Liberty University Club Sports
University of Jamestown
Flames allow Jimmies to rally from 2-0 deficit, come away with series split after 3-2 upset
2/20/2022 9:19:17 AM | Men's D1 Hockey
An intense goalkeeper battle between Jamestown (N.D.) University’s Tyson Brouwer and Liberty University ACHA Division I men’s hockey junior Hunter Virostek created another defensive clash late Saturday night at the LaHaye Ice Center, with the No. 11 Jimmies relying on Brouwer’s 43 saves to salvage a series split against the third-ranked Flames with a 3-2 upset win.
“Both goalies are solid, and they played really well,” Liberty Head Coach Kirk Handy said after the Flames outshot Jamestown 45-36 and Virostek made 33 saves. “Hunter’s played great for us all year and he bailed us out most of the night tonight.”
The Flames (20-8-1) left a near-capacity, late-night College For A Weekend (CFAW) crowd on the edge of its seats for much of the contest, as they were unable to send out their nine seniors on a winning note.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed in the result of the game,” Handy said, noting that Jamestown (12-12-6) outcompeted Liberty on both sides of the ice. “There was a little more desperation and sense of urgency on their end. They’re a good team and they work hard. Games like this are what prepare you for nationals.”
He said the Flames took too many penalties (six) and did manage to capitalize on two of six power plays, but failed to convert on a 5-on-3 that would have padded their lead.
“Those are going to be two of the areas of our game that we’re going to have to refine in the next two weeks if we’re going to win at nationals,” Handy said.
Liberty had taken the three previous meetings, rallying from behind twice to sweep the Jimmies on their home ice in October. This time, Jamestown turned the tables on the Flames.
Liberty’s power-play unit was successful in the first and second periods as the Flames seized a 2-0 advantage. With 3:12 remaining in the first, junior defenseman Cam Kuhl sent a pass from the high slot to senior forward Josh Fricks at top of the left circle, where he launched a shot on goal that freshman forward Jackson Vercellono — stationed deep in the right crease — deflected past Brouwer.
Then, with less than 15 seconds left in a power play early in the second, Vercellono won a faceoff back to Kuhl who skated to the high slot before sending the puck to sophomore forward Jason Foltz at the top of the right circle. Foltz skated in and threaded an assist across the slot between three Jimmies to Fricks for a one-timed shot from the left circle that beat Brouwer inside the right post.
With 15:02 to play in the second period, the Jimmies cut the deficit in half to 2-1 when forward Marquez Ginger slammed home the putback of defenseman Gregory Susinski’s shot through the slot that glanced off Virostek’s glove to Ginger in the right crease.
Then, with 16:52 to play in the third, Jamestown capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play to put away the equalizer when Austin Kromm stuck in a second rebound opportunity in the left crease, knotting the score at 2-2 after Susinski’s shot from the high slot clanged off the right post.
Virostek kept the game tied after Kromm made a breakaway steal at center ice and went in for a breakaway chance. He then smothered Alexander Church’s point-blank shot on an odd man rush moments later, laying on the puck that was perilously close to the goal line.
Church cashed in on his next chance, however, chasing down a puck lifted out of the defensive zone along the boards, setting up a two-on-one up the right wing. He eyed like he would pass it across the crease to his trailing teammate before firing a no-look shot inside the right post with 3:32 to go.
A penalty put the Flames a man down until the final minute when Handy pulled Virostek and Liberty generated a couple scoring chances with the puck left out in front, but no one could punch it in.
“We had chances tonight and it was a battle,” Handy said. “It was a good hockey game, (but) we didn’t have the focus and determination that we had (Friday) night.”
The Flames have two weeks to prepare for their regular-season finale on March 8 at No. 15 Maryville, host of last season’s national championships. The Saints have already clinched a bid to this year’s tournament in nearby St. Louis as the Midwest College Hockey (MCH) regular-season champions.
“We feel good about our team and we like the way it’s setting up for us,” Handy said. “We’ll wait to find out on Wednesday where we’re ranked and who we’re playing and then make plans on when we’re going out (to St. Louis).”
Of the nine graduating seniors, some plan to return for an extra season or two as they move into graduate school, including defenseman and head captain Colin Baird and forward and alternate captain Matt Bartel. Others, like graduate defenseman Chaydan Lauber, senior forwards Josh Fricks, Devin Melice, and Zak Albers, senior defensemen Tom Nagle and Alex Norwinski, and senior goalie Tyler Myers — “guys who have been absolute warriors for us,” according to Handy — may not.
“(Lauber) has played the most games in Liberty hockey history (190) and he’s been a great hockey player for us,” Handy said. “He’s played through a lot. He’s a great teammate, great leader inside that locker room. Guys love Chaydan for who he is — he’s real, a guy who loves his teammates and a guy who comes to play and to battle for his brothers in there.”
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer; Video by Patrick Strawn/Club Sports Director of Video & Media
