Razorbacks’ strong fall sets the table for an exciting spring

The #1 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks (26-3-0) finished off the fall portion of their schedule with a split against #3 Kansas (15-6-0). A packed schedule for the Razorbacks saw them play 29 games during the first semester, the most of any team in the country (with the second-most playing just 23 games). Arkansas began the season with 11 straight wins before dropping a game to Michigan. Following that loss, the Ice Hogs ripped off 13 more consecutive wins. Those collective runs of consecutive wins helped establish Arkansas as the number 1 ranked team in both the Pacific Region and SECHC in every computer ranking.

Scoring has certainly been no issue for the Razorbacks, as they have been held to 2 goals or less in just four games. Arkansas holds national leads for goals per game and total goals by a wide margin at 7.48goals/game and 217 goals total. Moreover, that scoring has been spread throughout the lineup, with 20 players recording 10 points or more and 24 players having recorded a goal so far this season. Goaltending has also been particularly strong, with three goalies sharing time to combine for a team save percentage of .918. Goaltender Jozef Dusenka has put together a stellar season, leading the country in wins with 12. He is also 3rd in the country in shutouts (2), 4th in the country in minutes played (780 minutes), 6th in the country in GAA (1.85 goals against average), and 9th in the country in save percentage (.926).

The outlook for the spring is much shorter than the fall. The Hogs get back on the ice when they hit the road against Missouri State (10-7-1) on January 24th and 25th. Arkansas then hosts DII East Texas Baptist (19-1-1) on January 31st and February 1st. The following weekend, the Razorbacks head to Nashville for the SECHC Tournament on February 6-8, before returning home to celebrate our seniors and finish out the regular season against Alabama (8-7-1) during the weekend of February 14th and 15th. The Hogs then head off to the ACHA National Championships in Frisco, TX at the Comerica Center. Round robin action takes place March 24th, 25th, and 26th, with the semifinals on March 27th and final on March 28th.

The University of Arkansas Men’s Hockey team plays in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference. The 2019-20 season will be the team’s thirteenth season as a member of the ACHA competing in Division III. The team’s schedule can be found here. All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.