This past weekend both the Division I and Division III Razorbacks were in action. The Division I Razorbacks were on the road for a two game series against the University of Alabama. The Division III Razorbacks were at home this weekend defending home ice against Pacific Region rival Robert Morris University-Peoria.
The Division I Ice Hogs faced off against the Frozen Tide of Alabama in the first game of two on Friday September 22nd. The Tide struck first in the game and scored the only goal of the first period. After the Hogs scored the second period equalizer, the Tide potted two more before the period. A little over two minutes into the third period, newcomer Sine Chadi registered the Hogs’ second goal of the game to make it 3-2. But with six minutes to play, the Hogs were whistled for a five minute major and, with just 2:31 remaining, the Tide put the game away 4-2. Alabama added an empty-net goal with 0:16 remaining to run the final score to 5-2.
The Division I Ice Hogs again faced the Tide of Alabama on Saturday September 23rd. After a scoreless first period, the Hogs struck first in the second period thanks to an unassisted goal by Luc Gradisar. Less than a minute and a half later, the Hogs were on the board again thanks to a goal scored by team captain Landyn Howze, assisted by fellow captains James Haddock and Jesse Foskey. After a missed call during an offensive rush opportunity, the Tide skated the length of the ice and scored with under two seconds remaining in the period. On its seventh power play (compared to the Hogs’ lone power play), Alabama tied the game with under six minutes to play in regulation. Overtime failed to produce a winner and the Tide went on to win the shootout 2-0.
The Division III Ice Hogs hosted the Eagles of Robert Morris-Peoria this weekend at the Jones Center in Springdale. On Friday September 22nd the Hogs played the first game in their series with the Eagles. At the end of the first period, the Eagles were leading the Hogs 1-0. In the second period the Razorbacks tied the game at 1-1 off of a Ryan Hall goal. The third period was a lively one. In total, four goals were scored that period and the Hogs accounted for three of those. One goal by Alex Kueser and two goals by Matt Lasky gave the Razorbacks the lead and a 4-2 win in favor of the Hogs.
On Saturday September 23rd, the Hogs faced the Eagles in their second game of the weekend. The Hogs entered this game with one thing in mind–sweeping the Eagles. The Eagles struck first, but the Hogs answered back with a goal of their own thanks to Matt Hehr. The Eagles scored one more goal in the first en route to a 2-1 lead at the end of the first frame. Less than three minutes into the second period, the Eagles were on the board again and held a 3-1 lead. Five minutes later the Razorbacks scored their first of what would be six unanswered goals. Two goals in the second period by Zach Palmer and Sky Chambers evened up the score at 3-3 going into the third period. In the third period, the Razorbacks caught fire. Their hot streak started less than one minute into the period when Trey Lowry put one in the net for the Hogs. Less than one minute later Lowry scored again for the Hogs, giving them a 5-3 lead. The Ice Hogs ended up scoring two more goals in the third period thanks to Alex Kueser and Matt Hehr. A 7-3 win completed the sweep.
This weekend both the Division I and Division III Ice Hogs will be on the road. The Division I Hogs will travel to Oklahoma to open WCHL conference play against the #20 University of Oklahoma and the defending National Champion–the #1 University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos. The Division III Ice Hogs will be travel to Mississippi to face SECHC Conference opponents Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
The Division I Razorbacks will play the Sooners from the University of Oklahoma at 8:00 PM Thursday September 28th in Oklahoma City. The Ice Hogs will be out for revenge as they lost their three games to the Sooners last season. The Razorbacks will enter the game against the Sooners with a record of 2-1-1 while the Sooners enter with a record of 0-4-0 having dropped a pair of games to both #2 Minot State and #8 Lindenwood University.
Friday September 29th at 7:45 PM and Saturday September 30th at 7:30 PM the Division I Ice Hogs will face off against the defending National Champion Bronchos from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK. The Bronchos enter the weekend with a record of 2-0 having just swept a pair of games against Division II Texas A&M.
The Division III Ice Hogs will play the Rebels of Ole Miss at 4:15 PM in Olive Branch, MS, Saturday September 30th. Last season the Razorbacks and Rebels split their regular season series 1-1. The Division III Hogs will be looking to avenge a loss against the Rebels in last season’s SECHC Tournament. All time, the Hogs hold a record of 13-4 against the Rebels. Arkansas enters the weekend with an overall record of 2-3. The Rebels will enter the weekend with a record of 4-2.
Sunday October 1st the Division III Ice Hogs will face the Commodores of Vanderbilt at 9:15 AM in Olive Branch, MS. Last season, Arkansas and Vanderbilt split their regular season series 1-1. All time the Razorbacks are 9-2 against the Commodores.
All games will be live streamed via the Facebook Live.
