With another week of hockey in our rearview mirror, three notable players showcased their offensive prowess and led their teams to victory this weekend.
1st Star: (RW) Brendan Sullivan - Austin Peay State University (D3): 4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points in 2 games
The Austin Peay State Governors opened their 2024-25 season slate with a weekend series against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, whom the Governors beat, 6-2 and 9-2. Sullivan asserted himself as a force to be reckoned with, leading Austin Peay’s offense this weekend with seven points (4G, 3A) across the two contests.
“Glad to hear that,” the Governors’ head coach Kane Eastwood said when he heard the news. “He definitely earned it.”
Sullivan attributes his success this weekend to the team’s support system, saying “The fans are always a huge factor for me. It gives the game much more excitement and I feel more confident with fans supporting the team. I really appreciate everyone for coming out to watch us this past weekend.”
Brendan also disclosed that his team is highly motivated by the prospect of “making a statement.” In its inaugural season, the Governors “still (have) to earn respect within the league and with the school.”
“With the season ahead, I am confident we will be able to do that,” Sullivan said.
2nd Star: (C) John Riggins - University of South Carolina (D1): 4 goals, 1 assist, 5 points in 2 games
The South Carolina Gamecocks improved to 5-0 this weekend, sweeping the University of Alabama Frozen Tide 8-1 and 9-1. Riggins spearheaded the Gamecock’s victories with four goals and an assist, taking his place as South Carolina’s leading point scorer thus far in conference games.
“For me the biggest factors in my play this weekend were my teammates,” Riggins told College Hockey South. “We have really gelled over the last few weeks. Playing the game and producing is a lot easier when everyone is firing on all cylinders and connecting.”
Riggins’ team can think of no greater motivator than to be better than themselves. For South Carolina — the reigning AAU D1 National Champions — this means winning back-to-back national championships.
“We got a taste of what it was like to win it all last year and with this year's group that has a lot of returners from that National Championship team, we are hungry to do it again.”
3rd Star: (RW) Will Marshall - Florida Southern College (D2): 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points in 2 games
Despite splitting their opening weekend series against Embry Riddle, posting a 5-1 win and a 9-2 loss, the Florida Southern Moccasins seem to have a gem on their roster in right-winger Will Marshall. Marshall collected five points this weekend, three goals — two of which he scored shorthanded — and two assists to propel his team to a 5-1 victory last Friday.
Marshall commented on the game’s atmosphere as a factor that assisted his performance: “Being our first game of the season and home opening game, this weekend me and my teammates were all very excited to play. Both games had lots of fans so that’s always fun. But just overall, the energy was so high in both games."
Will is confident the Mocs will continue to succeed this season, as they “obviously have something to prove” and “are all very motivated to ensure we leave the right impression” in their first season as a Division 2 program.
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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