By Abby Doperak · JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tennessee splits their final series of the semester against the Florida Gators. The Ice Vols fell 6-4 on Friday, Nov. 21, but bo…
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tennessee splits their final series of the semester against the Florida Gators.
The Ice Vols fell 6-4 on Friday, Nov. 21, but bounced back Sunday, Nov. 23, with an 11-2 win.
Tennessee entered Friday’s matchup hungry for a win. Just two minutes into the first period, forward Dylan Updike scored to give the Ice Vols an early lead. Florida winger Kegan Lampinen responded four minutes later to tie the game at 1. The Ice Vols took up substantial space on the ice while excelling in keeping the puck in motion, leading forward Jake Premo to score, giving Tennessee a 2-1 lead going into the second period.
Starting the second period on a penalty kill, Tennessee surrendered their lead when Gator defenseman Cormac Terry scored to tie the game at 2. Five minutes later, Florida winger Micheal McCoy scored an additional goal for a score of 3-2.
At the 11-minute mark, Florida forward Brian Pine extended the lead, and Tennessee defenseman Finn DeStefano quickly responded to make it 4-3.
Early in the third, captain Connor Frazer connected with the back of the net to tie the game at 4. Several penalties proved costly, allowing Florida to add two more goals and hand Tennessee a 6-4 loss.
Sunday’s matchup, however, brought entirely different results for Tennessee.
The opening period carried plenty of emotion from Friday night’s game. Alternate captain Kyle Stober scored with six minutes left in the period, but the Gators responded with goals from Nicholas Ho and Michael Katz, giving the Gators a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Five minutes into the second period, Tennessee forward Will Schnieder tied the game at 2. DeStefano followed shortly after, giving Tennessee a 3-2 lead.
Intensity ramped up as a loud, passionate crowd fueled physical play on the ice. Power plays and penalty kills dominated the period as emotions rose for players and fans alike.
“We don’t listen to fans,” forward Kyle Oakley said. “It’s as simple as just playing our game and sticking to it.”
Tennessee’s shift in attitude showed entering the third period. Playing loose and energized, the Ice Vols erupted for eight goals in the final frame.
“We usually don’t score 10 goals,” Stober said. “We finally found fun in hockey and in winning again.”
Mitchell Spranklin, Matthew Pavek, and Frazer each scored once, Oakley and Tyler Iles each scored twice, and Stober recorded two goals for Tennessee’s first hat trick of the season. The Ice Vols shut out Florida in the third period to secure the 11-2 win.
“We are really getting the team closer together,” Oakley said. “This trip was a big morale booster.”
Despite splitting the weekend, Tennessee outshot Florida 103-55, displaying their ability to capitalize on offensive opportunities.
The weekend also marked the final series of the semester – and the final game as an Ice Vol – for defenseman Chris Kelly. After making a surprise midseason return, Kelly will graduate in December.
“I’m happy with how it ended,” Kelly said. “It was a fun game, going out with a bang.”
Tennessee will return to the ice Jan. 16 in Savannah, Georgia, where they will play to defend their title in the Savannah Classic tournament.