Arkansas Hockey Returns With A Chicago Road Trip
Did you forget about the Razorback Hockey Club? If so, don’t fret, as both the D2 and D3 programs are back on the ice for the start of the final semester of play. We start with the D2 team as they will skate first, on Friday, January 10th. Entering the opening contest of the final stretch, the Razorbacks sit at 12-8 and 3rd place in the MACHA Gold division standings.
We will look back at some highlights from the first semester of play, highlight some players to watch, plus, take a look at the opening matchup for the club.
New Era For Razorback Hockey
As the Razorback Hockey Club embarked on a new era of hockey, with the addition of the D2 program, and this club has made waves on the ice. Head coach Keller Sims would speak with 4 Star Sports in the preseason about the schedule and wanting to challenge himself and the club. With this, road contests against #1 Lindenwood and #2 Florida Gulf Coast were added to keep the Razorbacks on their top game on the ice.
In addition to these contests, we saw the D2 club sweep a D1 Oklahoma club to start 2024 was perhaps the highest thus far. This, along with a 9-1 win over Missouri, makes the optics that this club has earned the respect at their new level. With a series shutout of Bradley, a new conference rival, and a record at The Jones Center, home ice of the club, of 7-1, the club is eager to drop the puck on the second semester.
Skating In Semester Playoff Push
Razorback fans may recognize many names but the new additions have been great assets. A pair of freshman forwards in, Ayden Frolik, who leads the club in points, with 23, followed by Alex Fendler, who has 18 on the season. In addition to these piglets on ice are the more mature veterans, such as junior David Markovich, who sits third on the club with 17 goals thus far on the season. These are only pieces of the talented roster compiled in Fayetteville, Arkansas as the trio of David Markovich {17}, JD Duenwald {14}, and Brenden Coon {12}, who often skate together find themselves in the top 10 in points.
Sims would say ”I think we got off to a great start, maybe started feeling ourselves a little too much, we had a tough stretch there in October. But we realized we weren’t doing enough, getting away from the little things needed to win. Once we got back to our game I think we really played up to our expectations. I know this group knows, we have more in the tank, a higher level, and I’m really looking forward to getting back and into our playoff push in the spring.” when analyzing the D2 club performance as the club headed into the semester break.
Perhaps the most important position, goalie, is where the Ice Hogs are a step above the competition. In the pipes is senior, Sam Haynes, who is 7-4 with 2 shutouts on the season. One came in a shootout victory against Bradley, mentioned above. With that win, Haynes set the program record in shutouts in goal. Haynes, along with fellow senior Grady Reis, who sits at 4-2 on the season with 1 shutout in 2024, will be key for the club as they make their playoff push.
Semester Starts Now
Speaking of push, the semester starts now as Arkansas faces Illinois on Friday, January 10th, at 7 pm from Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The Fighting Illini, who ranks 7th in the MACHA D2 Gold division, enter the second semester of play with a 6-8 record including 1 overtime loss. In addition to the Friday meeting, these clubs will meet on Saturday, with puck drop scheduled for 2 pm.
Following this road trip, the Razorbacks will return home for a meeting with Missouri.
We will have much more as we skate with the club all season long.
