The Arkansas Razorbacks(2-0) got off to a hot start on the shortened 2020-21 season, sweeping Missouri State University(0-2) on home ice. Kevin LaPlante got the scoring started on Friday for the Hogs half way through the first period, with assists from Cameron McAtee and Chris Salmon. On the same shift, LaPlante would score again on a 2-on-1, with assists from Dakota Gottlieb and Michael Ellis. Missouri State would close out the period with a goal, cutting the Hogs lead in half. But Arkansas would start the second period with a power play goal from McAtee, off assists from Griffin Sugasawara and Zach Wilson. The same trio hooked up early in the 3rd period for another goal, this time with Sugasawara being the goal-scorer. Missouri State would attempt to climb back into the game with a goal of their own, before Zach Riley would record two goals to finish off the Ice Bears 6-2. Jozef Dusenka stood tall in net, stopping 20 of 22 shots to collect the win.
In game number two, Sugasawara got the scoring started, with assists to Salmon and Jordan Deskeere. Missouri State would tie the game in the 2nd period, but Sugasawara would gain the lead back just 16 seconds later with a deflection on a LaPlante point shot. Going into the 3rd period with a 2-1 lead, Arkansas would gain an insurance goal when Brad Estrada assisted on a Michael Ellis goal. Trevor McLain put Missouri State away with a shorthanded breakaway goal off an assist from McAtee. Dusenka played another strong game, stopping 20 of 21 shots for his second win of the season.
The University of Arkansas Men’s Hockey team plays in the Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association. The 2020-21 season will be the team’s thirteenth season as a member of the ACHA competing in Division III. The team’s schedule can be viewed here. All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale, AR.
