The 2023-24 season saw the Razorbacks qualify for the ACHA National Tournament for a program record 5th consecutive year. The Hogs would enter the tournament as the 8th seed and would be matched in pool play with #1 Lawerence Tech, #9 Colby College, and #16 St Vincent University. ACHA Nationals is made up of 16 teams split into 4 pools of 4. The winner of each pool advances to the single elimination semifinal and then the two semifinal winners face off in a single elimination final game.
The Hogs got off to a hot start with a win over #9 Colby College. Despite controlling most of the game, a 2 minute lapse in the 3rd period saw Colby claw back to tie the game, prior to Arkansas pulling away with 2 late goals. Arkansas cruised in the second match up against #16 St. Vincent, jumping out to a early lead, and controlling the game until the final buzzer and a 6-1 final.
Saturday was a battle from the first puck drop against #1 Lawerence Tech. Both teams fought for every inch of ice in the first period where LTU would score first. Unfazed the Razorbacks found the back of the net and most of the momentum during the second frame. Arkansas would continue with their foot on the gas early in the third where they would find the back of the net on the powerplay to take the 2-1 lead. Lawerence Tech would tie the game with just under half of the period remaining. The game would stay tied at the end of regulation leading to a 10 minute overtime. Due to tiebreakers (goal differential in pool play) Arkansas entered the overtime knowing they needed to win, while LTU would advance with a tie. Despite chances at both ends neither team could break the stalemate and the game would end in a tie.
This marks the second time in program history that Arkansas has gone undefeated in pool play only to be eliminated by tie breakers. LTU would go on to win the 2024 ACHA National Championship by defeating Missouri in the semifinals and Grand Valley State in the championship game.
The team returns to the ice next season and will look to continue their run of Nationals appearances in their first season of competition at the Division II level. Stay tuned for more exciting updates throughout the offseason and be sure to follow all of the teams social media pages. The program would love to extend their gratitude to all of the fans that continually make the team one of the most popular club hockey teams in the country.
