Blue Raiders Capture Veterans Cup, Extend Win Streak to 12
When the final horn sounded in Huntsville, Alabama, the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders flooded the ice in celebration. For the first time since the Veterans Cup’s debut in 2021, the Blue Raiders were champions-bringing the trophy home to Murfreesboro and adding another chapter to their growing legacy.
Fresh off last season’s College Hockey South Division 2 Championship, MTSU entered the Nov. 8–9 tournament riding a 10-game win streak and carrying the confidence of a team that knows how to win. Head coach JJ Murray’s squad didn’t want just another trophy — they wanted to make a statement.
And from the very first puck drop, they did.
In their opening game against the University of Tennessee Ice Vols, the Blue Raiders wasted no time setting the tone. #88 Tommy Chunchukov and #7 JJ Landers each found the back of the net in the first period to give MTSU an early 2–0 lead. By the second, #10 Anthony Banas and #11 Brendan Ogle had extended the advantage, while the Ice Vols’ late goal couldn’t slow down the Raiders’ momentum. When the Ogle brothers-Brendan and his older brother #86 Kieran-each scored in the third, the game was all but sealed. The 6–1 victory sent a message: MTSU had come to dominate.
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The following day’s championship matchup against Kennesaw State University was no different. The Blue Raiders came out blazing. Captain #9 Linden Palmer opened the scoring, followed by goals from Kieran Ogle and #18 Yuli Lima. Before the first intermission, Lima added another, giving MTSU a commanding 4–0 lead. If the first period was dominance, the second was pure destruction. Kieran Ogle netted his second of the night, #6 Jacob Schenk scored twice, and #27 Matt Siciliano added one of his own. Then Lima, which his third goal of the game, completed his first career hat trick in Blue Raiders colors-and MTSU’s lead ballooned 9–0. But the scoring wasn’t over yet. In the third period, Kieran Ogle recorded his own hat trick-the team’s second of the game. #90 Donovan Yesnach and Palmer each added goals before #20 Kenan Rosas capped the 13–1 blowout with just 13 seconds left.
The win didn’t just earn the Blue Raiders their first Veterans Cup title-it extended their win streak to 12 straight games.
Kieran Ogle, who led the way with four goals and four assists across both games, was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
The Blue Raiders will look to keep that hunger alive as they face Vanderbilt University on Nov. 14–15 at the Ford Ice Center in Bellevue. Two more wins could push their streak to 14-a number that speaks to the power of their chemistry and drive.
For MTSU hockey, the Veterans Cup victory is more than just another trophy. It’s proof of how far the program has come and how much further it’s ready to go.
Go Blue Raiders!
