DIII men’s hockey sweeps ACCHL-leading Rowan, 7-6 in OT, 6-2 in rematch at LIC

Friday, January 24

Lynchburg, VA

4:30 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

Rowan University

Liberty DIII men's hockey players celebrate the Flames' 7-6 sudden-death overtime victory over Rowan (N.J.) University on Friday afternoon in the LaHaye Ice Center. (Photos by Ryan Anderson)

DIII men’s hockey sweeps ACCHL-leading Rowan, 7-6 in OT, 6-2 in rematch at LIC

1/28/2025 3:32:00 PM | Men's D3 Hockey

Liberty started the spring semester in thrilling fashion, upsetting the Profs on sophomore forward Caleb Burchett's overtime goal in the opener and goals by six different players in Game 2.

Gallery: (1-28-2025) DIII men's hockey vs. Rowan

Liberty University's AAU Division III men's hockey team remained in fourth place in the AAU Division IIII standings by sweeping first-place Rowan (N.J.) University (10-3-1) in its spring semester-opening series at the LaHaye Ice Center.

The Flames (9-5) needed overtime to stage a 7-6 triumph in Friday afternoon's first game before taking control of Saturday afternoon's rematch with five unanswered goals in the second and third periods for a 6-2 victory.

Liberty opened a 3-0 lead after the first period of the opener, on goals by freshman forward Josiah Martinez at the 11:40 mark and two goals in the final three minutes — by sophomore forward Zachary Lemons for his team-leading 13th on the season on a power play and graduate forward Michael Williams. — However, the Profs scored three of the first four goals in the second, trading shorthanded goals by Lemons at the 8:41 mark and Rowan's Billy Hambsch 27 seconds later to trim the Flames' lead to 4-3.

Senior forward Kelly Stroik finished feeds from Lemons and senior forward Luke Bessire to pad the Flames' advantage to 5-3 before the Profs struck back 17 seconds later and Williams answered 42 seconds after that.

Rowan netted the only two goals of the third period to force a five-minute, sudden-death overtime period featuring three-on-three action when sophomore forward Caleb Burchette capitalized on the game winner with 22 seconds to go off assists from freshman defenseman Colin Bowman and Lemons.

"We have good depth right now," Wagner said. "We played all four lines, which is definitely an advantage. On defense (senior) Aaron Spuhler, Ethan Locklear, who transferred in from Appalachian State this semester, are playing really well."

Liberty netted one goal in the first period, two in the second, and three in the third of Saturday's rematch. Just 3:47 into the first period, Bessire received an assist from Lemons and weaved his way through the right circle and across the slot before depositing a backhand inside the left post. The Profs' Ethan Putz answered with the equalizer from point-blank range past senior goalie Kyle Wesbury just over three minutes later before Patrick Candello put them up 2-1 with a power-play goal just over three minutes after that.

With 14:02 left in the second period, Liberty junior forward Thomas Mougin scored the tying goal off a beautiful pass across the goal mouth from linemate Martinez. After a roughing penalty against Rowan on the ensuing goal celebration by the Flames, Lemons needed only 32 seconds to net the game-winning goal from close range on a power play off assists from senior defenseman Brayden Sheen and Stroik.

Liberty went back on the man advantage early in the third period and Williams added an insurance score with a shot in the slot at the 16:36 mark off a backhanded pass out of the left circle from Burchett.

The Flames extended their lead to 5-2 on a quick odd-man rush finished by Stroik with a backhand off assists from Lemons and Bessire with 5:46 remaining in regulation. Senior forward Ethan Dunn capped the scoring just over a minute later on a shot in the slot set up by a Burchett's pass out of the left corner.

"We were down 2-1 and came back and we just started playing our game … and had a really solid two periods," Liberty Head Coach Josh Wagner said.

Liberty outshot Rowan 17-14 in the first period before gaining separation by outfiring the Profs 21-11 in the second and 21-13 in the third for a 59-38 total as Wesbury made 36 saves to secure the win.

After an off weekend, Liberty will return to the LIC to entertain ACCHL nemesis Coastal Carolina on Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m.

"That will be a good battle for sure," Wagner said. "Coastal Carolina is fourth in the league right now, and we moved up to first in the ACCHL and second in the nation in Division III. In league games, we're 7-0-1 right now (so) we are really confident about this weekend. It will be a big series for us to make sure we stay on top."

The ACCHL Division III Tournament is set for Feb. 28-March 2 in Winston-Salem before the AAU Division III national championships are set for March 18-25 in Jacksonville, Fla.

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer; Video edited by Patrick Strawn/Club Sports Director of Video & Media