Vanderbilt traveled to Cincinnati on Friday for a weekend series against ACHA North #13 Xavier. Facing a team unbeaten at home and a 13-3 record overall, proved a bit overwhelming for the Dores as they dropped both games.
Xavier jumped out to an early 1-0 lead just ten seconds into the game Friday night, but Vandy tied it up with a little over seven minutes left in the first period. The Musketeers scored two in the second to go up 3-1. The teams exchanged goals in the third before Xavier added their last two. Vandy would score again in the final minute to bring the score 6-3 in Xavier’s favor.
The Musketeers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead Saturday afternoon in the series finale. Vandy scored on a wraparound goal and that is how the first period would end. The second period was one that Vanderbilt Ice Hockey Twitter account simply called “brutal”. Xavier would put seven on the board during the period while Vandy only scored one. The Dores came out and put up two goals in the third but the Musketeers would answer with two more of their own.
Penalties proved problematic for Vanderbilt again in this series. The Dores had 28 penalty minutes and the Musketeers took advantage and scored five power play goals.
Sophomore goalie Riley MacDonald had a daunting task in his debut for the Dores. MacDonald was peppered with 46 shots on goal Friday night and 53 on Saturday afternoon. He finished with a .828 save percentage and an 8.50 goals against average.
The Dores were led by freshman forward John Longman who extended his point streak to six games. Longman had two goals and one assist on Friday and two goals and two assists on Saturday. Junior forward Daniel Hogue had one goal and four assists on the weekend. Sophomore Jack “Gibby” Gibbons had a goal and two assists for the series. Freshman Stephen Wei posted a goal to the score sheet as well.
Vanderbilt will recognize their seniors and play their final home stand of the season this weekend. Come out to A-Game Sportsplex and watch the Commodores as they host Memphis. The teams will take the ice at 8:30 pm CST on Friday and 2 pm on Saturday.
Around the SECHC
South Carolina won two of three against non-conference foes. The Gamecocks beat The Citadel 11-2 on Thursday and then split a series with UNC-Wilmington. USC lost 3-2 on Friday and then beat the Seahawks 8-5 on Saturday.
Alabama kept their undefeated streak against in-state rivals Auburn and took home the Iron Cup for the fourth year in a row. The Frozen Tide beat the Tigers 9-1 on Friday, 3-0 on Saturday, and 13-1 on Sunday.
Florida won the Savannah Hockey Classic with wins over Georgia and Florida State. The Gators defeated the Dawgs 14-1 on Friday and the Seminoles 13-2 on Saturday.
Arkansas improved to 20-5 on the season with wins over Dordt College. The Razorbacks shutout the Blades 8-0 on Friday and only allowed one goal on Saturday, winning 10-1.
Ole Miss won their series against in-state and SECHC West rivals, Mississippi State. The Rebels routed the Bulldogs 16-0 in both Friday’s and Saturday’s games.
Tennessee won one of three this weekend. They lost to UNC-Charlotte on Friday 8-1, rebounded for an 8-5 win against Elon on Saturday and then lost to NC State 7-1 on Sunday.
