The TCU ice hockey team defeated SMU 9-4 Friday night in front of a large audience at the NYTEX Sports Center in North Richland Hills.

By the end of the game, the Frogs had 14 penalties against them. The penalty most commonly caused was hooking, called when a player restrains an opponent in motion, during the game.

Had the Frogs been whistled for one more penalty, head coach Mike Caressimo would have been suspended for the upcoming game.

Caressimo said the team would work on discipline, staying out of the penalty box and setting up offensive zones throughout the upcoming week.

SMU took the ice with only seven players. That group was called for eight penalties to go with their four goals in the game.

“I think they played really well for seven people,” Caressimo said.

Caressimo said the audience got the team pumped up and helped them push their record to 2-0 on the season.

“[Playing hockey] is easier to play in front of a lot of fans than no body,” Caressimo said.

Audience member Benjamin Yoder said he was really excited that TCU has more sports teams to cheer for. And, according to junior Brian Rockwell, the players notice the energy a crowd brings to the arena.

“If [the team] could get this many people to every game, [the atmosphere] would be such a great home team advantage,” Rockwell said.

Rockwell said he did not play as well as he did in the season opener. He scored one goal and had one assist Friday, after netting the puck four times last week.  

Jake Wallstedt led the Frogs with a game-high two goals in Friday’s win.

The Frogs will look to stay undefeated when they play the SMU at home on Oct. 5. That game is slated to have an 8:30 p.m. faceoff.