2025-26 Season Week 7 Preview

Week 7 of College Hockey South action has arrived, and fans will be eating good! From the Tennessee Lady Ice Vols’ showdown with the Auburn Tigers to Tampa’s men’s squad facing off with the reigning national champions, there’s no excuse not to be tuned in.

Game of the Week: Tampa (M2) at Lindenwood (M2)

Our Game of the Week rarely features a non-CHS matchup, but this one comes with good reason. Much like Tampa’s prior Game of the Week clash with Florida Atlantic, this will be a battle of National Champions.

Less than a month after raising their 2025 AAU Division 1 National Championship banner, the Tampa Spartans will head to metro St. Louis, Missouri, to take on the 2025 ACHA Division 2 National Champion Lindenwood Lions.

Tampa will look to repeat its success from the first champ-vs-champ series of the year, when the Spartans swept FAU and outscored the Owls 23-7 — including a 9-2 rout in the Week 5 Game of the Week.

Lindenwood’s title defense is just beginning, with only three games played compared to Tampa’s eight (6-2-0-0). The Lions have started strong, going undefeated and sweeping Liberty last weekend.

Though the series has no conference implications, it’s a massive opportunity for Tampa to make a national statement in its first season back in the ACHA. Expect high-level hockey as two championship programs collide in St. Louis.

• Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 18 – 3:35 PM EST (Centene Community Ice Center)

• Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 19 – 1:35 PM EST (Centene Community Ice Center)

Florida Tech (ACDC) vs USF (ACDC)

Florida Tech hits the road to face the USF Ice Bulls in what promises to be a goal-filled weekend.

The Panthers return to action for the first time since knocking off Jacksonville 5-2 — their third straight win and fourth consecutive game scoring five or more goals. Meanwhile, the Ice Bulls have been explosive, tallying 18 goals in just two games against St. Leo.

Fans should expect an offensive shootout when these two meet.

• Game 1: Friday, Oct. 17 – 7:00 PM EST (AdventHealth Center Ice)

• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 18 – 10:50 PM EST (Space Coast Iceplex)

Tennessee (W) at Auburn (W)

After a dominant sweep over Kennesaw State, Auburn was humbled by South Carolina, scoring just once in two games while surrendering 16 goals.

Tennessee, on the other hand, returns to the site of one of its most thrilling wins — a 3-2 shootout victory over Miami at the Columbus Classic last month. That win snapped a seven-game losing streak, and the Lady Ice Vols will look to build on that momentum against the Tigers.

• Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 18 – 8:00 PM EST (Columbus Ice Rink)

• Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 19 – 1:30 PM EST (Columbus Ice Rink)

USF (M3) at Lynn (M3)

Fresh off their Game of the Week victory, USF continues to roll into Palm Beach. The Ice Bulls have won six of their first eight games and boast the division’s top offensive duo in Grant Dietz and Jacob Duhaime.

For Lynn, an upset win could help turn their season around. The Fighting Knights are winless in their last seven, but a recent overtime battle with defending conference champion MTSU showed promise. If they can channel that same energy, they could give USF all it can handle.

• Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 17 – 8:00 PM EST (Palm Beach Skate Zone)

• Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 18 – 8:00 PM EST (Palm Beach Skate Zone)

Miami (M3) at Tampa (M3)

Few programs have started stronger than Tampa’s trio of CHS teams, who have combined for a staggering 19-3-0 record. The Spartans’ Division 3 squad remains undefeated through its first six games and will look to keep that streak alive against Miami.

The Hurricanes are searching for a bounce-back performance after a tough series against FAU (M2), where they allowed 21 goals in two games. Snapping Tampa’s perfect start would be the perfect spark to turn Miami’s season around.

• Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 17 – 8:30 PM EST (Clearwater Ice Arena)

• Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 18 – 4:00 PM EST (Clearwater Ice Arena)

Up Next: The Battle at the Beach

As Week 7 wraps up, all eyes turn to next weekend’s Battle at the Beach tournament in Coral Springs, Florida — one of College Hockey South’s premier showcase events of the season. The tournament will feature top programs across multiple divisions competing for early-season bragging rights in sunny South Florida.

Fans can read more about the upcoming event in the Battle at the Beach Tournament Preview and purchase tickets through the CHS Shop.

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.