Tigers defeat UCF Knights in regular season debut

Image via Justin Peart, Auburn Hockey

DAYTONA, Fl. – Behind two goals from forward Chuck Bay and 20 saves by goaltender Camden Denk, Auburn hockey (1-0, 0-0 SECHC) claimed victory in its first Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference game of the season, defeating the UCF Knights 6-1 in the Daytona Ice Arena.

Bay produced Auburn’s first regular season goal since 2019 on a breakaway, after blocking a UCF shot at the Auburn blue line. Bay added an insurance marker in the second period, putting the Tigers up 3-1.

Goalie Camden “Cam” Denk stopped 20 of 21 shots, good for a .952 save percentage and 1.00 GAA. Denk had not started a Collegiate Hockey Federation game entering the season; his backup, Christopher Clement, has one start for the Tigers in his career, coming in the ACHA’s Division III league.

After Bay’s opening goal to make it a 1-0 Auburn lead, the Knights fought back with a power play tally by sophomore Max Weinstein. Later, captain Blake Robison found the back of the net for the eventual game-winning goal, making it 2-1 exiting the first period.

In the second period, Bay scored his second goal of the night to put Auburn up 3-1. Another goal from left winger James Hitt made it a 4-1 Tigers lead. The third period saw goals from assistant captain Brandon Weis and forward Samuel Edwards to finish the night with a 6-1 Auburn win.

QUICK HITS

• Defender and assistant captain Ryan Scott earned an assist on Weis’s third period goal for his first point of the year

• This was Auburn’s first victory in Collegiate Hockey Federation Division II play since making the transition to the league from the ACHA’s Division III in 2020

• Camden Denk posted a .952 save percentage in his CHF and Auburn Hockey debut

UP NEXT

The Tigers have a short turnaround, facing ERAU on Saturday, October 16 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Video streaming of the game will be available via the ERAU Hockey YouTube Channel.