Game of the Week #1: University of Georgia (D1) @ University of Florida (D1)
The first game of the week was a battle across state lines. After raising a national championship banner in front of a proud Gators crowd, the University of Georgia Bulldogs stole the show.
The Bulldogs scored five consecutive goals throughout the first two periods. Despite three power play opportunities, the Gators’ score sheet was blank.
Mikey Katz gave Florida a slim chance after he netted a puck just over seven minutes into the third period, but it was too little too late. A minute later, Georgia’s David Eberly shut down any possibility of Florida winning with a goal for the Bulldogs.
Shots were almost even at the end of the game, but Georgia’s precision pocketed them a 6-1 victory in game one.
While the slate was wiped clean for the Gators come game two, they did not yield a better result. Efforts from Gator Michael McCoy, who netted a hat trick, were not enough when presented with Georgia’s depth.
The Gators again fell to the Bulldogs, who claimed a 7-5 victory. Florida was swept in what was meant to be a celebratory weekend.
Game of the Week #2: Lynn University (D2) @ University of Miami (D2)
The second game of the week between the Lynn University Fighting Knights and the University of Miami Hurricanes was another disappointment for the defending national champions. The ‘Canes hoisted their banner before falling 6-3 to the Fighting Knights.
The Fighting Knights lit up the scoreboard three times before Miami triggered the goal horn. Lynn’s Nicholas Noce scored a shorthanded goal in the second period. Miami replied with two of their own goals, coming within one.
But another three-goal outburst by the Fighting Knights squashed the Hurricanes’ hopes of a comeback. Miami’s Mac Callaghan scored a third goal for his team, but their effort was not enough.
Middle Tennessee State University (D2) @ University of Tennessee (D1)
Like their previous showing, the University of Tennessee Volunteers opened the weekend series against the Middle Tennessee State (MTSU) Raiders in dominant fashion.
The Raiders were ahead 2-0 at the start of the second period, but Tennessee quickly turned the tide. Volunteer James Goetz initiated a five-goal scoring streak within the second period for his team. Tennessee went up 5-2 entering the third period.
Matthew Siciliano of the Raiders scored shorthanded, followed by a goal from teammate Brendan Ogle that brought MTSU within one.
But once again, Tennessee refused to lose. The Vols added three more to their tally and took game one 8-4.
Game two was a closer contest. The Raiders once again opened the scoring. Tennessee retaliated, but this time, MTSU had a response.
After a back-and-forth battle between the Smokey Mountain skaters, regulation ended in a 4-4 tie. The Ice Vols prevailed in the shootout, 5-4.
Florida Southern College (D2) vs. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (D2)
The Florida Southern Moccasins started their season by taking over the Daytona Ice Arena. They capitalized on a fiery competition against a scattered Eagles team.
Both teams made numerous trips to the penalty box during the game—each school was assessed seventeen penalties throughout the series opener.
Unlike the Eagles, however, the Moccasins were able to justify their actions. They scored three shorthanded goals, one power-play goal, and a fifth even-strength goal.
The Eagles scored only one goal throughout the game despite Embry-Riddle Coach Anthony Galante taking a penalty to rally his team.
Saturday was a fresh start for Embry-Riddle. After being humbled in their barn, they avenged themselves at the Moccasins’ home opener, winning 9-2. Eagle Ray Olson accounted for three of the team’s nine goals, earning himself a hat trick.
Eastern Kentucky University (D3) @ Austin Peay State University
In Austin Peay State’s College Hockey South series debut, the Governor’s swept the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. The Governors claimed the first game 6-2 and the second in an impressive 9-2.
During the first period of game one, each team found the back of the net once. Eastern Kentucky fell short in the second, however, and never recovered.
After Colonel Joseph Daniels’ unassisted goal, Governors Brendan Sullivan and Jackson Smith would each score two for Austin Peay. Peyton Leonard topped off the league debut for the Governors with a sixth goal.
Austin Peay carried their momentum into game two, with nine goals contributed by six players. Governor Jackson Smith is the third player among the CHS slate of games to rake in a hat trick.
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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