2025-26 Season Week 5 Preview

Rivalries, redemption, and early-season bragging rights highlight Week 5 of the College Hockey South season. Here’s what’s on deck across the conference:

Game of the Week: Tampa (M2) @ Florida Atlantic (M2)

All eyes will be on Boca Raton this weekend as the Tampa Spartans travel south for a three-game set against the Florida Atlantic Owls. Friday’s opener has been named our Game of the Week, and for good reason.

Both programs are coming off National Championships in 2024-25, with Tampa claiming the AAU Division I crown and FAU lifting the Division II trophy. Now they collide in an early-season showdown that could help shape the path to this year’s CHS title.

Tampa enters at 2-1-0-0 overall but has yet to play a CHS contest, while FAU sits tied with Florida in the standings at 4-1-0-0 overall and 1-1-0-0 in CHS play. The Owls will lean on goaltender Rocco Bruno, who has started the year hot with a 3-1-0-0 record and a sparkling .961 save percentage.

With only three M2 teams in CHS (Florida, FAU, Tampa), every conference matchup is crucial. Expect intensity, skill, and playoff-like energy from puck drop to final horn.

• Game 1: Friday, Oct. 3 – 6:45 PM ET (Boca Ice)

• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 4 – 9:45 PM ET (Boca Ice)

• Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 5 – 4:15 PM ET (Boca Ice)

Jacksonville (ACDC) vs Florida (ACDC)

An undefeated Jacksonville squad puts its perfect start on the line against the Florida Gators in one of Week 5’s most intriguing matchups.

The Dolphins sit at 4-0-1-0 all-time in program history and are coming off a 3-1 upset over Florida Atlantic (M3) last weekend. The Gators, meanwhile, look to rebound after falling 7-4 to North Florida. Despite the setback, Florida remains unbeaten in CHS play and will be eager to keep it that way.

Both teams boast firepower and depth, setting up a clash that could be an ACDC tone-setter for the rest of the season.

Game Time: Friday, Oct. 3 – 9:00 PM ET (Community First Igloo)

USF (W) @ Miami (W)

The women’s slate features a pivotal South Division matchup as the USF Ice Bulls visit Miami for a two-game series.

Both teams sit near the top of the standings—Miami with three points, USF with two—and both are chasing early momentum in a competitive division.

USF will lean on newcomer Chloe Valente, who exploded for 10 goals and 16 points at the Columbus Classic, while Miami is hungry to bounce back from a shootout loss to Tennessee on Sept. 21.

Expect speed and grit when these two hit the ice.

• Game 1: Friday, Oct. 3 – 9:00 PM ET (Kendall Ice Arena)

• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 4 – 6:30 PM ET (Panthers IceDen)

War on I-4: USF (M3) vs UCF (M3)

The War on I-4 returns this weekend with a home-and-home series between USF and UCF.

The Ice Bulls have been an offensive juggernaut early, scoring 34 goals in their first four games. But after an overtime loss last weekend, they’ll be eager to reset against their biggest rival.

UCF sits at 2-1-1 overall and knows discipline will be key after racking up 22 penalty minutes in their most recent outing. With bragging rights on the line, this matchup always delivers fireworks.

• Game 1: Friday, Oct. 3 – 9:00 PM ET (Orlando Ice Den)

• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 4 – 7:30 PM ET (AdventHealth Center Ice)

Kennesaw State (M3) @ Florida Atlantic (M3)

Owls vs Owls. Kennesaw State heads to Boca Raton for a divisional series against FAU, with both teams desperate to gain traction in the standings.

KSU comes in at 1-4, fresh off a tough sweep by Auburn (M2). Their lone CHS highlight was an upset win over South Carolina (M3). FAU, meanwhile, opened strong with two wins against Miami but has since dropped four straight, scoring just seven goals in that span.

With both teams searching for their identity, this series could be the spark one of them needs to turn things around.

It’s safe to say this divisional series will be a hoot!

• Game 1: Friday, Oct. 3 – 9:45 PM ET (Boca Ice)

• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 4 – 6:45 PM ET (Boca Ice)

Rivalries, redemption, and championship-caliber matchups — Week 5 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal weekends yet in the 2025-26 CHS 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.