Semester winds down for Hog programs

The University of Arkansas Men’s Hockey program concluded play earlier this month, closing down an improved first semester of play that saw the Division I team play 22 games against ranked opponents.  After a strong start that included a Division I team sweep of Illinois State for the first time in program history, the Hogs struggled to consistently turn in sixty minute performances.  The Division I team would lose leads late in games several times on the road, including to Alabama on September 23, Oklahoma on September 28, Arizona State on October 12, and Arizona State on October 14.  Losing leads late in games was also a problem at home; Arkansas lost two-goal leads to both Oklahoma and Missouri State at home.

But despite the semester’s challenges, the young DI Razorback squad saw numerous positive–and historic–moments during the fall semester.  Notably, the DI Hogs turned in three sweeps:  first against Illinois State and then a first-ever conference sweep of Colorado State followed by a home sweep of arch-rival Alabama.  For perspective, the 16-17 Division I squad was unable to sweep any other Division I opponent.  The first semester also included a first-ever win over Oklahoma on home ice and an overtime thriller against conference-rival Missouri State to close out the first semester.

The second semester includes eleven more games, six of which will take place in the friendly confines of a packed Jones Center. After a three game swing through Colorado to start the second semester, Arkansas returns home to take on Division II McKendree and closes the regular season with four consecutive home games–two against Illinois State and two against Lindenwood. The season’s second half kicks off on January 18 in Ft. Collins against conference-rival Colorado State.

For its part, the Division III Hogs finished the semester with an overall 13-6-0 record. First semester highlights for the DIII squad included sweeps of Robert Morris-Peoria, Missouri State, Mississippi State, and Dordt.  Division III resumes play at home on January 19 against first-time opponent Creighton University.  The DIII Hogs will play six total remaining regular season games before traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, for the SECHC Conference Playoffs on February 9-11.