Athens, Georgia—The University of Georgia Ice Dawgs are gearing up to compete in the Publix Savannah Hockey Classic over the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
The Ice Dawgs are currently ranked first in the AAU College Hockey Division I national rankings.
This year’s Publix Savannah Hockey Classic is taking place on January 17th and 18th at Enmarket Arena, located in downtown Savannah, Georgia.
The four teams competing include the University of Georgia, University of Florida, University of Tennessee and Georgia Institute of Technology.
Friday, January 17, 2025
6:00 PM ET – University of Florida vs. University of Tennessee
8:00 PM ET – University of Georgia vs. Georgia Institute of Technology
Saturday, January 18, 2025
5:30 PM ET – Third Place Game (two losers from Friday night)
8:30 PM ET – Championship Game (two winners from Friday night)
The winner of the Savannah Hockey Classic will be awarded the Ghost Pirates Cup.
Special Edition Jersey Auction
During both of the games at the Savannah tournament, the Ice Dawgs will hold a jersey auction allowing fans to bid on game-worn special edition jerseys. Proceeds will go to help support the Ice Dawgs season and post-season play.
Visiting Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willet Children’s Hospital
The Ice Dawgs will be continuing their tradition of visiting the brave children and their families at the Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah on Friday morning at 10 a.m.
From well-being visits to neurosurgery, the hospital offers the most comprehensive children’s healthcare in the region.
History of the Savannah Hockey Classic
The first “Rumble in the Rink” or Memorial Health Hockey Classic took place on January 8-9, 1999, at the Savannah Civic Center. The four original teams included the University of Georgia, University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Tennessee. Georgia Tech claimed the inaugural Thrasher Cup, which is now known as the Ghost Pirates Cup.
In 2000, Florida State University joined the tournament, taking the place of the University of Tennessee. However, Tennessee retuned to the tournament in 2024.
Over the past 25 years, the University of Georgia Ice Dawgs have been victorious at the Savannah Hockey Classic 10 times, with their most recent victory coming last year over the University of Florida.