The Arkansas Hockey Club program has returned to the ice. The Razorbacks took a thirteen-hour bus ride from Fayetteville, Arkansas to Oxford, Ohio for the showcase hosted by Miami {OH}. Arkansas came into this weekend series with a record of 17-2 and ranked #4 in the ACHA standings. We will look at the three games played, who stood out in each, and how this showcase can propel this program moving forward. We will start with the first game. Who was the opponent? How did the Hogs fare?
Who Did the Razorbacks Face in the Showcase?
Friday Night – Indiana University of Pennsylvania
In the first game of the weekend, the Hogs would face IUP in a late start, as the game would start at 8pm. After a first period that saw either team score the second period would be an exciting one. Trevor Borlace would be the first to ‘Light the Lamp’ for Arkansas and put the Hogs up 1-0. After a pair of goals from IUP Arkansas would find themselves trailing. Ethan Rogers would tie the game at two with two minutes left in the second period. IUP would score another goal to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. This was unfamiliar territory for the Razorbacks this season and we were interested to see how they would respond. Arkansas would answer the question with the tune of goals from Kyle Crews, and two goals, from Cameron McAtee to take a 5-3 lead. The last goal by McAtee was his 100th career goal as a Razorback. With a total team effort, the Razorbacks would finish strong and win, 5-3, in an exciting opening match.
Saturday – Miami {OH} University
After a late yet exciting opening match against IUP, the Razorbacks were slated in the 2pm slot for Saturday. The Hogs would face the home team in Miami {OH}. This would be the second time these two teams have met this season as the two met on October, 21st in the Route 66 Showcase. Arkansas would come away with a 4-3 win. In this meeting the Redhawks would score first. Razorback, Dylan Odeein, would tie the game with less than a second left in the 1st period. After goals from Kyle Patterson and Micheal Ellis, the Hogs would take a 3-1 lead entering the 3rd period. McAtee would add another goal as the Hogs would take a 4-1 lead in the 3rd. After two goals from Miami {OH}, Arkansas would take game two of the showcase with a 4-3 win. Goalie, Sam Haynes, was vital in this win as he continues to play at a high level.
Sunday – Grand Valley State University
Sunday would start early as the Razorbacks would drop puck at 6:45 am as they would face #9 Grand Valley State University. Arkansas would have to fight from behind on the scoreboard. After being down by two goals after the first, Arkansas would fight in the second period. In that period, the Razorbacks would have goals from Trevor McLain, to make it 2-1, and Kye Crews, to tie the game at two. This score would hold as these two top teams would head to the 3rd period. In that period, the Razorbacks would give up three goals, with the last being an open net situation, and fall by a final score of 5-2. This is the Razorbacks first loss since October 7th and ended their 16 game winning streak.
What Did This Showcase Mean?
This weekend was another great opportunity for this program to prove they belong. To have to take a bus ride and have a very oddly timed schedule this program did just that. The Razorbacks are now 19-3 on the season. This program remains top in its division and is a top five team nationally. As this season winds down this program will have a target on its back. They will receive the best game from everyone they play for the remainder of the season. Arkansas will now travel back home for a weekend series, on January 27th and 28th, against Missouri State. This will be the final home series of the season for the Razorbacks.
