By Abby Doperak · KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Ice Vols took down another previously undefeated team as they split a two-game series with the Miami RedHawks. Tenne…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Ice Vols took down another previously undefeated team as they split a two-game series with the Miami RedHawks.
Tennessee returned home to face Miami University of Ohio after sweeping previously undefeated South Carolina in its most recent series. Miami also traveled to Knoxville without a loss, but the RedHawks’ undefeated record would not last.
Tennessee secured a series split with a 3-0 shutout victory Thursday and a 6-5 overtime loss Friday.
Thursday night’s game began later than usual, with Tennessee taking the ice at 10:30 p.m. following the Knoxville Ice Bears’ game. The first period featured a slow start, with minimal action from either team.
Ice Vol Grant O’Connor broke the scoreless tie with help from William Hurlburt and Tyler Iles, finding the back of the net to give Tennessee a 1-0 lead. The goal marked O’Connor’s first as an Ice Vol.
The second period brought more action, with a power play and penalties for both teams. Jacob Kulas, a familiar name on the scoresheet for Tennessee, extended the lead with another goal to make it 2-0.
The third period brought another goal for Tennessee, this time from Matt Pavek, who received an assist from Dylan Updike to seal the 3-0 victory.
Goaltender and captain Patrick Green held strong in the net throughout the game, securing his second shutout at home of the season.
“It felt great,” Green said. “It honestly wasn’t too stressful of a shutout. The team played great in front of me and overall was just a great team win.”
The shutout marked the second consecutive series in which the Ice Vols handed an undefeated team its first loss of the season.
“We were confident going in,” Green said. “We had a great team practice this week. Knowing that Miami was coming in undefeated, we came at it with the same mindset as we did against South Carolina. We took it to them and we got the win.”
Riding the momentum from Thursday’s victory, Tennessee took the ice Friday to celebrate the organization’s 60 th anniversary. The game began with a ceremonial puck drop by former Ice Vols Walter Knight (1967) and Donnie Brown (1971-73).
“It was awesome,” Green said. “Seeing Walter and Donnie do the puck drop, it really is amazing to see how far we’ve come. It is special that the alumni are really excited about what we’ve been doing and how we are moving forward.”
With a crowd full of Tennessee Hockey alumni and fans, the game picked up speed quickly. Tyler Iles scored the game’s first goal to give Tennessee a 1-0 lead. Will Schneider quickly followed with a goal of his own to extend the lead to 2-0.
Miami responded with a goal of its own, its first of the game and series, cutting Tennessee’s lead to 2-1.
The second period opened with more quick action from Iles, who scored his second goal of the game just four minutes in to give Tennessee a 3-1 lead. Four minutes later, Miami answered with another goal to cut the deficit to 3-2.
With just three minutes remaining in the period, Miami took its first lead of the game at 4-3 after scoring twice in a span of 35 seconds.
Already trailing, Tennessee saw the RedHawks extend their lead to 5-3 just 20 seconds into the third period.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, O’Connor scored his second goal of the series, followed by another goal from Schneider. Still trailing by one, Tennessee found the equalizer when Mitchell Spranklin scored with just nine seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime tied at 5-5.
The crowd brought the energy as the teams entered a five-minute, 3-on-3 overtime period. After trading scoring chances, Miami capitalized first, securing the 6-5 victory.
“We were down too late,” Green said. “We battled back and scored the tying goal with nine seconds left, but unfortunately couldn’t come out with the win in overtime. But it was great to see us face a little adversity and almost come out with the win.”
The Ice Vols will look to put Friday’s loss behind them as they turn their attention to next week’s matchup.
“Florida and Tennessee have some great history,” Green said. “We’ve had some great battles over the last couple of years. It should be a highly competitive week at practice with getting everything dialed in for these upcoming games.”
The Ice Vols will remain in Knoxville for next week’s matchups against the Florida Gators. The teams will meet Thursday at the Knoxville Coliseum and Friday at Cool Sports Icearium.