Liberty University Club Sports Athletics
Battle-tested Flames eager to make run at ACHA DII Nationals
3/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's D2 Hockey
In preparation for its second straight national tournament appearance, Liberty University's ACHA Division II men's hockey team cut its spring break short to practice at the LaHaye Ice Center this past Thursday through Saturday, the last activities in that facility before its ongoing expansion.
The Flames flew to Utah on Tuesday afternoon and will practice Wednesday and Thursday to adjust to the Olympic-sized ice in the Salt Lake City Sports Complex, the official training venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics and site of the March 20-24 ACHA DII National Championships.
Liberty's four-team bracket in the 16-team tournament will feature three of the same schools in the same seeded positions as last year. It includes top-seeded Grand Valley State and second-seeded Northern Arizona, teams the Flames upset last year and will face again this Friday at 4:30 p.m. (EST) and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (EST), respectively.
"Our pool is eerily similar," Liberty Head Coach Chris Lowes said. "The only difference is New York University in place of New Hampshire, which didn't make it this year after winning it all last year."
The third-seeded Wildcats came from behind to eliminate the Flames in the third round of pool play last year near Boston, advancing to the Final Four.
Liberty, the fourth seed out of the Southeast Region, will face third-seeded NYU in Sunday's final round of pool pl
ay at 4:30 p.m. (EST).
At 18-10-1, the Flames' record is not as impressive as their opponents' — Grand Valley (24-6-2), Northern Arizona (26-7-2), and NYU (22-5-1). But five of their 10 losses came against Florida Gulf Coast University, the No. 1 seed out of the Southeast Region.
"We built our schedule with the purpose to prepare us for the postseason and it paid off at regionals," Lowes said, noting Liberty swept Ohio and third-seeded Penn State. "We're battle-tested, we've been in tight games, games that we've come out on top and others where we've fallen short."
He believes the Flames are stronger at every position this season, and even more poised for a Final Four push.
"I like the makeup of all of our forward lines, which all play a different style, with a combination of playmaking, speed, size, and physicality," Lowes said. "We've shown pretty consistent scoring, especially with our top two lines (of sophomores Devon Docksteader and Ben Freymond and junior Paul Ingles; and sophomore Ryan Bray, junior Peter Kazmierczak, and senior Caleb Grow). Our third line can skate with any team in the country and our fourth line can give us quality minutes.
"Our defense can run seven deep and we have confidence in each one of them," he added, "so we have better depth and guys ready to step up."
Liberty may be without senior backup goalie Justin Gortman, who was injured in practice last week. The Flames will lean on senior starter Blair Bennett with support from freshman Connor Carew.
"With the potential for five games in five days, some would argue that's too much for one goalie," Lowes said. "We will evaluate that when we get there, depending on the games, how physical they are and how many shots they face."
The experience of success at last year's tournament has only made Liberty eager for more this weekend.
"The guys returning from last year understand that we are right there with those teams and can play with anyone in the tournament," Lowes said. "I hope they play with confidence but play loose and don't let the pressure affect them. It's a daunting task for anyone to look at winning five games at nationals. We're not the favorites on paper, but if we play to our abilities, we've got some potential to make some noise."
All games will be webcast live by the University of Utah.
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
