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2024-25 Season Week 16 Preview

Stephanie Pitts

Game of the Week: University of Tennessee (D3) vs. University of South Carolina (D3)

The University of South Carolina Gamecocks are gearing up for a two-day weekend series against the University of Tennessee Ice Vols. The first game will drop the puck at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, followed by game two at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both matchups will take place at the Cools Sports IceArium.


With both teams on impressive win streaks—Tennessee boasting 10 straight victories and South Carolina riding a 12-game win streak—this matchup is sure to be a thrilling one. Adding to the excitement is the fact that these two teams have never faced off before, with the Gamecocks entering College Hockey South as a Division 3 team this season.


In our Week 16 Game of the Week, we’re witnessing a clash between the top two teams in the North Division, and the two best records in Division 3. South Carolina (12-0-1, 11-0-0, 22 points) holds a narrow one-point lead over Tennessee (16-1-1, 10-1-1, 21 points), setting the stage for an intense battle for the top spot.

 

University of Tampa (D2) vs. University of Central Florida (D2)

The University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights are heading into the weekend with a vengeance, looking to avenge their 6-1 loss to the University of Tampa Spartans in game two of the Battle at the Beach tournament.


The two teams will face off at 7:15 p.m. on Friday at Clearwater Ice Arena, followed by a 9:00 p.m. matchup on Saturday at Orlando Ice Den.


The Spartans (9-7-0, 5-4-0-1, 11 points) come into the weekend on a high after defeating the University of South Florida (D2) 6-1, and they’re currently tied with UCF for the final playoff spot in the South Division.


The Knights, however, are struggling after a rough start to the 2025 season, with no wins in their last four games. Despite a less-than-ideal record (8-11-2, 4-5-2-1, 11 points), UCF has a crucial opportunity to earn points and push for that coveted playoff spot against a direct rival.


Florida State University (D3) vs. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (D3)

The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Ice Eagles are set to defend their home rink against the Florida State University Seminoles in a two-day weekend showdown. The first game will take place at 9:45 p.m. on Friday, followed by a 7:30 p.m. clash on Saturday, both at Daytona Ice Arena.


The Ice Eagles are hoping to avoid a repeat of last season’s results, when Florida State dominated both matchups at Embry-Riddle’s home rink, winning 9-0 and 6-0.


Florida State enters the weekend with a 9-2-2 record (8-1-1, 17 points), riding a four-game winning streak and sitting comfortably in second place in the College Hockey South Division 3 South standings. Meanwhile, Embry-Riddle is looking to snap a three-game losing streak.


The Ice Eagles are currently tied with South Florida for the final playoff spot in the South Division but are at a disadvantage in the tiebreaker due to their head-to-head results with the Ice Bulls.


Kennesaw State University (D3) vs. University of Georgia (D3)

The rivalry between Georgia’s top teams will take center stage this weekend, as the Kennesaw State University Owls aim to repeat last season’s success against the University of Georgia Ice Dawgs.


The two teams haven’t faced off since last year, when the Owls completed a sweep of the Ice Dawgs. This weekend’s series kicks off at 8:50 p.m. on Saturday at The Ice, followed by a Sunday night matchup at 8:00 p.m. at Akins Ford Arena.


The Owls have had a bit of an interrupted start to 2025, with two of their games canceled, and they come into the weekend after dropping both contests against the South Carolina Gamecocks last weekend. Kennesaw State holds a 9-5-0 record (8-4-0, 16 points) and sits at No. 3 in the Division 3 North Division standings.


The Ice Dawgs, on the other hand, are coming off a dominant weekend, blasting the Austin Peay State University Governors 13-4 and 7-2. Their 8-4-0 record (7-4-0, 14 points) puts them at No. 4 in the CHS Division 3 North standings, making this an exciting matchup between two teams fighting for positioning.


University of Miami (D2) vs. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (D2)

The University of Miami Hurricanes are heading up to Daytona for a two-day weekend series against the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Ice Eagles. The games are set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, both at Daytona Ice Rink.


The Ice Eagles have had a solid start to the Spring, winning two out of their first three games, including an impressive upset over nationally ranked No. 5 Middle Tennessee State. While the playoffs may be out of reach for Embry-Riddle, they could still play spoiler to a Miami team fighting for a postseason spot.


The Hurricanes, currently ranked No. 7 in the College Hockey South Division 2 South standings, have a 7-11-0 record (4-6-0-1, 9 points) after picking up three wins this January.


They’re two points behind both Tampa and UCF for the final playoff spot in the South Division, and just three points behind third-place Lynn, whom they swept in mid-January. A sweep of the Ice Eagles would give Miami a big boost in their playoff push, making this series critical for the ‘Canes.


ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 30-school, 50-team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states that competes in AAU College Hockey. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.


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