The University Recreation Ice Hockey Club competed in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SECHC) playoffs last weekend. The club defeated the University of Alabama Crimson Tide 8-0 in the championship game to capture its third Army Strong Championship Cup. The SECHC is a part of the Division III American Collegiate Hockey Association.

The “Ice Hogs” (27-9-1) controlled the action from the beginning and led
4-0 at the first intermission. Ryan Machos and Tucker Campbell scored two goals each to pace the Hogs, who got single markers from Forest Mudgett, Justin McDowell, Connor Crumblish, and Garth Derry. Sophomore goalie Kevin Scheer earned the fourteen save shutout and tournament MVP.  

First-period goals came from Tucker Campbell, Martin Sundstedt, Forest Mudgett and Jansen Polk. Sundstedt, who scored on a power play, also assisted on Mudgett's power-play goal. In the second period, the Razorbacks added a power-play goal by Justin McDowell and a goal by Trent Ritchie. The third period brought two power-play goals by Garth Derry.

Ryan Machos scored a pair of goals during the Arkansas-Alabama matchup while Forest Mudgett, Justin McDowell, Connor Crumblish, Garth Derry, and Tucker Campbell also found the back of the net.

“It felt good to beat Alabama after last weekend,” said senior Trent Ritchie. “It felt like the team was clicking on every level.”

Arkansas avenged last week’s 4-3 loss to Alabama that knocked the Razorbacks out of national tournament contention. Last week Alabama qualified for the American College Hockey Association Division III national championship, March 12-16 in Springfield, Mo., by beating Arkansas and South Carolina in Irmo, S.C.

Sunday’s win also earned four Razorbacks SECHC honors. Johnny Stromp, Easton Oliver, Kevin Scheer, and Martin Sundstedt were recognized with All-Conference honors while Martin Sundstedt also earned MPV of the conference.

“Sunday, for us, was about redemption and I think the better hockey team won,” said Brian Gallini, head coach. “I think last week the better hockey team didn't win, and we had something to prove coming into this weekend. And we feel like the score proved it.”

Sunday’s championship victory was the team’s third victory over the Crimson Tide this season. It was the teams 27th win overall, and their third playoff conference championship. No other SECHC team has earned three conference titles.

The Ice Hockey Club is one of 31 active University of Arkansas club sports teams operated by the department of University Recreation. The club sports program provides opportunities for individuals who share a common interest in a specific sport. Club sports are regulated by program and university policy but retain the characteristic of self-administration and self-regulation through student officers who run the club.

For questions regarding the Ice Hockey Club or Club Sports in general, please contact Shannon Dere at 575-6736 or sdere@uark.edu.