The Ice Dawgs hosted a weekend series against the University of Texas Longhorns this week at Akins Ford Arena. Game one was held on Friday, Nov. 14 and game two of the series took place Sunday, Nov. 16. 

Game One:

The start to game play on Friday was slow with no goals in the first period. Despite the low score, Georgia commanded the game, maintaining possession for longer than the Longhorns and creating more opportunities. The Ice Dawgs ended the period with 10 shots on goal, opposing Texas’ 4. 

The second period continued the slow pace of the first as the teams continued to feel each other out. Georgia was able to put a goal in in the first few minutes of the period when the puck was tapped into the back of the net with a wrist shot by No. 77 Charlie Kerrigan off of an assist from No. 15 Dylan Punzenberger. 

The rest of the period saw a back and forth between the two teams, with similar momentum on both sides of the ice. Both teams ended the period with 10 shots on goal each.

With another slow start to the third period, the Ice Dawgs eventually amped up their energy after seven minutes of play when No. 16 Spencer Watson slipped the puck around the goalie off of a rebound. 

The last five minutes of the game were electric with the Ice Dawgs putting in three goals. After the first Georgia goal, Texas’ No. 11 Charlie Drage put in a goal of his own. The Longhorns attempted to come back and win the game by forcing a power play with no goalie in the game. This allowed for the Ice Dawgs to get their fourth goal on a shot from No. 13 Ryan Bailey in the neutral zone on the open goal. Georgia wrapped the game with their fifth goal off of a rebound and ended the game 5-1. Goalie No. 40 Isaac Haugen played an impressive game, blocking over 94% of all shots taken by the Longhorns allowing the Ice Dawgs to stay on top. 

Game Two:

Georgia continued with high energy at the start of game two on Sunday. 10 minutes into the game, Kerrigan put in his second goal of the weekend, putting the Ice Dawgs ahead. No. 29 Declan Conway scored the second of the night after faking out the goalie on a 1v1. 

The rest of the period was close with both teams’ defenses holding each other back. Texas scored at the end of the period with a shot from No. 8 Donte Pierre. 

In the second period, the Ice Dawgs kept their lead starting with a goal from No. 5 Brandon Ng. This marks Ng’s first goal of the season. The Longhorns fought back hard, scoring less than a minute later.

The period ended with Georgia in the lead 4-2 after a goal from Bailey. 

During the final period, tensions were high for both teams with multiple fights breaking out on the ice. It was clear Texas wanted to come back and win the game but the Ice Dawgs were able to hold them off, solidifying their victory with a final goal from No. 27 Truman Haugen. Haugen’s goal was shot several meters away from the goal, making it unexpected and unstoppable for Texas’ goalie.

The Ice Dawgs ended the game 6-2, sweeping the series. 

Next week the Ice Dawgs play Virginia Tech at Truist Field Ballpark on Nov. 21.