2026 CHS Playoff Recap

The road to a championship always brings out the best in College Hockey South teams, and the 2026 postseason delivered exactly that. Over four days of intense matchups, dramatic comebacks, and standout individual performances, programs from across the conference battled for their chance to lift a title and cement their place in CHS history. From redemption stories to historic first-time champions, the 2026 CHS Playoffs showcased just how competitive and deep College Hockey South has become.

Men’s Division 2

Last season, Florida Atlantic entered the Division 2 playoffs as the number one seed and the prohibitive favorite to take home the Ameritrans Cup. However, the Owls were upset in the first round by Ole Miss, making it two straight playoff disappointments for FAU.

Perhaps this season was FAU taking two years of CHS playoff frustration out on its opponents. The Owls dominated both Florida and Tampa, outscoring them 14-6 in two games and claiming the top prize in CHS M2. 

Brady Baehser led the way offensively for Florida Atlantic, scoring a goal and four assists in the two playoff games. Gunnar Stevens’ performance in goal against Tampa earned him playoff MVP, stopping 30 of 32 Spartan shots. After his stellar performance at ACHA Regionals, Stevens’ postseason numbers improved to 3-0-0, with a 1.67 goals-against average and a .943% save percentage.

Men’s Division 3

Speaking of last season, the South Florida Ice Bulls came up 60 minutes short of reaching the peak in the CHS playoffs. The 2024-2045 high-powered offensive juggernaut USF squad was shut out in the CHS Championship Game by MTSU, 4-0. 

Just like FAU in Division 2, it looked like the Bulls held on to those hard feelings from that bitter loss until this weekend, and let their opponents have the worst of it. 

South Florida began its march toward a championship by crushing Kennesaw State 11-5 in a chippy quarterfinal. Three Ice Bulls finish the matchup with three points, including M3 MVP Grant Dietz, who recorded a hat trick. 

USF’s stiffest challenge came in the semifinal against Florida Gulf Coast. The Bulls and Eagles went blow for blow in a true heavyweight fight. The teams entered the third period tied at two, but then traded the lead twice more in the final period, sending the game into overtime tied at 4. In overtime, Jonathan Heller capitalized on an FGCU penalty, winning the game and sending USF to the Championship.

In USF’s final act, the Ice Bulls narrowly held on to a 6-4 win over arch-rival Tampa to take home the Pictsweet Cup. USF scored the game’s first five goals and led 6-1 in the third period before Tampa chipped away at the lead. Ultimately, Dietz’s shorthanded goal held up as the game winner, and the Bulls skated away victorious.

Ryan Koch was named tournament MVP, amassing 122 saves in USF’s three playoff wins.

Men’s ACDC Division

In the history of the NHL, there has been only one instance of the lowest-seeded team winning the Stanley Cup. In 2012, the Los Angeles Kings shocked the hockey world on the back of stingy defense and heroic goaltending from Jonathan Quick. One could argue that Florida State’s run to the ACDC Championship is almost identical.

As the lowest seed, the Seminoles allowed three goals in three games en route to their first conference championship in program history. Just like the 2012 Kings, Matthew Silliman was at the forefront of the success for the ‘Noles, stopping 82 of 85 shots to win tournament MVP.

Florida State required some late-game magic in the Championship Game, though, as the contest was tied at 1 in the late stages of regulation. Just when the game seemed destined for overtime, Cole Brunoli buried a centering pass from Luke Collins to give FSU a late lead that would hold up. 

The first-ever CHS ACDC playoff was an incredible tournament that finished with an incredible Championship Game, and it’s a shame either team had to lose.

Women's Division

For the second time in three years, the Tampa Lady Spartans have won the College Hockey South Women’s Division! Much like the M3 South Florida Bulls, Tampa fell in the conference championship game last year. The Lady Spartans actually led in the 2025 final last season against Alabama, before surrendering the lead and falling 3-2 to the Frozen Tide.

In the ultimate act of revenge, Tampa crushed Alabama 4-0 in the 2026 Championship Game to steal back the Women’s Cup. The Lady Spartans dominated Alabama in the first period, outshooting the Frozen Tide 17-5 and racing out to a 3-0 lead. College Hockey South Goalie of the Year Clara Kurek stopped all 28 Alabama shots, earning her first career playoff shutout. 

Tampa’s true test came in the semifinal against the Florida Gators. Florida carried a 3-2 lead late into the third period before Tampa’s Ava Johnson scored on a breakaway to level the game. Then, in the final minute, First Team All-CHS forward Molly Braga capitalized on a Gator turnover to bury the game-winning goal. 

Through the emergence of several different programs this year in the CHS Women’s Division, one thing remained certain: the division runs through Tampa.

Looking Ahead: CHS Prospect Showcase

College Hockey South is also gearing up for its second annual Prospect Showcase, returning this summer after a highly successful inaugural event. The showcase provides prospective student-athletes with competitive exposure, direct interaction with CHS coaches, and an inside look at the collegiate club hockey experience.

More details, registration information, and event updates can be found below:

Learn more about the CHS Prospect Showcase here.

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.