Flames capitalize on two late power plays to rally past host Saints in Maryville Showcase opener

Thursday, November 21

St. Louis, MO

9:15 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

Maryville University

Senior forward and alternate captain Jacob Kalandytk cuts through the crease in the Flames' first meeting with Maryville last Oct. 18 at the LaHaye Ice Center. (Photo by Simon Barbre)

Flames capitalize on two late power plays to rally past host Saints in Maryville Showcase opener

11/22/2024 9:39:00 AM | Men's D1 Hockey

Liberty won the rubber match against Maryville after splitting last month's series at the LaHaye Ice Center; challenges No. 1 Minot State on Friday.

Following two scoreless periods, Liberty University's ACHA Division I men's hockey team and the host Saints combined for three goals in the third, all on power plays, Thursday night at the Maryville University Hockey Center in Chesterfield, Mo.

The No. 7-ranked Flames (10-5-2) allowed the first on the penalty kill with 11:11 remaining in regulation before netting the tying and game-winning goals down the stretch for a 2-1 triumph that snapped a four-game skid. Liberty wins the regular-season rubber match with the No. 8 Saints (10-6-2), who had split a series at the LaHaye Ice Center just over a month ago in Lynchburg, Va.

Seconds after a 5-on-3 advantage turned into a 5-on-4, Maryville forward Will Smith received a cross-crease pass from deep in the left circle into the right crease and slammed in an open-net finish with Flames sophomore goalie Konrad Kausch drawn out of position.

The Flames (9-5-2) were awarded a 4-on-3 power play and freshman forward Mac Ratzlaff converted off a feed from junior defenseman Nick Pomerleau by roofing a sharp-angled shot from deep in the right circle with 5:35 to go, beating Maryville goalie Lucas Bain.

More special teams action wound up in Liberty's favor down the stretch as a Maryville power play turned into a 4-on-4 and then a 5-on-4 for 55 seconds for the Flames, who netted the game-winner with 1:07 remaining in regulation.

Sophomore forward Mason Smith received a short pass from senior forward Jacob Kalandyk and skated up along the left boards before dishing the puck to graduate forward Jackson Vercellono near the left post. He sent a pass back to across the front of the cage to Smith who tapped it past Bain from point-blank range.

"It was a good comeback for us," Flames Head Coach Kirk Handy said. "To battle back the way we did shows a lot of tenacity and push for our guys."

However, the victory came with consequences as junior forward and head captain Sam Feamster and sophomore forward Ryan Finch will serve one-game suspensions following a fight as time expired.

"The reason why we're playing these games is to identify areas where we need to be better in," Handy said. "We've got to improve on our discipline and stay out of our box, especially when we're on the power play."

Maryville outshot Liberty 36-27 for the contest and Kausch made 35 saves in the victory. The Flames will challenge No. 1-ranked Minot State in the second game of the showcase on Friday at 4:15 p.m. back at the Maryville University Hockey Center, streamed live on Maryville's YouTube Channel.

"Now that we were able to win that first game, we want to keep building on it," Handy said. "We have a big game (Friday). We are looking forward to it. We're going to get a good night's sleep and go back at it tomorrow and see what we can do."

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer