2025-26 Season Week 4 Preview

Following up on an exciting weekend in Columbus, several teams are looking to bring the heat in Week 4 of College Hockey South action. Here’s who to watch:

Game of the Week: Alabama (M3) @ Middle Tennessee State (M3)

Our Game of the Week features the University of Alabama Frozen Tide traveling to Nashville to face the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders.

The Blue Raiders are coming off an impressive 2024-25 campaign, finishing with a 26-7-1 record and capturing the CHS Division 2 Championship. Now in Division 3, MTSU looks to extend its two-game win streak.

The Frozen Tide enter CHS play with momentum after an 8-2 victory against AAU’s University of Alabama-Huntsville. Forward Zachary Groves leads the way offensively with two goals and two assists through two games.

For MTSU, goaltender Grant Williams will be a tough test for Alabama’s offense. Williams was outstanding against Clemson in Week 2, stopping 35 shots and earning a shutout.

• Game 1: Friday, Sept. 26 @ 8:45 PM CT (Ford Ice Center – Antioch)

• Game 2: Saturday, Sept. 27 @ 8:45 PM CT (Ford Ice Center – Antioch)

USF (M3) vs Embry-Riddle (M3)

Two Florida rivals clash in a home-and-home series as the USF Ice Bulls and Embry-Riddle Ice Eagles battle for bragging rights.

Embry-Riddle looks to snap a four-game losing streak after finishing last season with a 6-18-2 record. Meanwhile, USF is on a tear, defeating Florida Southern and Florida Atlantic by a combined score of 21-1.

Leading the charge for USF is Grant Dietz, who dominated Week 3 with eight goals and five assists in two games. Dietz, the reigning CHS D2 MVP, was named Second Star of the Week and will be a key factor again this weekend.

• Game 1: Friday, Sept. 26 – USF @ ERAU, 7:00 PM ET (Daytona Ice Arena)

• Game 2: Saturday, Sept. 27 – ERAU @ USF, 7:15 PM ET (AdventHealth Center Ice)

Florida Southern (M3) @ Tampa (M3)

Another Florida home-and-home matchup features the Tampa Spartans and Florida Southern Mocs.

Florida Southern is eager to rebound from a tough 12-0 loss to USF in Week 3. The Mocs will look to offensive leader Will Marshall, who was named First Star of Week 2 after a five-goal performance, to spark their attack.

Tampa, meanwhile, is rolling with a two-game win streak over ERAU. Goaltender Eddie Zane has anchored the Spartans early, allowing just one goal per game last weekend.

• Game 1: Friday, Sept. 26 @ 10:15 PM ET – Tampa @ Florida Southern (Lakeland Ice Arena)

• Game 2: Saturday, Sept. 27 @ 6:00 PM ET – Florida Southern @ Tampa (Clearwater Ice Arena)

Auburn (W) @ Kennesaw State (W)

The Auburn Tigers look to bounce back from a 1-2-0 showing at the Columbus Classic as they face the Kennesaw State Owls in their first-ever CHS games.

Auburn opened strong in Columbus with a 5-2 win over Georgia but stumbled against USF and Alabama. Star forward Cassidy Cross was a bright spot, scoring seven goals and an assist in the tournament, though her status is uncertain after leaving Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury.

For Kennesaw, this debut series is a chance to make an immediate impact in the Women’s Division. With home-ice advantage in Atlanta, the Owls will aim to prove they belong by toppling an established program like Auburn.

• Game 1: Saturday, Sept. 27 @ 9:15 PM ET (Atlanta Ice House)

• Game 2: Sunday, Sept. 28 @ 6:00 PM ET (Atlanta Ice House)

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.