DII Flames host reigning national champion Minutemen this weekend at the LIC

Friday, October 27

Lynchburg, VA

7:30 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Junior goalie Lane Skon focuses on stopping a Lindenwood shot from the slot in a 5-1 loss to the Lions on Oct. 13 at the LaHaye Ice Center. (Photo by Matt Reynolds)

DII Flames host reigning national champion Minutemen this weekend at the LIC

10/27/2023 10:59:00 AM | Men's D2 Hockey

Liberty needs to shore up its defense after allowing 16 goals and dropping two of three games in its Oct. 13-15 home showcase.

After sustaining back-to-back losses for the second time this season — against Lindenwood (Mo.) University and Florida Gulf Coast University, two of the top teams in the nation — during a home showcase on Oct. 13-15, Liberty University's ACHA Division II men's hockey team welcomes reigning ACHA DII national champion UMass-Amherst to the LaHaye Ice Center on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

The Flames are looking forward to renewing their rivalry with the Minutemen, especially now, as the defending national champions.

"We have a really good relationship with them," Liberty Head Coach Ben Hughes said. "They are always one of the best teams, and last year, they were the best. It is fun to play the best teams, fun to be pushed."

Like the Flames (5-4), UMass (3-3) is off to a bit of a slow start and seeking to return to its winning ways. The teams split their two matches last season, with both winning on their home ice, after

Liberty beat the Minutemen, 3-2, in a three-game home showcase sweep from Oct. 29-31, 2021.

"For us, every weekend's a statement weekend," Hughes said. "Both teams are looking at winning a lot of games this season, having strong records in the past, and both are right around .500 so far, so it is unique time to play each other. Both teams are looking to get back (to nationals). We need to prove it to ourselves to get back on track."

The Flames are coming off a 7-5 win over Davenport (Mich.) University in last Sunday's third and final game of the showcase, which was closer than Hughes might have liked.

"We had at least five goals scored against us the last three games in a row," he said, including the 5-1 loss to Lindenwood and 6-5 setback against FGCU. "We can all take some ownership in that. We need all of our (defensemen) to step up and be better. Our focus has got to start in our D zone. Then, hopefully, let the rest of the ice and the creativity in our offense take care of itself."

The Flames have been without junior forward and head captain Josh Harrell for the past few weeks after he had surgery on an upper-body injury. Senior defensemen and alternate captains Rece Poulin and Nate Mulder have stepped up to take increased leadership roles in Harrell's absence on the ice.

"Josh has been out, and we don't have a return date yet," Hughes said. "You don't really replace a guy like that. He's around every single day, making his presence known. We are battling through a little adversity to figure out our team identity and culture in our locker room. I like our progress, our projections, and where we're heading, who we are becoming."

The Flames' schedule does not lighten up after the Minutemen leave town on Saturday.

"It is going to be a big weekend for us, and we are excited for it," Hughes said. "Every game from here on out is going to keep getting harder, with Northeastern here next weekend before we go to Lindenwood and Florida Gulf Coast the first weekend in December and host Penn State to end the semester."

Liberty will open the spring 2024 slate by playing FGCU, Concordia (Wisc.), and Lindenwood once more in the Miami (Ohio) Showcase from Jan. 19-21.

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer