The Hogs played host to Division II Missouri State on Saturday, February 21. The Ice Bears got on the board first with a goal from Connor Millard at the 12:28 mark in the first period.  Mason Brower knotted the score at 16:48 of the second period on a tally assisted by Ryan Machos.  The second period was a see-saw affair that saw three more goals.  Missouri State’s Alex Turin reclaimed the lead for the Bears under a minute later at the 16:02 mark.  The Hogs once again battled back and potted two more before end of the period behind goals from Forest Mudgett and Connor Crumblish.

The Razorbacks never looked back.  Entering the third period down a man, the Hogs had to kill a double minor penalty assessed to assistant captain Ryan Machos.  After killing the extended penalty, Arkansas scored three consecutive goals to close out the contest (M. Robinson, E. Robinson, Van Rooyen).  The win pushed the Hogs’ overall record to 27-8-2.  Next up for the team is a trip to Springfield, Missouri, on Friday, February 27, for a rematch against the Division II Ice Bears at 7 pm.  The game will be broadcast live at websportsradio.com.

As the No. 2-ranked team in the DIII Pacific Region, the Hogs earned an automatic birth in the National Tournament in Pelham, Alabama.  The tournament will start on March 10 when the Razorbacks take on Fairfield at 10 am.  For the complete Nationals schedule, click here.