Under the bright lights of Bridgestone Arena, Middle Tennessee club hockey (20-6, 19-2 ACHA) will take on Vanderbilt University (4-16, 3-11 ACHA) in the third installment of the “Battle of Nashville” in 2025.
The “Battle at the Stone” comes on the heels of a 5-2 semifinal loss in the College Hockey South tournament to the University of Tampa for the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee secured a bye and the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, but fell short of repeating as CHS champions.
On the other side of the bracket, Vanderbilt entered postseason play as the No.11 seed. The Commodores matched up with No.6-seeded Clemson University in the play-in. VU fell 5-3 and lost 6-2 in the 11th place game against Embry-Riddle University.
With both teams reeling from early tournament losses, the exhibition contest provides a final game in front of the home crowd.
“Having that opportunity and being able to play in front of that many fans is going to be very, very fun for our boys,” MTSU head coach JJ Murray said.
Middle Tennessee will renew the Battle of Nashville with Vanderbilt for the third time this season at Bridgestone Arena, with the Blue Raiders entering the matchup 2-0 against the Commodores.
“I think probably 80% of our roster is from Tennessee,” MTSU head coach JJ Murray said. “So, they’re all diehard Preds fans, so for a chance for them to be able to play at Bridgestone, the Preds home rink, they’re super excited.”
The NHL stage adds a layer of intensity and expectations to a blooming rivalry in The Battle of Nashville. Both teams received 2,500 tickets to sell to fans, creating an electric environment compared to the smaller Ford Ice Center.
While the matchup’s venue adds excitement, the outcome will be decided by physicality on both ends of the ice and protecting the crease.
The last series between the Blue Raiders and Commodores centered around physicality and discipline. In the two-game series, 25 penalties were called, resulting in one power-play goal each. Staying out of the penalty box has been a struggle for both teams this season. MTSU averages 12.1 penalty minutes per game compared to VU’s 12.2.
“We can’t create bad habits in those games,” MTSU goaltender Grant Williams said. “I think that’s the main message. Because you can really get lenient and make stupid passes.”
Discipline alone will not secure a victory. Middle Tennessee needs to revert to earlier defensive success to shut down a gritty Commodores offense. In each game against Vanderbilt, the Blue Raiders allowed over 30 shots on goal. Plugging gaps in the slot to limit close shooting lanes will have to be a focus for Murray’s defensive group.
“At the beginning of the year,” Murray said. “I talked about our team identity as a hard, gritty defensive team.”
MTSU needs to maintain defensive intensity throughout an important rivalry game with the Commodores before the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division III National Tournament. The midweek matchup serves as a tune-up before Murray’s squad begins its quest for a national championship.
“It’s just getting back on the right foot, ending the season with a win and then running into nationals,” Murray said.
After two postponements, the highly anticipated puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Music City.
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