The University of South Florida Hockey Club began their 2021-2022 season off by heading up to Georgia to play against the University of Georgia Bulldogs on Friday, September 17 and the Georgia Institute of Technology Yellow Jackets on Saturday, September 18. The Bulls’ first game didn’t go the way they wanted it to, but they turned their second game around and brought home a win from their two-game weekend.

Athens, GA - With the Bulls’ first game of the season against University of Georgia, there was a lot to look forward to from the new team. 

Start of the first period was slow with no scoring, and penalties from both USF and Georgia. The Bulldogs started off strong moving their offense around and received a goal off of a rebound shot from #10 Lleyton Poole. The Bulldogs were able to get a puck to the back of the net from a quick pass from #19 Sam Adler through the middle to #2 David Eberly. The Bulls answered back with a 5-on-3 power play goal from #28 Alexander Rhoads just getting it past the right skate of #32 Brady Mulligan.

With just under 7 minutes left in the second, #32 Mulligan was called for a delay of game. This caused some commotion on the ice, and some roughing penalties to be called. Georgia was able to close out the game with a goal from #17 Matthew Bigda in the third period, with a final score of 3-1 Georgia. 
The Bulls’ offense was looking to make some good plays and USF Goalie #31 Matthew Richard had some incredible saves, but Georgia’s defense was cutting them off, UGA's Goalie #32 Mulligan was refusing to let in any more goals, and USF just fell short for their first game this season. 

Atlanta, GA - The Bulls’ second game of the weekend against Georgia Tech was a needed win before making to trip back home to Tampa.

Same as the previous night, the first period was off to a slow start minus two penalties from USF for boarding, and two from Georgia Tech for tripping and cross checking. The Bulls started off strong in the second period and broke the scoreless board with a power play goal from #11 Kevin Holman. #14 Jackson McVay was called for elbowing, and the Yellow Jackets took the opportunity to tie it up with a power play goal from #9 Aidan Hammond. 

#18 Joseph Temoyan scored, helping keep the lead for the Bulls. Georgia Tech was able to tie it up off of #17 Ivan Bronnikov’s penalty for interference in the second period. Just as the clock was winding down, the Yellow Jackets were able to come ahead of the Bulls for the first time this game, making it 3-2. Four minutes into the third, Georgia Tech’s #10 Brandon Holt was called for a 5-minute major for head contact, and the Bulls took the opportunity to take that extra step and bring the score up 4-3 from #22 Kenneth Weightman and #28 Alexander Rhoads. USF Goalie #33 Sean Jenal was able to close out the period and helped lead the Bulls to their first win of the season.

The Bulls will be hosting their game opener against the University of Central Florida’s Golden Knights this Friday, September 24th at 6:00 p.m. at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, FL. They’ll be heading to Orlando on Saturday, September 25 for their game at 4:00 p.m. against the Golden Knights on their home ice. 

Written by Kayla Deegan (Twitter & Instagram).