2025-26 Season Week 4 Recap

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

Division 3 for College Hockey South promised to be the most wide-open and chaotic of the 2025-26 season — and our Week 4 Game of the Week delivered on that promise.

Friday’s opener began quietly, with Alabama holding a 1-0 lead past the midway mark. But in just 39 seconds, MTSU flipped the script, scoring three straight goals to snatch momentum and eventually secure a 4-1 win.

Forward Matt Siciliano fueled the offensive surge with three points on Friday, then exploded for six points in Saturday’s rematch.

Game two proved even wilder. The Blue Raiders and Frozen Tide traded blows in a track-meet style contest, combining for 15 goals. In the end, MTSU held off a late Alabama push to take an 8-7 thriller and complete the sweep.

MTSU improves to 4-0-0 in CHS Division 3 play, tying Tampa for the division lead. Alabama (1-2-0-0) remains winless in divisional games, but still has plenty of season left to rebound.

USF (M3) vs Embry-Riddle (M3)

The weekend was a tale of two games for the USF Ice Bulls and Embry-Riddle Eagles.

On Friday, reigning CHS D2 MVP, and Week 3 2nd Star of the Week Grant Dietz put on another show, scoring four goals and two assists in an 11-6 win for the Ice Bulls.

Saturday, however, the Eagles found their answer. Goaltender Ian Holland stood tall, stopping 50 of 52 shots, while Jake McCaw buried the overtime game-winner to give Embry-Riddle its first win of the season.

USF (3-0-1-0) remains unbeaten in regulation and Embry-Riddle (1-5-0-0) finally breaks through after a tough start.

Florida Southern (M3) vs Tampa (M3)

The Tampa Spartans flexed their depth and discipline in a commanding sweep over the Florida Southern Mocs.

Friday’s opener featured heavy physical play, with the teams combining for 79 penalty minutes. Tampa capitalized, scoring three power-play goals en route to an 8-0 shutout. Brendan Sickles notched a hat trick, including two with the man advantage.

The Spartans carried that momentum into Saturday, cruising to a 10-4 win at home to secure the sweep.

Tampa improves to 4-0-0-0, tied with MTSU atop Division 3. Florida Southern (1-3-0-0) has dropped three straight since its season-opening win.

Auburn (W) @ Kennesaw State (W)

The Kennesaw State Owls made their long-awaited CHS debut, while fellow newcomer Florida State also took the ice for the first time in Tampa. The Seminoles made history with their first-ever program goal, though they fell twice to the powerhouse Lady Spartans.

Kennesaw, meanwhile, drew a tough opening matchup against Auburn — and the Tigers wasted no time setting the tone. Auburn erupted for 13 first-period goals in Saturday’s opener, eventually rolling to a 21-0 victory.

The Tigers stayed dominant in game two, skating away with a 14-2 win to complete the sweep. Cassidy Cross was nearly unstoppable, racking up 10 goals and 10 assists across the two games.

Auburn (3-2-0-0) bounces back strong after a mixed Columbus Classic. Kennesaw State (0-2-0-0) will regroup as it continues its inaugural season.

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.