CHS Week 16 Preview
By: Audrey Pfitzner
Week 16 features an array of in-state rivalries and critical division matchups. With playoffs looming around the corner, teams are making final tweaks and vying for playoff positions.
Game of the Week: University Florida (D2) @ Florida Atlantic University (D2)
A Sunshine State battle between the top two teams in the CHS D2 South Division is set to take place this weekend as Florida Atlantic and Florida clash for the first time this season. Game one is the game of the week and will take place Friday at 8:30 p.m. EST.
The Owls are a perfect 10-0 in CHS game action this season and lead the division with 20 CHS points, while Florida is just behind with an 8-2 record and 16 points. Although both teams have clinched playoff positions, they are battling for the top position in the South.
Florida needs to combat the FAU offense and shut down the lethal scoring trio of Matias Weir (28), David Israel (18) and Caleb Owens (8), who are the only three players to reach the 40-point mark in Division 2 this season.
Both teams are looking to build off the momentum of series sweeps from last weekend.
Game two will be Saturday at 5:00 p.m. EST. Both games will be played at the Panthers Ice Den in Coral Springs, Fla.
This week’s Game of the Week will be streamed on FAU OwlTV.
University of Georgia (D1) @ University of South Carolina (D1)
The University of Georgia Ice Dawgs travel to Irmo, S.C., to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in a Division 1 rivalry matchup.
South Carolina goes into this game with a record of 13-4-1 in CHS games and ranked second in the CHS Division 1 rankings. Georgia has gone 15-4-1 putting them right behind in third.
Back in September, these two teams faced off in a back-and-forth heated battle that resulted in a 3-2 victory for the Ice Dawgs. The Gamecocks are excited for the opportunity to try and even the season series.
“We are excited for our matchup this weekend with it being a rivalry game and our annual charity night for first responders,” said Bobby DiCicco, assistant captain of the Gamecocks. “Georgia got the best of us at the beginning of the year and coming off of being upset by Georgia Tech last week, our guys will be ready.”
Both teams are coming out of last weekend hungry for a win. The Gamecocks split their series with Georgia Tech, while Georgia split their weekend series with Auburn University.
This matchup will display offensive firepower, physicality and solid goaltending. Both teams average more than four goals a game while letting up less than three.
Friday's game will take place at 8:15 p.m. EST at the Plex.
Vanderbilt University (D2) @ University of Tennessee (D2)
The University of Tennessee Ice Vols host the Vanderbilt University Commodores at Knoxville Coliseum this weekend in an in-state rivalry series.
This matchup features the top two teams in the CHS D2 North Division. Tennessee currently sits on top of the leaderboard with 17 CHS points, with Vanderbilt just two points behind at 15.
With a series sweep, Vanderbilt would jump Tennessee in the rankings and take over the No. 1 spot in the D2 North Division.
The Commodores must limit the amount of time that the Ice Vols get in the offensive zone. Tennessee plays an offense-heavy game and averages more than four goals per game.
Special teams will also play a major factor in the series. Tennessee has a very successful power play unit that has scored 21 times this season. The Commodores, who average almost 16 penalty minutes per game, must play a disciplined game and stay out of the box.
University of Alabama (D1) @ Auburn University (D1)
With playoffs quickly approaching, the fourth and final spot in Division 1 is up for grabs. Alabama is currently ranked fourth in the CHS Division 1 rankings, while Auburn is the odd team out in fifth.
The outcome of this Iron Cup rematch will be drastic as Auburn hopes to keep their playoff hopes alive with a series sweep. Alabama, however, is looking to stand their ground and stay in the playoff picture.
These teams have met three times already this season, with Alabama coming out on top twice and Auburn once, but have not faced since early November.
Game one will be held Friday at 8:00 p.m. EST and game two will be the following afternoon at 2:00 p.m. EST. Both games will be played at the Columbus Ice Rink.
University of Florida (D3) @ Florida State University (D3)
These two in-state rivals will face off in Jacksonville, Fla., at Community First Igloo this weekend at 10:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Despite Jacksonville being 165 miles away from Florida State University, these will be the closest games to campus that the Seminoles have played this season.
Florida State currently ranks sixth in CHS Division 3 rankings but has yet to win a game during Spring semester action. Florida ranks seventh and is coming off a sweep of the University of South Florida.
D3 standings are based on CHS D3 win percentage, so every divisional win will impact positioning. The Gators can reach .500 on the season with a sweep this weekend to pass the Seminoles.
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.