By Abby Doperak · KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Ice Vols will host the Oklahoma State Cowboys for the final home series of the season. Originally scheduled for two…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Ice Vols will host the Oklahoma State Cowboys for the final home series of the season.
Originally scheduled for two weeks ago, the series was postponed because of weather. The Ice Vols have had their past two weekend canceled due to winter conditions.
Finally meeting on the ice, Tennessee enters the weekend with an 8-10 record against a Cowboy 18-1 record.
Oklahoma State recently traveled to Pennsylvania, where they played an outdoor game against Penn State, winning the series. The Cowboys have established themselves as a competitive force in ACHA hockey with success on offense and defense.
Tennessee’s most recent action came at the Savannah Classic, where they went 1-1 with a loss to Florida and a win over Georgia Tech. Although unable to successfully defend their Savannah Classic title, Tennessee showed it can compete in tournament play.
The Ice Vols will look to build on that success while transitioning back to a typical weakened series.
This weekend promises memorable moments for fans and players during the last games at the Knoxville Coliseum until next season.
Friday night’s game will feature a ceremonial puck drop by Tennessee hockey alumnus Jason Weaver. Weaver played three seasons as an Ice Vol and made a significant impact on hockey. He competes at a high level despite having congenital complete deafness.
After college, Weaver went on to be a member of the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association (AHIHA), which ultimately led him to be a player on the Team USA Deaf Olympic hockey team, bringing home a silver medal.
Saturday will be senior night for Tennessee as emotions run high with seniors skating for the final time in the Knoxville Coliseum in front of family, friends and teammates.
Before the game, a ceremony will honor seniors Kyle Oakley and Myles Jackson, alternate captains Tyler Iles and Kyle Stober, and captain Connor Frazer.
Both games will be played at the Knoxville Coliseum on Friday and Saturday at 7:15 p.m.