The ACHA D2 Men’s National Championships Semifinals await the Cowboys as they swept through pool play with relative ease — Pokes to face Saint Thomas on Monday at 1:45PM CST
In a dominant debut at the 2026 ACHA Division 2 Men’s National Championships in and around (for the pool play) St. Louis, Missouri, the Oklahoma State Cowboy Hockey team stormed through Pool D with a flawless 3-0 record, outscoring opponents 26-7 and securing a spot in the semifinals.
Facing Michigan State, Army, and defending champions Tampa, the Cowboys showed that, while a newer program to the scene, they can hang with anyone and swept the pool and advanced to the final four.
The run started Thursday, March 12, against Michigan State in a back-and-forth battle ending 7-4. OSU struck first on the power play at 12:52 remaining in the first when captain Kaden Nelson rifled a wrist shot for a 1-0 lead. MSU tied it on their power play at 10:00.
The second period saw MSU pull ahead 3-1 with goals at 18:50 and 11:13, but Cannon Green narrowed it to 3-2 at 5:37 off assists from Zion Green and O’Connell. Corbin Roach tied it 3-3 at 1:00 with a dazzling individual effort from Nelson’s pass.
In the third, MSU regained the lead 4-3 at 19:29, but Cooper Matthews equalized at 7:38 from O’Connell, followed by Jordan Karafile’s go-ahead wrist shot at 7:13. Zion Green extended it to 6-4 at 3:47 from Cannon Green, and another Green power-play tally at 2:07 sealed the 7-4 win. OSU’s power play went 3-for-5, with Nelson and the Greens combining for multiple points.
Friday’s clash with Army was a 10-1 rout, highlighting OSU’s relentless attack. Nelson opened on the power play at 17:32 in the first for 1-0, but Army tied it at 16:39. Rylan Brady reclaimed the lead at 10:14 on a rebound from Roach.
The second exploded with Karafile’s rebound goal at 16:03 and another at 12:57 for 4-1, then Roach’s poke at 4:45 made it 5-1.
The third featured Matthews’ rifle at 16:55, Ethan Gonyeau’s power-play blast at 8:47, Karafile’s hat-trick rush at 5:47, Nelson’s back-post power-play finish at 4:11, and Roach’s power-play tally at 2:33.
OSU dominated shots 45-18, converting 5-of-7 power plays, with Karafile’s three goals and Nelson’s multi-point game standing out.
Saturday against Tampa, OSU dethroned the champs 9-2. Brady’s power-play back-door tap from Roach at 18:04 started it, followed by Roach from Nelson at 12:08 for 2-0. Tampa scored at 8:30, but Matthews’ laser from Nelson at 1:45 made it 3-1 after one.
Cannon Green from Zion Green at 12:16 pushed it to 4-1, Tampa replied at 5:13, then Nelson from Matthews at 4:13 ended the second 5-2.
The third was a barrage: Cannon Green’s second from Nelson at 19:36, Matthews’ second at 19:06, Roach’s second at 2:50, and Karafile’s power-play closer at 0:32.
OSU outshot Tampa 38-22, going 3-for-6 on the power play and perfect on the kill. Roach (2G, 1A), Matthews (2G, 1A), Cannon Green (2G), and Nelson (1G, 3A) led the charge.
Key contributors included Karafile (5G across tournament), Nelson (4G, 5A), Roach (4G, 3A), Matthews (4G, 1A), and the Green brothers (combined 5G, 5A). Goaltending held firm with a .915 save percentage, while special teams excelled at over 40% power-play efficiency.
Now, Oklahoma State faces Pool A winner University of St. Thomas in the semifinals on Monday, March 16, at 1:45 p.m. CT.
St. Thomas, with their solid defense and scoring, will test OSU’s momentum. A win would send the Cowboys to Tuesday’s championship against the winner of the other semifinal between Pool B champion Niagara University and Pool C champion Florida Gulf Coast University. Niagara’s speed and FGCU’s experience could create a shootout finale.
Established in 2021, OSU Hockey has rapidly ascended, earning its first nationals berth as the West Region’s top seed. Off the ice, rumors persist of a potential leap to NCAA Division I, with talks of a new arena and donor support aiming for a 2030 launch, though athletic officials cite funding hurdles.
As the Cowboys chase history, their pool play dominance signals a program ready to claim some hardware.