CHS Week 16 Recap
By: Audrey Pfitzner
Chaos. Overtime. Rivalry. The playoff picture and College Hockey South rankings were shaken up in Week 16.
University of Florida (D2) @ Florida Atlantic University (D2)
The Sunshine State battle resulted in a series split between the Florida Gators and the FAU Owls. Florida took game one in a commanding 4-1 victory. Game two was a much closer contest, with FAU pulling out a 4-3 win.
After an evenly matched first period of game one ended 1-1, the Gators’ offense exploded with three unanswered goals. Seven Gators registered points in the win.
Florida’s goalie, Connor Lee (29), stopped 33 of the 34 shots that he faced. The Gators were able to keep the Owls off the scoreboard in the final two frames.
In game two, the Owls scored a short-handed goal four minutes into the game, but the Gators responded and scored three times before the first period ended.
Special teams played a vital role for the Owls. In game two, three of the goals came off of the work of the power play and penalty kill.
FAU forward Leon Biller (26) opened up the scoring early in the first and scored the game-winning goal on the power play in the third period. Biller is fourth in team scoring for the Owls.
University of Georgia (D1) @ University of South Carolina (D1)
The border war did not lack intensity as the South Carolina Gamecocks completed an overtime comeback to beat the University of Georgia Ice Dawgs 5-4.
On a night where the Gamecocks honored first responders with inferno-inspired jerseys, the game action did not lack any heat. Combined, these two teams racked up 62 penalty minutes, giving special teams a plethora of opportunities.
South Carolina forward John Riggins (25) led the way with two power-play goals, with Carson Stove (18) picking up assists on both.
While the Ice Dawgs held a lead throughout the first two periods, the Gamecocks were able to change the momentum in the third period and score back-to-back goals to pull ahead. However, with less than four minutes on the clock, the Ice Dawgs evened it up at four to force overtime.
As overtime was winding down, Marco Pineda (9) played hero for the Gamecocks, scoring the game-winning goal with just 16 seconds remaining.
These two rivals will rematch Friday, Feb. 9, during the CHS Division 1 playoffs in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Vanderbilt University (D2) @ University of Tennessee (D2)
The University of Tennessee Ice Vols stay on top of the CHS D2 North Division rankings after splitting their series with Vanderbilt. Tennessee took game one with a 4-3 overtime victory and Vanderbilt won game two 1-0.
Undeterred by Tennessee putting up 42 shots on net through two periods of play, the Commodores were able to put three goals past goalie Patrick Green (33), highlighted by a short-handed goal by Kyle Fraser (17).
Heading into the third period, Vanderbilt had a two-goal lead, but Mitchell Spranklin (9) scored two consecutive unanswered goals for the Ice Vols to bring the game to overtime.
Just 30 seconds into overtime, Connor Frazer (14) scored the game-winning goal to win it for Tennessee.
Game two was a highly defensive, low-scoring matchup between the in-state rivals. Ethan Smiley (9) scored the only goal of the game late in the first period to seal the Commodore victory.
Despite facing 48 shots in net, Vanderbilt goaltender Andrew Shearson (35) was perfect and secured the shutout for his team. This is Shearson’s third shutout of the season.
University of Alabama (D1) @ Auburn University (D1)
The Auburn Tigers stunned the Frozen Tide by sweeping the weekend series. Only time will tell if the two wins were enough to overcome Alabama to claim the final spot in the CHS Division 1 playoffs. The top four teams within CHS according to MyHockeyRankings will advance to the CHS D1 playoffs.
Auburn’s offense was dominant this weekend, putting up 10 goals in two games. Landon Patz (15), Chuck Bay (11) and Brooks Franklin (10) recorded two goals each.
Despite Alabama scoring first in game one, the Tigers were able to regroup to score the next three. The game-winning goal ultimately came in the third period by Callen Daily (22). The final score was 5-3 in Auburn’s favor.
In game two, Auburn had all the momentum in the first two periods. The Tigers held the Frozen Tide off the board while putting up three goals of their own. Alabama responded with two goals in the third, but it was too little too late. Auburn went on to win the game 5-2.
Goaltender Camden Denk (29) played a pivotal role for the Tigers. Denk stopped 40 of 43 Alabama shots in game one and made 47 saves against 49 shots on goal in game two.
University of Florida (D3) @ Florida State University (D3)
Florida State University and the University of Florida split their weekend series. Game one resulted in a 4-2 victory for the Gators, while the Seminoles dominated game two with a 10-1 win.
Game one was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. Florida got the lead late in the second and propelled themselves to victory.
Florida goalie Parker Furman (31) set the tone for the Gators, making 48 saves on 50 shots on goal.
The Seminoles rebounded from the loss and lit up the scoreboard in game two. Six different players hit the back of the net and 13 players collected points. Andrew Bremer (86) and Ryan Chambre (33) led the offense with two goals apiece.
The Seminoles were able to keep the puck out of their own zone and held Florida to only 14 shots on goal.
Week 16 Player of the Week: Defenseman, Trace Cowart, University of Tampa (D2)
Trace Cowart had a pair of multi-point nights (3 Goals, 2 Assists, 5 Points in 2 Games) to lead the University of Tampa Spartans DII team to a weekend sweep of Lynn University.
The Spartans put up 13 goals in the series as they dominated Lynn 5-0 and 8-4.
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.