By Abby Doperak · KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Falling to the Cowboys 6-4 and 8-2, the Ice Vols put up a strong fight in their final home series of the season. Entering the week…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Falling to the Cowboys 6-4 and 8-2, the Ice Vols put up a strong fight in their final home series of the season.
Entering the weekend, Tennessee knew it faced a tough challenge against an 18-1 Oklahoma State team.
“We can hang in with any team in this league,” Tennessee captain Connor Frazer said. “They are by far the number one team in this league.”
Friday night’s matchup began with a ceremonial puck drop by Ice Vol alumnus Jason Weaver in front of an excited, packed arena.
Tennessee opened the weekend with quick, aggressive play. The Ice Vols spent much of the first period on defense, effectively breaking up Cowboy passing lanes.
Goalie Patrick Green stayed agile in net, allowing just one goal to Oklahoma State’s Rylan Brady for a 1-0 score after the opening period. Physicality picked up as the period progressed.
The second period brought four goals for the Cowboys, scored by Zion Green, Rys Sakrisvold, Cooper Matthews, and Corbin Roach. Trailing 4-0, the Ice Vols struggled to get past Oklahoma State’s aggressive defense until the final five minutes of the period.
At 14:42, Tennessee’s Bryce Cooper found the back of the net with assists from Frazer and Mitchell Spranklin. The Ice Vols capitalized on the momentum, scoring again to cut the deficit to 5-2 on a goal by alternate captain Tyler Iles.
The final period opened with newcomer Stan Bright scoring just one minute in. Oklahoma State responded with a goal from Nolan Burchett to make it 6-3. With two minutes remaining, Cooper scored again, sealing the 6-4 final.
Despite the loss, the Ice Vols matched Oklahoma State closely in shots on goal, finishing with 35 shots to the Cowboys’ 34.
Saturday night marked the final game at the Knoxville Coliseum for Tennessee’s 2026 seniors. The evening began with an emotional senior night ceremony as friends and family filled the stands.
“I was very emotional, and several tears were shed,” Frazer said. “I’m just happy that all these parents and families could come out, and I was able to have one last game with my brothers.”
Green once again saw heavy action in goal and performed well despite allowing two first-period goals from Corbin Roach and Oklahoma State captain Kaden Nelson.
The second period featured increased physicality from both teams, resulting in multiple penalties on both sides. Despite a losing score, crowd energy stayed electric, with altercations on the ice fueling the cheers.
Oklahoma State added goals from Jordan Karafile and Nelson, but Tennessee avoided a shutout when Spranklin scored to make it 4-1.
“It’s a physical game, but you have to pick and choose when you go,” Cooper said. “If there is a dirty hit, you always want to stand up for your brothers, but really just have a head on your shoulders while you do it.”
Oklahoma State pulled away in the final period, scoring four goals. The Ice Vols added one from Dylan Updike, but could not keep pace, falling 8-2. Tennessee finished with 28 shots on goal, while the Cowboys recorded 56.
“We were trying to stay positive and play our game,” Spranklin said. “When we play our game, I think we can beat anyone in this league. It didn’t go in our favor this weekend, but I still think we gave a good effort.”
Frazer said the team will approach the remainder of the season with a “clean slate” and focus on the games ahead. Looking forward, the Ice Vols will travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina next weekend to compete in the SEC tournament.