By Abby Doperak · KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Ice Vols fell short in a weekend series at home against the Fairfield Stags. Coming off a loss to South Carolina, Te…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Ice Vols fell short in a weekend series at home against the Fairfield Stags.
Coming off a loss to South Carolina, Tennessee was looking to redeem themselves in front of their home crowd.
The first game of the weekend on Friday night opened with the Ice Vols struggling to keep pace with the Stags. Fairfield forward Bobby Sharfstein scored the first goal of the game, giving the Stags a 1-0 lead.
The second period brought high emotions and short tempers from both teams. While the Ice Vols continued to struggle connecting passes, Fairfield forward Brendan Burke found the back of the net to extend the lead to 2-0.
Just 30 seconds into the final period, Fairfield forward Luke Gerardi scored to push the lead to 3-0. Tennessee alternate captain Tyler Iles quickly responded with two goals, both assisted by forward Mitchell Spranklin.
Once again, the Ice Vols waited too late to produce, falling to Fairfield with a final score of 3-2.
On Sunday, Fairfield hit the ice hungry for another win, while the Ice Vols lacked the urgency needed for an even match-up. After allowing three goals in the first period, Tennessee forward Will Hurlburt cut the deficit to 3-1.
In the third period, Byrce Cooper, Matt Pavek, and captain Connor Frazer each scored for Tennessee, but the rally wasn’t enough after the Ice Vols allowed four additional Fairfield goals, resulting in a 7-4 final. Despite only scoring six goals over the weekend, Tennessee outshot Fairfield 89-61.
Continuing to struggle in the first two periods of games, the Ice Vols will need to clean up their puck control and communication, along with improving overall urgency on the ice.
Tennessee will travel to Jacksonville, Florida, to face the Gators on Nov. 21 and 23 in their final series of the semester.