The third week of the 2024-2025 College Hockey South season begins on Friday, Sept. 20th. It is a weekend with two banner ceremonies, two games of the week, and likely more impressive performances like we’ve seen the first two weeks of the season.
Game of the Week #1: Friday, September 20th- University of Georgia (D1) @ University of Florida (D1)
Our Games of the Week feature two home teams raising a national championship banner.
The first is set for Friday evening in Jacksonville – an SEC rivalry game between the University of Florida Gators and the University of Georgia Bulldogs. The Gators look forward to raising their banner in front of a large crowd, busing fans from Gainesville for the occasion.
Florida did not play in week two, allowing their bodies to rest before facing a familiar foe. In their opening weekend, the Gators swept the Embry-Riddle Eagles. They look forward to bringing that same effort against the Bulldogs.
Georgia must focus on Florida’s Nicholas Ho and Mikey Katz. Both players' sticks were ablaze over the opening weekend, scoring three goals each for the Gators.
The Bulldogs are looking to prove themselves, however. Their previous game ended in a shootout loss with the South Carolina Gamecocks coming back from a three-goal deficit. Their competition against the defending D2 National Champion Florida Gators is the Bulldogs’ chance to make themselves known.
To add to the already foul taste in their mouths, Georgia will witness a rival raising a national championship banner for the second straight week.
Both games will be held at the Community First Igloo in Jacksonville, FL., at 7:30 P.M. EST. The first game will be on Friday, September 20, and the second on Saturday, September 21.
Fans can watch both games here.
Game of the Week #2: Saturday, September 21st- Lynn University (D2) @ University of Miami (D2)
The University of Miami is also lifting its national championship banner ahead of facing Lynn University. Fans will be sure to pack Kendall Ice Arena to celebrate the team’s success down south.
The Miami Hurricanes are 1-0-0-1 (1-1-0 AAU) after facing the UCF Knights in Week Two. Last Friday’s game saw the ‘Canes fall just short, losing 4-3 in overtime to the Knights.
But UCF was not ready for Miami’s revenge tour. The Hurricanes returned to battle on Saturday, beating the Knights 4-2. The Hurricanes have depth, with seven roster members contributing to the weekend’s seven-goal tally.
Lynn University has yet to play any games. Their opening weekend will allow them to take down the reigning D3 National Champions. Lynn has set a target on Miami’s back.
The game will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 8:00 P.M. EST at the Kendall Ice Arena in Miami, FL.
Fans can watch the game here.
University of Tennessee (D1) vs Middle Tennessee State University (D2)
An in-state match is set to occur between the University of Tennessee Volunteers and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The Raiders will have their hands full with a vicious Volunteers team.
Game one will occur on Friday, Sept. 20, at 8:00 P.M. EST at Cool Sports Icearium in Knoxville, TN.
In week two, Tennessee demolished the George Washington Colonials, shutting them out 12-0. The Vols’ leading goal-scorer, Henry Cohen, accounted for three of his team’s twelve goals.
However, Middle Tennessee is also a force within the Smokey Mountain region. They swept the Appalachian State Mountaineers, winning 10-4 and 8-5 in Week One. Blue Raider Ethan Demumbrum found the net an impressive four times across the two games.
The second game will occur on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 9:00 P.M. EST in the Icearium.
Florida Southern College (D2) vs Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (D2)
During their series, the Embry-Riddle Eagles and Florida Southern Moccasins will split hosting duties across Florida. The Eagles are known for having a packed barn, in which fans always bring the energy. The Moccasins are anticipating an electric home opener as well.
The first game between the in-state opponents will be at the Daytona Ice Arena in Daytona Beach, FL., on Friday, Sept. 20, at 7:00 P.M. EST.
After two weekends, Embry-Riddle sits at one win and three losses. The Eagles split a two-game series with South Florida last weekend after being swept by the Florida Gators in Week One.
The Eagles fell 4-3 to the Bulls on Friday but returned to win 5-4 in overtime the next day. Eagle Hunter Schirmer scored Saturday’s game-winning goal.
Florida Southern has yet to start its season, but it anticipates close competition against the Eagles. Playing in a rowdy atmosphere like the Eagles’ will be tough, but the Moccasins look forward to the challenge.
The second game of the series will be in Lakeland, FL., at the Lakeland Ice Arena on Saturday, Sept. 21. It will begin at 8:00 P.M. EST.
Eastern Kentucky University (D3) @ Austin Peay State University (D3)
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels will travel to Clarksville, TN, to face the Austin Peay State University Governors. This will be the first College Hockey South series for Austin Peay State, who will play host to a 1-1 Colonels team.
Eastern Kentucky ended last weekend’s games in a draw with the University of Mississippi D3. After winning 6-4 in the first meeting, the Colonels fell 7-2 to the Rebels in their second battle.
The first game is set for Saturday, Sept. 21, at 10:00 A.M. CST. The second is slated for Sunday, Sept. 22, at 12:45 P.M. CST. Both games will take place in the Ford Ice Center in Clarksville, TN.
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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