Despite an 8-11 start to the season, the Alabama club hockey program remains positive going into the second half of the schedule.

The Frozen Tide currently has the toughest schedule its ever faced, due to fact that Alabama recently joined the Division 1 ranks of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, which is the highest level of collegiate club hockey in the country. The program had been a D3 member of the ACHA since the team’s inception in 2005, but decided to move up to D1 in 2015.

“We have played the toughest schedule that we’ve ever played,” coach Kyle Richards said. “Underperforming has a little bit due to the increased competition, but we have the team to play against those top teams each and every night. We’re not overly happy with our first half of the season, but we’re in a decent spot.”

In order to make the playoffs, Alabama must finish within the top 17 teams in order to go to Dallas and participate in the national tournament. The Frozen Tide currently sits ranked in the 22nd spot.

“We’re excited,” senior forward Thomas Godfrey said. “We have a lot of talent on the team, and we’re expecting a big second half, and I think we’re gearing up to go to nationals. I think if we can really string together some consistency, and just play our style this second half I think we’re going to be in great shape and be on our way to Dallas.”

The road to Dallas won’t be easy, but Alabama is confident in its ability to do so. The Frozen Tide still has 12 games remaining on its schedule, with some tough matchups against the likes of No. 6 Liberty and No. 13 Missouri State. If Alabama can pull off some big wins, it will be a contender for the D1 national tournament for the first time in program history.

“We’re very prepared to make it to Dallas,” fifth-year senior left wing Jack Rooney said. “Our work is cut out for us, and our tough schedule is definitely going to continue. A lot of road games, a lot of good teams. We’re prepared for it.”

While the move to D1 has been tough, it has also had some benefits. The Frozen Tide has been able to recruit athletes at a much higher level than prior to the move, pulling players from all around the country, and even some from overseas.

“We’ve come so far,” Rooney said. “The amount of good players we’ve brought in because of that move to D1, we’ve got guys coming in from all over the country, and even international, so the program has program has developed immensely.”

Alabama opened up the second half of the season this past weekend with a double-header against Pennsylvania University of Indiana. The Frozen Tide won both games, with scores of 4-2 and 1-0. Alabama’s overall record is now 10-11.

The team will travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas on Friday for a double-header against Arkansas, the only other SEC team in the ACHA.