2025-26 Season Week 12 Recap

From championship rematches to first-year programs making history, Week 12 delivered some of the most intense, high-scoring, and emotional games of the season. Let’s take a look back at everything that went down across College Hockey South.

Game of the Week: Farmingdale State Rams (M2) at University of Tampa Spartans (M2)

A national championship rematch lived up to its billing.

Last season, Tampa defeated Farmingdale State 5–2 to claim the AAU Division 1 National Championship. This weekend, the Rams returned to Clearwater looking to avenge that loss—and they wasted no time proving the rivalry is far from over.

Game 1: Spartans Escape in a Shootout

The first game set the tone with two periods of back-and-forth scoring. Tampa entered the third period ahead 4–2, but the Rams refused to go quietly, striking twice to force overtime.

With the score still tied after OT, the game headed to a shootout, where senior Cole Vallese sealed the win for the Spartans, giving Tampa a 5–4 victory.

Game 2: Rams Respond

Farmingdale bounced back the next day with a strong, structured effort, outscoring Tampa 6–2 to split the series and keep this growing rivalry burning.

University of Alabama Frozen Tide (M3) at Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles (M3)

A first-year CHS program made history—while Alabama delivered its best offensive showing of the season.

Game 1: Frozen Tide Dominate

Friday belonged to Alabama.Alex Fusaro opened the scoring early, and in the second period the teams traded goals as the Tide held a 4–2 lead.

In the third, Alabama exploded for four goals in eight minutes. Finn Forrester completed a hat trick with his second and third goals of the night, powering the Tide to an 8–3 win.

Game 2: Eagles Make a Statement

Saturday was a different story.

FGCU surged in the second period, scoring four unanswered goals to take control. Alabama avoided the shutout with a late goal from Leo Kotor, but the spotlight belonged to Daniel Lison, who recorded a hat trick in the Eagles’ 6–1 win.

The victory secured FGCU’s first conference win in program history—a milestone moment for the new CHS member.

University of Tennessee Ice Vols (M2) @ University of Florida Gators (M2)

A series defined by momentum swings, big-time scoring, and long-awaited redemption.

Game 1: Gators Rally at Home

Tennessee held a 2–1 lead after two periods, but the Gators stormed out of intermission with three quick goals. Finn Destefano closed the gap late in the second, and Connor Frazer struck early in the third, but the Gators answered again—twice—to close out a 6–4 win.

Game 2: An Ice Vols Offensive Eruption

Sunday’s matchup followed a similar early pattern, with Florida leading 2–1 after the first. But after taking a 3–2 lead in the second, the Ice Vols unleashed one of the most dominant periods of the season.

Tennessee scored eight goals in eight and a half minutes, fueled by a hat trick from Kyle Stober, five points from Mitch Spranklin, and four from Tyler Iles.

The Ice Vols walked away with a resounding response—and the redemption they were searching for.

University of New Hampshire Wildcats (W2) at University of Tampa Spartans (W2)

The Lady Spartans’ undefeated conference run came to an end against a formidable non-conference opponent.

New Hampshire edged Tampa 3–2 on Saturday, then defeated the Spartans 5–4 in an overtime thriller on Sunday, snapping Tampa’s 10-game win streak—all earned against CHS opponents.

Despite the sweep, the Lady Spartans close the fall semester with a strong 10-3–0 record and remain in first place in the Women’s South Division.

Looking Ahead

As we head into the holiday break, College Hockey South wishes all players, families, staff, and fans a very Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the well-earned week off—conference play resumes soon.

Before games resume, stay tuned for updates on our upcoming 2025–26 CHS All-Star Trip to France, where select student-athletes will represent College Hockey South internationally. Full trip details and announcements will be available on the CHS website. Read more here.

ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 29-school, 45 team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.