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.
