2025-26 Season Week 17 Preview

Playoff time is nearly here, but we still have one more tournament before we get to our chaotic weekend in Coral Springs, FL.

Game of the Week: Tampa (W) vs Clemson (W)

The Lady Spartans find themselves in a familiar spot: gatekeeping the top of the CHS  standings against a feisty newcomer. Last year, the story of the season was Alabama trying to overcome the juggernaut Tampa Lady Spartans in its inaugural season, producing three thrilling games with high stakes. Tampa ultimately came out on top, winning two of three against the Frozen Tide, firming up its foothold at the top of the Division.

Our Gasparilla Game of the Week could see the start of a similar storyline, with the surging and undefeated Clemson Tigers making the trip to Florida after a 7-0-0 start to the season. The Tigers have blistered their opponents, outscoring them 89-9 in seven games. 

Meanwhile, the Lady Spartans' CHS dominance has continued in the Division’s third season. Tampa has yet to lose a regular-season game to a CHS opponent, including the first 10 games this year. The Lady Spartans have given up only nine goals in their first 10 conference outings.

• Sunday, Feb 1 - 12:30 PM EST (Nest Hockey Academy)

CHS Gasparilla Showcase

For the first time ever, College Hockey South is hosting a women’s hockey showcase in the Tampa, FL area on Gasparilla weekend. There will be six games from Thursday, Jan 28 to Sunday, Feb 1, including our Game of the Week between Tampa and Clemson. In all, six CHS teams will participate in the showcase: Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Miami, South Florida and Tampa.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Tampa Lady Spartans vs. South Florida Ice Bulls — 6:00 PM EST

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Auburn Tigers vs. Clemson Tigers — 8:45 AM EST

Clemson Tigers vs. Florida Gators — 6:30 PM EST

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Miami Hurricanes vs. Auburn Tigers — 10:15 AM EST

Tampa Lady Spartans vs. Clemson Tigers — 12:30 PM EST

South Florida Ice Bulls vs. Miami Hurricanes — 2:45 PM EST

Admission is free to attend. All games will be played at Nest Hockey Academy.

M3 Playoff Picture

Elsewhere in the conference, potential playoff previews take place in the Men’s Division 3 ranks. 

Vanderbilt will head to Upstate South Carolina to take on the Clemson Tigers. If the postseason began today, Clemson would lock horns with the Commodores in the 1st Round. Vandy enters Week 17 clinging to the final playoff position in College Hockey South. A win or two against the fifth-seeded Tigers could cement Vandy’s spot in the playoffs.

After the ice storm that ravaged the East Coast canceled the series between South Carolina and Alabama last weekend, the Gamecocks and Frozen Tide will do battle twice in Pelham, AL. 

Both teams enter the weekend series playing their best hockey of the season. After a brutal start to the season, Alabama has won three of its last four and has climbed up the ACHA M3 rankings. The Gamecocks won their final five games of the fall semester, earning a spot in the top 10 of the ACHA M3 rankings. Depending on how the teams fare down the stretch run, this, too, could be a first-round meeting.

Follow College Hockey South on social media for Game of the Week coverage, live updates, and post-game recaps throughout the weekend.

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.