CHS Week 13 Preview
By: Danny Baum
The 2024 portion of the College Hockey South schedule kicks off on Friday, Jan. 12th, with four games leading the charge.
Game of the Week: Georgia (D1) vs Georgia Tech (D2)
A little clean, old-fashioned hate is introduced to the Game of the Week on Friday, as Georgia and Georgia Tech renew their rivalry in the Savannah Hockey Classic.
Georgia begins the year in 3rd place in the CHS Division 1 rankings, after going 11-3-1 in 2023. Georgia Tech has gone 2-6 in CHS games, putting them in 6th in the Division 2 North Division standings.
Georgia won the previous two meetings between the teams by a combined 15-1, with the most recent game on Nov. 5th (9-0 Georgia).
For fans not in attendance at the Savannah Hockey Classic, you can watch the game here.
Tennessee (D2) vs Florida (D2)
Before the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets face-off, another bitter rivalry sets the tone for the Savannah Hockey Classic. Friday at 6 pm, the Tennessee Ice Vols and the Florida Gators play for the third time this season.
Tennessee finished out the year winning seven out of its last eight games. The Ice Vols have also won
six out of their eight CHS D2 games, putting them first in the North Division. Florida has also won six out of eight CHS games, but are in second in the South Division behind undefeated Florida Atlantic University.
This will be the first matchup between the teams since Sept. 19th. Florida won both prior meetings.
For fans not in attendance at the Savannah Hockey Classic, you can watch the game here.
Vanderbilt (D2) @ Clemson (D2)
A potential playoff preview comes this weekend in Clemson when the Vanderbilt Commodores take on the Clemson Tigers for a pair of games. Clemson and Vanderbilt are in second and fourth place, respectfully, in the CHS D2 North Division standings.
Clemson achieved its best single semester record in club history according to clemsonhockey.com, going 10-4 in the fall of 2023. The Tigers have also won five out of six CHS D2 games they have played, putting them in firm control of a playoff spot.
Vanderbilt has not had the same luck, though, starting the season 5-13 and only averaging 2.3 goals per game in that stretch. However, the Commodores have played their best in divisional games, going 4-2.
Auburn (D1) @ Tampa (D1)
The two teams at the opposite ends of the Division 1 rankings will face off for a pair of games this weekend in Clearwater, Fla. Despite being ranked first overall, the University of Tampa Spartans have only won two of their last six games (2-1-2-1 in that span).
Auburn also struggled to close out 2023, losing its final three games. The Tigers are currently on the outside looking in at the CHS Division 1 Playoffs and need to make up ground quickly.
South Carolina (D1) @ Alabama (D1)
The South Carolina Gamecock’s high-flying offense takes a trip to Pelham, Alabama to duel with the Alabama Frozen Tide. Both teams had strong starts to their seasons, winning ten games each in the fall of 2023.
Alabama has shutouts in two of their last three games, but it will be much more difficult to hold down the high-scoring Gamecocks. In South Carolina’s 14 games, they have only scored less than four goals on three occasions.
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 29-school, 46 team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning seven southeastern U.S. states that competes in AAU College Hockey. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.