Schedule Intact, Tech in Search of #10, Look to Make Rankers Believe

GT Coach Brian McSparron has yet to experience the pressure of a D-III South Regional tournament, especially in its current one-&-done format. During his four years as head coach and since the advent of ACHA Regional Tournaments in 2008-09, McSparron has guided the Yellow Jackets to a 66- 37 record but no Regional appearances. Included during that time was a #2 rank his rookie year and thus a Regional bye to the National Tournament. But that stellar team effort was followed by a miserable #43 rank, and two back-to-back 16 win seasons garnered only the #12 and #13 spots.

McSparron & Team are anxious to prove they belong back in the Top-10. With South Select teammates Ryan Fritz and CJ Layer available both semesters this season, and with a full complement from last year's roster, that Team is in serious search of a Regional berth.

With a tournament invitation in mind, the Georgia Tech Hockey Club begins their 2012-13 schedule Sunday, Sep 16 against Auburn University at the Civic Rink in Columbus GA. The game will be the start of five of six games against SEC opponents to open the season, including Tech's home opener Fri, Sep 21, a rematch against Auburn.

The Yellow Jackets finished last season 8-4 versus SEC teams and look to continue the trend, scheduling 13 games with the rival conference. Game dates include three with Georgia; Dec 30 at home, in Savannah Jan 19, 2013 and in Duluth Feb 2. Single games on tap will challenge last season's #3 Alabama, #6 Florida, #8 Mississippi, #10 Vanderbilt, and #12 South Carolina. Georgia Tech held the #13 rank at the end of last season.

The Alabama game will be played Nov 5 in Huntsville AL as a fundraiser for the US Army Wounded Warrior program. Mississippi will be in Columbus GA Nov 17 to play Tech, the two-time defending tournament champion, as part of the 3rd Columbus Clash. Tennessee will be a 5th year guest at GT's 8th Annual Lt. Tyler Brown Benefit on Nov 10.

Tyler Brown Benefit

GT continues its battle through the first semester against ACC rivals Clemson, Maryland, and North Carolina State, and, in a Thursday night match-up Oct 25 at the Ice Forum at Town Center, they go to war with crosstown rival Kennesaw State.

The spring semester will find the team at home in the Atlanta area, top- loaded with games against hi-powered #2 Central Florida, #4 South Florida, #12 South Carolina, plus traditional rivals #15 UGA and Florida State. All Tech home games are played at the ICE in Cumming, GA.

The ICE