By Abby Doperak · JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Tennessee Ice Vols travel to Jacksonville this weekend to face the Florida Gators in their final series of the semester. In…
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Tennessee Ice Vols travel to Jacksonville this weekend to face the Florida Gators in their final series of the semester.
In a recent matchup against Fairfield University, Tennessee struggled to meet expectations on the ice. Contributed to overall sloppy fundamentals, the Ice Vols lost the series 3-2 and 7-4.
After weeks of adjustments, the team’s roster is nearly back to full strength as several injured players return for the final games of the semester. However, when one challenge ends, another appears.
One of Tennessee’s biggest challenges this weekend will be playing immediately after a long travel day.
“We’ve been trying to get everyone moving before the game,” forward Micthell Spranklin said. “We’ve had a big issue coming out flat-footed. Getting focused on the game needs to be super important.”
Florida’s most recent matchups were also last weekend, when they swept Ole Miss 10-3 and 6-4. Florida holds a 6-5 record, while the Ice Vols sit at 6-7.
Before their second game against Fairfield, the Ice Vols struggled to score before the third period. While they began to improve last weekend, they will need to continue finding the back of the net earlier in the game if they want to return to winning form.
“We have struggled this year in the first period,” forward Matt Pavek said. “Biggest thing is not getting frustrated and keeping our heads in the right space.”
Tennessee faces Florida on Nov. 21 at 7:15 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. in Jacksonville, Florida, for their last series of the semester. Fans can stream the game on the Orange and Blue Sports Network on Youtube or follow along on X at @tennesseehockey.