DI Flames salvage split, even all-time series with Bobcats on road

Saturday, February 8

Athens, OH

Liberty University Club Sports

Ohio University

Jackson Vercellono and Truett Olson vs. Ohio

Graduate forward Jackson Vercellono controls the puck along the boards as senior linemate Truett Olson skates in front against Ohio last November at the LaHaye Ice Center. (Photos by Joel Coleman)

DI Flames salvage split, even all-time series with Bobcats on road

2/8/2025 11:28:00 PM | Men's D1 Hockey

Truett Olson netted the equalizer with 33 seconds remaining in regulation before Mason Smith scored the game winner in overtime.

Mason Smith Liberty Ohio — Sophomore forward Mason Smith scored the game-winning goal 1:44 into the overtime period at Bird Arena in Athens, Ohio.

Senior forward Truett Olson netted the equalizer with 33 seconds remaining in regulation before sophomore forward Mason Smith tallied the game winner with 3:44 left in sudden-death overtime as Liberty University's No. 3-ranked ACHA Division I men's hockey team salvaged a series split against No. 4 Ohio University with a 3-2 victory Saturday night at Bird Arena in Athens, Ohio.

Smith won a faceoff in the Bobcats' left circle and made a lunging pass back to junior defenseman Laz Kaebel, who launched a shot from the high slot. Smith gathered the putback in the right crease and tucked it past Ohio goalie Max Karlenzig, starting the Flames' celebration as their bench poured out onto the ice.

"Mason was arguably one of our best forwards tonight," Liberty Head Coach Kirk Handy said. "He was all over the puck and he was rewarded for his efforts tonight by scoring a beauty. He had unbelievable puck pursuit and (the winning goal) reinforces the fact of how well he has been playing."

Junior goalie Nicholas Bernstein got the call to start in net for the Flames after sophomore Konrad Kausch was banged up by a series of collisions in the cage during Friday's opener. He made 36 saves and shut the Bobcats down after they had opened a 2-1 first-period lead.
"Nick played fantastic for us tonight," Handy said. "He made some really timely saves and was awesome."

Liberty outshot Ohio by a 40-38 margin after it was tied at 37 following regulation. The Bobcats struck first just two and a half minutes after the opening faceoff when Jack Glen finished assists from Will Cohen and Barron Stibbe. Flames graduate center Jackson Vercellono answered with his team-leading 15th goal of the season off assists from Olson and Kaebel at the 12:29 mark before TJ Richey netted his first goal of the season for Ohio to give the Bobcats a 2-1 advantage with 1:25 to play in the first period.

After a scoreless second, the Flames pulled Bernstein for an extra skater on the ice with 1:03 to play in the third and Olson responded exactly 30 seconds later, capitalizing on an assist from Vercellono in front.

"In the third period, we started to get our game back in form and applied more pressure," Handy said. "Truett had a great shot in front and was able to bury it."

"I loved that there wasn't a panic, but a quiet confidence when our guys were playing that they would be able to come back into this game," Handy added. "It was a fun one to be a part of and kind of takes the sting away from (Friday night's 5-2 defeat).

The win evens the all-time series between the two independent programs at 23-23 with a regular-season-ending series rematch set for Feb. 21-22 at the LaHaye Ice Center.

"Ohio's a very good hockey team, a team that will be there at the end of the year," Handy said. "For us, to find a way to win is a big encouragement for our guys who have been playing well. As we saw our guys battle and play tonight, it was super encouraging for us as a coaching staff. We are looking forward to facing them two more times to even the series back at home."

Next weekend, Liberty will host Pittsburgh on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the LIC.

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer