No. 4-ranked Flames fine-tune systems for home-and-home series against ACHA DI newcomer NC State

Liberty University's Division I men's hockey team, which debuted at No. 4 in this week's first national rankings, will open ACHA play with a rare home-and-home series against North Carolina State University this weekend.

The Icepack is one of eight programs to make the jump to the DI level this season, bringing the total to 81 teams, along with the University of North Carolina, which will visit the LaHaye Ice Center for a single game next Friday at 7 p.m.

"They've had great success at the lower levels, and I'm really happy just to see new teams enter this league," Flames sophomore forward Kal Essenmacher said, with the University of Kentucky (which NC State hosts next Friday) and University of Louisville among other teams moving up this season. "It's always awesome to see the growth of hockey, in general, and I'm a big supporter of Southeast hockey, coming from Nashville, (Tenn.). I'm really excited to play them."

He is interested to face the Icepack and the Tar Heels, both members of the ACCHL, for the first time at the DI level.

"It'll be good to see their growth as a program the next couple years, and hopefully they will start some good rivalries and provide some good hockey in this league as it grows," Essenmacher said.

NC State, which finished second to Virginia Tech in last season's ACCHL Division II standings, will host Friday's 8:30 p.m. series opener in the Carolina Hurricanes' practice facility before the Flames return the favor for the rematch on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the LIC.

"I like the home and home environments," Essenmacher said. "It's good for both schools and both programs. It's always good to see support from more growing hockey schools. Both teams have a lot to play for … and it will be a fun showcase."

He said after a slow start in ;ast Friday night's 4-1 exhibition opening win over the West Chester (Pa.) Wolves' NCDC team, the Flames are working on fine-tuning all aspects of their game in practices this week.

"We've been more focusing on ourselves and trying to fix up our systems and trying to get ready," Essenmacher said. "I feel like our mistakes weren't really coming from (West Chester), they were more on us. If we stick to our game and our systems, we should have a good chance. It's a new team. We have a bunch of new guys, kind of like last year. Just getting to know and refine the systems, once we kind of keep hammering down on that, our team will just keep growing in the right direction."

Scouting Preview, Games 2-3: No. 4 Liberty (1-0, 25-6-5 in 2024-25) vs. NC State (1-0, 21-5-6 at ACHA Division II level in 2024-25), Friday at 8:30 p.m. in Invisalign Arena at Wake Competition Center in Morrisville, N.C., and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the LaHaye Ice Center in Lynchburg, Va. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.

All-time series: Liberty leads, 4-0, defeating the then-ACHA DII Icepack in early exhibition games to kick off the 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 seasons.

Liberty Scouting Report: The Flames showcased the depth of their forward lines last Friday, getting their first two goals from their top line of sophomore forwards Hayden DeMars, Tucker Shields, and Liam Cox-Smith and supplemental scoring from junior defenseman Luke Anderson and Essenmacher, a fourth-line forward.

They also got exceptional goaltending from junior starter Konrad Kausch and senior backup Nick Bernstein, who combined for 33 saves and allowed only one goal on a deft deflection by a Wolves player stationed in the crease.

Friday's game will be the first opportunity for senior forward Ryan Finch to play at NC State, and first time playing a game against his brother, Austin Finch, a sophomore forward for the Icepack.

NC State Scouting Report: The Icepack bulked up its roster to help with the transition to the DI ranks, adding 16 new players — including nine North Carolina natives — to their 33-man roster. Head captain Zach Herman scored the game winner in overtime as the Icepack opened its season with a 2-1 triumph over the University of Georgia, an ACHA DII program that switched over from AAU Division I this season.

Between the pipes, Pieter Bartelse earned the victory for NC State against the Bulldogs, making 10 saves in 22 minutes of relief action of starting goalie Isaac Tawyer, who made 10 saves in 20 minutes, and Ethan Roberts, who stopped 12 shots but allowed the lone goal in the second period.

Coaches: Handy is in his 26th season as head coach for the Flames, sporting a career record of 562-228-38 and leading Liberty to three ACHA DI Final Four appearances over the past five seasons. Tim Healy is in his sixth season at the helm for the Icepack after previously serving as its defensive and special teams assistant coach, leading NC State to three ACCHL DII tournament titles in the past five seasons.

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

No. 4-ranked Flames fine-tune systems for home-and-home series against ACHA DI newcomer NC State

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Players Mentioned

Luke Anderson

Liam Cox-Smith

Hayden DeMars

Kal Essenmacher

Ryan Finch

Konrad Kausch

Tucker Shields