From MTSU Sidelines
By Ephraim Rodenbach
No.1-seeded Middle Tennessee club hockey (20-6, 19-2 ACHA) fell short of repeating as College Hockey South champions after a 5-2 loss to No.5-seeded University of Tampa (21-6, 21-6 ACHA) in the semifinals on Saturday.
“I know our boys, they’ll bounce back,” head coach JJ Murray said. “We faced a little adversity throughout the year, but nothing like we faced this weekend.”
The Blue Raiders opened the scoring in the semifinal matchup, as forward Kieran Ogle slid a puck across the crease to forward Brendan Ogle to light the lamp for MTSU. The Spartans scored on the ensuing possession, adding another goal later in the period. Both offenses scored in the second period, setting up the turning point in the contest.
The Blue Raiders trailed 3-2 with under four minutes remaining in regulation.
Tampa winger Tyler Hoffberg snuck behind the defense, streaking down the left side of the ice on a breakaway. Hoffberg slipped a shot over the left pad of MTSU goaltender Grant Williams to give the Spartans a two-goal lead. Middle Tennessee couldn’t recover after an empty-net goal sealed the deal, sending Tampa to the championship bout.
The elimination from the tournament was a stark contrast to MTSU’s dominant 9-0 victory over the University of Central Florida in the quarterfinals.
“It sucks not going back-to-back, but that’s one of the hardest things to do in sports,” Murray said. “Everyone wants to beat you. You’ve got that target on your back.”
Despite the early exit of the CHS tournament, the Blue Raiders still clinched a spot in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division III National Tournament on March 18 in St. Louis.
Seeding for the national tournament will be announced in the coming weeks, following the conclusion of conference tournaments nationwide. Despite the loss, a strong regular season guarantees a spot to compete for the national title.
“Being humbled and getting back to that underdog mentality is going to be what it takes to win a national championship,” Murray said.
Middle Tennessee returns to the ice on Wednesday to take on the Vanderbilt University Commodores in the “Battle at the Stone” in an exhibition matchup. Opening puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT in Nashville, Tennessee.
To end the season with a win at Bridgestone can give MTSU a huge boost heading into the national tournament, Murray said.
Initially scheduled for Jan. 25, the “Battle of Nashville” between the Blue Raiders and Commodores was postponed due to inclement weather.
(Originally published at https://mtsusidelines.com/2026/03/01/mtsu-club-hockey-falls-short-of-championship-game-in-college-hockey-south-tournament/)
