Week 15 of College Hockey South has come and gone. Filled with highly-anticipated match-ups, teams came out swinging. Sweeps were prevalent throughout the weekend, as the top squads demonstrated why they sit above the rest.
Game of the Week: Battle for Boca
Florida Atlantic University (D2) vs. Lynn University (D2)
The Battle for Boca was one-sided, as Florida Atlantic (FAU) bulldozed Lynn University. Through both games, the Owls outscored the Fighting Knights 33-4. FAU kicked things off with a Friday 15-2 victory at home.
Saturday night’s game at Lynn saw the Owls overrun the Fighting Knights by a score of 18-2. David Israel was unstoppable, racking up seven goals (three in the first game and four in the second). Christian Cotter was also a force on the ice, netting five goals over the weekend.
The Owls have already secured a spot in next month’s playoffs and sit first among the College Hockey South Division 2 South standings. Their biggest test thus far will come in Week 16 as they face the leaders of the North division, the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders.
Kennesaw State University (D3) at University of South Carolina (D3)
In this week’s matchup of high-octane offenses, the defense ultimately decided the outcome. Both teams finished with more penalties than goals; special teams were crucial.
The weekend’s first match was a tight contest. South Carolina (USC) struck first with two goals in the first frame. Kennesaw State (KSU) countered with one goal in the second, capitalizing on one of the three penalties assessed to the Gamecocks. Despite taking three penalties themselves in the second, the Owls’ penalty kill was foolproof.
KSU tied the game with just over two minutes left in the third period. But the game was just heating up – Jacob Kaliberda came back 22 seconds later to put the ‘Cocks up 3-2. Paul Marshall sealed the deal for USC with a short-handed goal with ten seconds left. USC took a Friday night thriller 4-2.
The second meeting between the teams was just as heated as the first. The Gamecocks picked up the second game how they finished the first – with a short-handed goal.
Following a second Carolina goal, Owl Christian Sousa attempted to rally his team, able to net a power play goal. South Carolina shut down hopes of a comeback with three unanswered goals in the third period. USC secured a sweep of KSU with a 5-1 win.
University of South Carolina (D1) at University of Georgia (D1)
The University of Georgia Ice Dawgs proved why they are ranked first in the AAU national rankings with two commanding wins over South Carolina. The two teams’ previous meeting ended in a 3-3 draw, leaving both teams with unfinished business.
Friday night’s game was low-scoring, with Georgia shutting out South Carolina 2-0. Evan Moore put the Ice Dawgs ahead early in the first, and the Gamecocks failed to take advantage of either power play provided to them.
Each team exchanged penalties in the second, but the goal horn was never triggered. South Carolina only dug a deeper hole for themselves in the third: committing two penalties and giving up an empty-net goal to seal a victory for Georgia.
The Gamecocks opened the scoring in Saturday’s game, but their discipline issues were again problematic. Three penalties in the first period allowed the Ice Dawgs to take full advantage, and the Ice Dawgs never looked back.
With motivation dwindling for the ‘Cocks, the Ice Dawgs capped off their weekend with two more goals. South Carolina fell 5-1, instigating a minor brawl at the end of the game due to pent-up frustration.
University of Tampa (W) vs. University of South Florida (W)
The Lady Spartans completed their season sweep of the Lady Bulls with a 4-0 win in the Gasparilla Classic. Tampa saw goals from three of its key players. Molly Braga, Lauren Cloherty, and Ava Johnson – each tallied a goal.
With a win over the Lady Bulls, the Lady Spartans sit atop the College Hockey South Women’s Division, while South Florida holds third place. Both teams have secured spots in the playoffs.
Tampa’s victory kicked off the Gasparilla weekend festivities, where thousands of pirates invaded the city of Tampa Bay. Much like Gasparilla, Tampa, and South Florida will invade Athens for the Women’s Division playoffs in the second weekend of February.
Or perhaps Tampa will be defending the precious treasure they won a year ago when they won the first-ever College Hockey South Women’s Championship.
Clemson (D2) at Georgia Tech (D2)
The Clemson Tigers continued their strong start to the season with two wins over a struggling Georgia Tech team. On Friday, the Tigers came out on top 5-3, followed by a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Clemson now sits second in the College Hockey South Division 2 North standings in three weekends of play. Will Van Sicklin and Mick McKeon are helping lead the pack. Van Sicklin lit up the scoreboard thrice, and McKeon added two goals and one assist against the Yellow Jackets.
The Tigers are comfortably in playoff position despite missing the entire fall semester. Georgia Tech has work to do in a crowded Division 2 North Division playoff picture. The Yellow Jackets have a one-point lead on Vanderbilt for the final playoff spot.
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 30-school, 50-team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states that competes in AAU College Hockey. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.
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