The University of Arkansas Men’s Ice Hockey Club opens its tenth anniversary season and second campaign with two teams on Friday, September 9.  This season, unlike any other, the program will open its season by featuring both teams at home on back to back nights.

The Division I team opens up its season against the East Texas Baptist University Tigers (Division II).  The Tigers open their first ever season in the ACHA this year and the programs have never met.  The Razorbacks’ Division I roster (just released here) features thirteen new faces.  The 15-16 season was the first for the Arkansas hockey program fielding two teams.  Last year’s inaugural 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 this season.  The puck drops against the Tigers at 7 pm on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Meanwhile, the Division III team plays host to SECHC rival Ole Miss in an immediately critical conference match-up.  The Hogs swept the Rebels last season in Olive Branch by scores of 8-2 and 6-1 on October 30 & 31, 2015, respectively.  Game times are 9:30 pm on both Friday and Saturday nights.  Last year’s Division III team posted a twenty-eight win season, which was good for third in the SECHC and tenth in the Pacific Region.  The team will be looking for a return to Nationals after falling just short at Regionals last season, losing earlier this year 8-4 to Marquette on February 19.

Friday’s games will be broadcast on both USTREAM and MIXLR.  Saturday’s games will be carried only on the program’s MIXLR station.  Tickets can be purchased at the door starting one hour before puck drop.  Students with ID are admitted free this opening weekend.  More information on tickets is here.