This past weekend the Division I Ice Hogs (4-6-0) had a bye week following the program’s first ever trip to Philadelphia where the Division I team played four games in four days.
On Friday the 12th the Ice Hogs faced West Chester University (5-3-0) in Philadelphia. Arkansas got off to a quick start–scoring three minutes into the game thanks to a marker from Tyler Valentin. Just three minutes later, West Chester would answer back with a goal of their own. Right before the end of the period, Matt Lasky scored for the Hogs to give secure a 2-1 lead entering the second period. During the second frame, the Hogs mounted a scoring barrage as Trevor McLain scored two goals and Andy Williams and Jack Critser each scored one. Although West Chester also put up one goal, the Hogs took a 6-2 lead going into the third period. The third was all Hogs as Trevor McLain notched a hat trick and Andy Williams put up his second of the game to give the Hogs the 8-2 win over West Chester.
On Saturday the 13th the Hogs tangled with the Owls from Temple University. It was all Hogs from the start as they took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Matt Hehr and Tyler Valentin. The Owls struck back in the second with two goals of their own. But the Hogs caught fire shortly thereafter, scoring five more goals to lead 7-2 going into the third period. Matt Hehr, Evan Kerr, Alex DeGuire, Alex Kueser and Drew Hill all scored goals in the second period. The third period was all Arkansas again as they put up four more goals en route to a 11-2 win.
On Sunday the 14th, the Hogs met up with the Villanova Wildcats. The first period was an eventful one as the Hogs got on the board first when Trevor McLain scored. Less than a minute later, Villanova responded with a goal to tie the game. Later in the period, Alex Kueser scored for the Hogs to put the team up 2-1 going into the second period. Late in the second period, the Wildcats tied things up but five minutes into the third period Dominic de la Guardia scored what would be the game-winner. The Razorbacks won the game 3-2.
On Monday the 15th, Arkansas played its final game in Philadelphia against the Drexel Dragons. The Hogs went scoreless in the first as the Dragons tallied one goal. Early in the second period, Dakota Gottlieb rung one up for the Hogs to tie the game. Ten minutes later Drexel would score again to take a 2-1 lead into the third period. About six minutes into the third Matt Lasky tied things up again for the Hogs. Drexel would go on to score one more goal and take the win from the Ice Hogs.
The Division I Razorbacks get on the road again this weekend, this time to take on arch-rival Alabama. The Crimson Tide (3-7-0) have dropped their last four games. These teams have met seven times at the Division I level with the Hogs winning five of the seven. Puck drop is set for 3:00 PM on Friday the 26th and 7:00 PM on Saturday the 27th.
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.
