Seventeen weeks of hockey have passed, with six tournaments under our belt, including two conference playoffs, spanning three states. However, two playoff spots are still up for grabs! Three teams are vying for a chance, and two of them will face off this weekend in what essentially serves as a play-in series.
Game of the Week: Vanderbilt @ Georgia Tech
As the Division 2 playoffs approach, Vanderbilt currently holds the fourth seed in the North Division with nine points. Ole Miss is third with 10 points, while Georgia Tech sits in fifth with seven points. Ole Miss wrapped up its regular season last week after securing a two-point weekend against Middle Tennessee State. Now, the Rebels must sit back and watch this weekend's games unfold.
For Ole Miss to be eliminated, Georgia Tech would need to win both games in overtime. If either team wins in regulation or if Georgia Tech loses in any form, Ole Miss will secure a playoff spot.
For Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech, the path to the playoffs is clear: win this weekend, and they’re in. Georgia Tech must take both games to advance, while Vanderbilt only needs to earn two points to secure its spot.
This weekend marks the first meeting between the two teams this season. Both squads have been struggling lately: Georgia Tech has lost seven straight, with their last win coming two weekends before Thanksgiving, while Vanderbilt has won just once in its last seven games. Still, one of them will make it to the playoffs, no matter how they get there.
Georgia Tech’s hopes have largely rested on the shoulders of captain and goalie Brandon Germano. Despite facing a high volume of shots—nearly 48 per game—Germano has been outstanding, stopping over 90 percent of them. His stellar performance has been the primary reason Georgia Tech is still in playoff contention.
The games will take place at The Cooler in Alpharetta, GA, on Friday at 10:30 p.m. EST and Saturday at 6:00 p.m. EST.
Florida Atlantic (D2) @ Florida (D1)
Florida Atlantic has a chance to get revenge on Florida as the Owls travel to Jacksonville to face the Gators. This marks the first meeting between the two teams since Florida defeated Florida Atlantic 8-4 in the 2024 Division 2 AAU National Championship Game.
The game was a wild ride, with both teams going on offensive spurts. Florida started strong, scoring three goals in under three minutes to take an early lead in the first period. After extending the lead to 5-1 halfway through the game, Florida Atlantic fought back, netting two goals before the second period ended. They then pulled within one after a power-play goal with 10:02 remaining in the third.
Just when it looked like FAU might pull off a stunning comeback, Florida regained control. Michael Katz completed his hat trick, adding another goal to extend the Gators’ lead to 8-4, clinching the national title.
Since that game, Florida has moved to Division 1, where they’ve qualified for the AAU Nationals. The Gators have had a challenging first season in College Hockey South’s top division, though Michael Katz has continued to shine as their leading scorer.
Meanwhile, Florida Atlantic stayed in Division 2, dominating with a well-rounded offense. The Owls have qualified for the College Hockey South Division 2 playoffs and the AAU Nationals, where they’re expected to be one of the top contenders.
The games will take place at the Community First Igloo in Jacksonville, FL, the venue for the 2025 AAU Nationals. Puck drop will be at 9:15 p.m. EST on Friday and 10:15 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Alabama-Huntsville (D2) @ Alabama (D1)
Just days after finishing fifth in the Division 1 playoffs with a 1-1 record, the Alabama Frozen Tide will host Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) in Pelham, AL. The two teams have already met three times this season, with Alabama dominating all three matchups, outscoring the Chargers 18-1.
This series against UAH will be Alabama’s final games before heading to Jacksonville, FL, for the Division 1 AAU Nationals. The Frozen Tide had a solid performance at the 2024 AAU Nationals, finishing 2-1 in group play but falling short of advancing to the playoffs. One of their victories included an upset over the defending national champion, Binghamton University.
On the other hand, Alabama-Huntsville has had a rough season, failing to qualify for both the Division 2 playoffs and the AAU Nationals. The Chargers endured a 16-game losing streak to start the season before securing a win against Austin Peay State last weekend. UAH has struggled offensively and defensively, allowing over seven goals per game while only scoring once per game.
The games will take place at the Pelham Civic Complex in Pelham, AL. Game one is on Friday at 6:45 p.m. CST, and game two will be on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. CST.
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 30-school, 50-team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states that competes in AAU College Hockey. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.
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