This past weekend your DII Razorbacks hosted MACHA Rival University of Iowa at the Jones Center. Your DIII Razorbacks traveled to Shreveport, LA to take on MACHA division foe East Texas Baptist University. Both teams found the win column twice, as they swept their respective opponents on the weekend.
The DII Hogs got the action started on Friday night at the Jones Center. A close contest early, Arkansas continued to emphasize their physical style of play wearing down Iowa throughout the contest. The floodgates finally opened in the 3rd as the hogs poured on 5 goals to secure the 7-3 victory.
Sophomore Alex Fendler recorded a hat-trick in the game, his first back since missing the Mizzou series due to injury. Senior goaltender Grady Reis recorded his 2nd win of the season, allowing 3 goals on 27 shots. Sophomore Chris Colon chipped in 2 goals on his way to being named the hardest working player of the game by his teammates.
Saturday’s contest was another back and forth affair with the Hawkeyes and Hogs quickly answering each others goals in the first and second. Entering the final frame with a 4-3 lead, Arkansas continued to lean on Iowa, ultimately scoring 2 goals to put the game away, securing the 6-3 victory.
Sophomore Alex Fendler recorded another hat-trick in the game, leaving him with 6 goals and 2 assists on the weekend. Junior WHL newcomer Bryson Anderegg opened the scoring with a snipe from the point. Sophomore Aydin Frolik, leading score for last years Razorbacks, and Senior Captain David Markovich also added to the scoring. Transfer senior Mika Crevia recored his second win of the season
Head Coach Keller Sims had this to say following the sweep:
“I loved our effort this weekend. We got to an emphasis on winning battles and protecting the middle of the ice. Transitions were much better. Overall a great response from our group following a disappointing sweep last weekend.”
The team was also thrilled to welcome back Sophomore Alex Fendler. “He’s a difference maker. 6 goals, 8 points in 2 games. Just incredible to have him back in the lineup and to watch him contribute right away. Great weekend and proud of him” Coach Sims added when asked about the double hat-trick hero.
The DIII Hogs also made a statement this past weekend in Shreveport, sweeping ETBU in commanding fashion with back-to-back wins at George Ponds Ice Arena.
The opening game was all Razorbacks from the start. Just 36 seconds into the contest, former Tiger and now Razorback Will Sloan lit the lamp with a highlight-reel backhand into the top corner. It was only the beginning of a monster night for Sloan, who finished with six points (2G, 4A) against his former team. Arkansas poured it on early and often, outshooting ETBU 63–23 and cruising to a 9–2 victory.
The scoring came from all over the lineup, with seven different Razorbacks finding the back of the net. Senior Logan Shipley and Freshmen Liam Pouliot each notched their first collegiate goals, while Kameron Smith celebrated his first goal as a Razorback.
Between the pipes, freshman goaltender Logan Bruns made his first career start one to remember. Calm and confident, Bruns turned away 21 shots, finished with a .913 save percentage, and even stopped a penalty shot. His puck-handling drew comparisons to NHL legend Ron Hextall as he backstopped Arkansas to victory.
Head Coach Greg Betzold praised the team’s resilience despite a tough travel schedule:
“After a six-hour bus ride, arriving during an NAHL game, and not getting on the ice until 11 p.m. for warmups, I wasn’t sure what we’d get from our group. Well, going up 5–0 in the first answered my question. I was proud of the way we finished and won the third period. It’s a skill to close out teams when you’re already ahead.”
Sloan echoed his coach’s sentiment, adding:
“That’s why we worked so hard this week — so we could come out and perform like that.”
Game two proved more challenging as ETBU struck first, holding a 1–0 lead midway through the second. But the Razorbacks didn’t flinch. Senior Assistant Captain Thomas Verble tied the game with a thunderous one-timer.
“That’s what high-end, elite playmakers do — they make the big plays when they matter most,” Coach Betzold said.
That goal sparked Arkansas, who outshot the Tigers 67–17 and rolled to a 5–2 win. Goaltender Addison Phillips was steady in his second start this season, stopping 15 shots to secure his first victory. Sloan added another two goals, while Verble capped the weekend with four points (2G, 2A).
Through four games, Sloan and Verble sit atop the Razorbacks’ scoring chart with 13 points apiece and an impressive +11 rating. Arkansas’ special teams have also been a difference-maker, boasting a 33% power play and an 83% penalty kill.
Assistant Captain Darrell Smith summed up the weekend:
“This weekend was about more than two wins — it was about us finding our identity. When everyone buys in and plays for the guy next to them, you see what happens. We came together as a team, and that’s only going to grow.”
Looking ahead, the Razorbacks return home to face Dordt University on October 3rd (7:30 PM) and October 4th (3:15 PM) at The Jones Center in Springdale, AR.
Coach Betzold emphasized the importance of the matchup:
“We’ve had this series circled since the schedule came out. Dordt got the better of us to end last season, and now it’s our opportunity to respond. It’s going to be a great test of how far we’ve come — and we’re ready to put on a show for our fans.”
With momentum building, an energized roster, and the home crowd behind them, the DIII Razorbacks are poised to continue to make The Jones Center the toughest barn in the MACHA. Your Division II Razorbacks also look to continue to build momentum as they travel to College Station to faceoff with Texas A&M on October 3rd at 7:30 PM and 4th at 1:30 PM at Spirit Ice Arena.
Your Division II Razorbacks move to 2-2 in MACHA conference play. The Division III Razorbacks are now 2-0 in the MACHA South standings.