By Abby Doperak · IRMO, S.C. – The undefeated have fallen, as the Tennessee Ice Vols swept the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road with a 3-1 victory Friday and a 5-1…
IRMO, S.C. – The undefeated have fallen, as the Tennessee Ice Vols swept the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road with a 3-1 victory Friday and a 5-1 win Sunday.
Tennessee entered the weekend with a 5-1 record, while South Carolina was undefeated at 8-0. The Ice Vols left Irmo with a 7-1 record after a strong defensive performance and a productive weekend on offense.
Friday’s game opened with aggressive play and fast skating from both teams. The first period remained scoreless until Jake Premo found the back of the net more than halfway through the period, giving Tennessee a 1-0 lead.
Both of the first period’s penalties were given to Tennessee, including one to Matt Pavek, who began the second period in the penalty box. Both teams continued to generate scoring opportunities before South Carolina found the net to tie the game at 1-1.
The Ice Vols regained the lead before the end of the period when Jacob Kulas scored, putting Tennessee ahead 2-1.
Just two minutes into the third period, Will Schnieder scored to extend Tennessee’s lead to 3-1. The rest of the period remained scoreless, but the Ice Vols continued to demonstrate their defensive strength while dominating a penalty kill.
Tennessee secured a 3-1 victory to open the series.
“It was a great team win,” Kieran Crossan said. “It was our first full 60 minutes of hockey that we played really well.”
Captain and game-one starting goaltender Patrick Green delivered a strong performance between the pipes, allowing just one goal while South Carolina recorded 34 shot attempts.
Captain Marius Angelin said the team expected South Carolina to respond with greater intensity after suffering its first loss of the season.
“I feel like they are going to come out even harder on Sunday since they lost their first of the year,” Angelin said. “We have to be ready and prepared.”
Sunday’s game started slowly, but Tennessee found its rhythm and continued to build on the standard it had established throughout the beginning of the season.
Midway through the first period, Kulas scored his second goal of the weekend to give the Ice Vols a 1-0 lead. Pavek followed with a goal of his own to extend the advantage to 2-0. South Carolina responded with a goal with 1:30 remaining in the period, cutting Tennessee’s lead to 2-1.
The second period belonged to the Ice Vols. Will Hurlburt opened the scoring run to make it 3-1 before Mitchell Spranklin added a power play goal. Pavek scored his second goal of the game, extending Tennessee’s lead to 5-1.
Neither team scored the rest of the game, which featured several penalties and two game misconducts for each team.
Tennessee held on for a 5-1 victory, completing the weekend sweep.
“I think the guys rose to the occasion,” head coach Rod Simmons said. “They learned a little something from some mistakes last week. They are learning how to win; it’s all a process.”
Freshman goaltender Charlie Donoghue also turned in a strong performance Sunday, allowing just one goal while 28 shot attempts were made by South Carolina.
“This weekend we only gave up two goals,” said captain Tyler Rose. “In practice we hone in on the small details, and I think it really showed during the games this weekend.”
The Ice Vols improved to 7-1 with the sweep. Despite being back on a hot streak, Tennessee will have a week off from competition.
“I think it will be good,” Simmons said. “Guys will be able to focus on their academics and take care of their bumps and bruises. It gives us a week to refocus on what our next challenge is.”
The Ice Vols will return to the ice in Knoxville on Nov. 5 for a series against Miami University of Ohio.