorback Hockey program, “Razorback Hockey has one of the strongest foundations of any team at this level. As an opponent who has had to play at the Jones Center, I was blown away by the fan-base and the deafening support that the team received. It truly is not a fun place to be the visitor.”

In looking to the future and where Coach Falls would like to see the program go, he stated “My goal for the program is to capitalize on the incredible progress that’s been made, and elevate this program to the next level. If the next five years are as good as the last five years, we’ll be competing for national championships.”

“Kevin Cole chose to withdraw from the position for personal reasons and we wish him all the best,” said Coach Gallini, the Program’s Director. He added, “We were elated that Coach Falls was still on the market and elected to come to Arkansas.”

Coach Falls and the Division I Razorbacks play their first game of the 2018-19 season on September 27th in Edmond, OK, where they will faceoff against WCHL rival University of Central Oklahoma. The team opens its home season October 4 against another conference rival–Arizona State.

The University of Arkansas fields two hockey teams.  The Division I team recently released its 2018-19 schedule (view here). It has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here).   The Division III team will in 2018-19 begin its twelfth season competing in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here).  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

St. Louis defenseman McAtee commits to Arkansas

The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce that D-Cam McAtee has committed to Arkansas. The 5’11” 205 lbs. right-shooting Defenseman recently completed his junior hockey career with the St. Louis Jr. Blues (NA3HL).

McAtee, a native of Wentzville, MO joins the Razorbacks after spending seven years with the St. Louis Jr. Blues organization. During the 2017-18 campaign, McAtee served as the team’s Assistant Captain and averaged more than a point per game, scoring 15 goals in 46 games while adding 33 assists. In 2016-17, posted 27 points in 31 games (3 goals, 24 assists). In 166 total games with the Jr. Blues, McAtee amassed an impressive 28 goals and 87 assists.

McAtee also took part in the 2016 NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament, scoring a goal in the event. He also spent a portion of the 2014-15 season playing in the NAPHL for the St. Louis Selects 18U team.

McAtee, who plans to study Criminal Justice, commented, “I love being on the ice and I can’t wait to win my first college championship.” Regarding his commitment to the University of Arkansas more specifically, McAtee said, I chose the University of Arkansas because of the academics and what they had to offer for my degree.” He added, “I chose to play hockey here because I feel like I can develop my game more while also getting a good degree.”

The University of Arkansas fields two hockey teams.  The Division I team just released its 2018-19 schedule (view here). It has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here).   The Division III team will in 2018-19 begin its twelfth season competing in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here).  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

 

Open tryout dates announced

Photo credit: Edward Matthews

Tryouts are just days away.  Below is the upcoming tryout schedule.  If you’d like to tryout, but have not yet expressed interest, fill out a prospective player form here.  Players must attend all sessions.

August 23, 8:15-11:00 pm
August 24, 5:00 pm (off-ice testing)
August 25, 3:45-6:30 pm
August 26, 9:00-11:45 am

All sessions are open to the public at no admission cost.  Even if you are not interested in trying out, the Arkansas Men’s Ice Hockey team has a few remaining board positions for students during the 2018-19 season.  Academic credit is available for RESM students.  Please email Division I Graduate Assistant Chris Hussein (chussein@email.uark.edu) for more more information.

Our Division III team has won the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference post-season playoff tournament six times (09-10, 10-11, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15, 17-18) and and the regular season SEC-West conference championship five times (09-10, 10-11, 11-12, 12-13, 13-14).  In its short history, the Division III team has appeared at Nationals four times (09-10, 13-14, 14-15, 17-18), made numerous appearances at the regional tournament, and is consistently ranked in the top ten in our region during the regular season.

The 15-16 season was the first for the Arkansas hockey program fielding two teams.  That season, Division I team finished #21–the highest finish in ACHA history for any team in its first DI season after moving from DIII.  The team’s #21 finish also gave Arkansas the best finish of any of the five teams that made the jump to Division I during the 15-16 season season.

During the 18-19 season, the University of Arkansas will again field both a Division I and Division III team.  Both teams recently released their 18-19 season schedules.  You can see the Division I schedule here and the Division III schedule here.

Andy Williams chooses Arkansas

The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce that F-Andy Williams has committed to Arkansas. The 6’0” 185 lbs. left-shooting forward recently completed two collegiate seasons playing for Williston State College.

Williams, a native of Ft. Worth, Texas, joins the Razorbacks after a junior college career that spanned two years. During his most recent 2017-18 campaign with the Tetons, Williams served as Assistant Captain and scored 27 goals in 32 games while notching 16 assists. For his efforts, Williams was named team MVP. In 21 games during the 2016-17 season, Williams accrued 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists).

Prior to his arrival at Williston State, Williams played three seasons of junior hockey. In 46 games for the Dells Ducks of the USPHL in 2015-16, Williams had a stellar 51-point season (25 goals, 26 assists). The year before, he scored 18 goals in the NOJHL playing for the Mattawa Blackhawks in 2014-15. In his first year of junior hockey, Williams averaged nearly two points per game playing in the NPHL for the West Sound Warriors. That year, in 2013-14, Williams had 79 total points and scored 40 goals.

Williams, who plans to study mechanical engineering, commented, “I love the speed, the power and the finesse of hockey but also I love the physical and mental toughness of the game.” Regarding his commitment to the University of Arkansas more specifically, Williams said, I believe that the Department of Mechanical Engineering under the guidance and expertise of the University of Arkansas professors and curriculum will allow me to become a well-rounded and knowledgeable engineer capable to meet the demands of my profession.” He added, “I am also very excited about the structural changes for the hockey program this upcoming season. It will be an honor to be a trailblazer in our move to be the first member of ‘Club Sports Advance’ and to become an advocate of our hockey program.”

The University of Arkansas fields two hockey teams.  The Division I team just released its 2018-19 schedule (view here). It has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here).   The Division III team will in 2018-19 begin its twelfth season competing in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here).  All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.