Missouri State Hockey Ice Bears Eye ACHA National Tournament Run
The postseason is here for Missouri State Ice Bears, and it’s a big one. The Ice Bears are headed to the ACHA Division 1 National Tournament in St. Louis as one of the top 24 teams in the country. Ranked 17th nationally, Missouri State enters the single-elimination tournament riding strong momentum after finishing the regular season with a solid 17–8–5 record. With their first matchup set against Purdue Northwest Pride men’s ice hockey, the Ice Bears have a chance to make a statement on one of the biggest stages in club college hockey.
🎧 Hear the full conversation with the coaching staff here:
This year’s tournament carries even more significance as the program celebrates 25 years of Missouri State hockey. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Centene Community Ice Center, the national tournament showcases the rapidly growing level of talent across ACHA Division 1. Head coach Ryan Armstrong and assistant coach Tom Winkler joined The Starting Lineup to talk about what has fueled the team’s success this season, from four deep offensive lines and strong scoring balance to dependable goaltending. They also credit the strong St. Louis hockey pipeline, which has helped build a roster filled with talented players who understand the culture and expectations of the program.
The stakes are simple: win and advance. Lose and the season ends. That’s what makes the ACHA National Tournament one of the most exciting events in collegiate club sports. For fans who can’t make the trip to St. Louis, the Ice Bears’ opening game will be broadcast locally at Billiards of Springfield via FloSports.
