Flames double up Icepack in ACHA DI opener, await NC State in Saturday’s home rematch

Friday, September 12

Raleigh, NC

8:30 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

NC State University

As a freshman in 2023, Flames forward Ryan Finch faced NC State at the LaHaye Ice Center. On Friday, he played against the Icepack and his brother, Austin, in Morrisville, N.C. (Photos by KJ Jugar)

Flames double up Icepack in ACHA DI opener, await NC State in Saturday’s home rematch

9/13/2025 12:04:00 AM | Men's D1 Hockey

Liberty overcame an early deficit to stage a 4-2 road win, improving to 5-0 in its all-time series against NC State and first meeting as DI opponents on road.

Liberty University's ACHA Division I men's hockey team opened league play with its first-ever victory at North Carolina State on Friday night at the Invisalign Arena at Wake Competition Center in Morrisville, N.C.

With the 4-2 triumph, the Flames (2-0) improved to 5-0 against the Icepack, all over the past five seasons, but it was the first time the two teams squared off as Division I foes, and away from the LaHaye Ice Center, where they will meet in Saturday's 7 p.m. rematch.

"It was a great atmosphere, a great turnout, and it was a lot of fun," Flames Head Coach Kirk Handy said of starting a new regional rivalry against the Icepack in the home of the NHL Carolina Hurricanes' practice facility. "It was awesome. You want to play these (home-and-home series) at the beginning of the year, to get on the road nice and early. In the first and second periods, we played pretty well. Then in the third, we got away from our game. We'll have to play better (Saturday)."

NC State (1-1) scored first, on the first of two power-play goals after penalties assessed to Flames junior forward Mason Smith. In between those infractions, Smith netted the go-ahead goal for the Flames off assists from senior defenseman Connor Diem and sophomore defenseman Michael Adamek for a 2-1 advantage with 6:28 remaining in the first period.

Just over a minute earlier, Liberty sophomore forward Liam Cox-Smith had tallied the tying goal off assists from junior forward Hayden DeMars and junior defenseman Nick Pomerleau. Pomerleau then assisted junior forward Luke Monroe on the game winner for a 3-1 edge in the opening minute of the second period.

"It was nice to get Luke Munroe his first goal as a Liberty Flame," Handy said of the transfer from NCAA Division III SUNY Geneseo. "He's starting tio come into his own.

Senior forward Michael DeBrito capped the scoring for the Flames at the 2:10 mark of the second off Pomerleau's third assist and a secondary feed from Cox-Smith before NC State cut the deficit to two goals with its second score on the man advantage in the third period.

"Five on five we played pretty well," Handy said. "The offense was spread around. You hate giving up that shorthanded goal at the end there. That was a tough one to give up. They were able to score both their goals on the power play, whereas we only got one. Special teams-wise, we lost the battle tonight, something we want to make sure we're a whole lot better at (on Saturday). We are trying to get better each time out."

Senior goalie Nick Bernstein got the start between the pipes and played well, making 19 saves as the Flames outshot the Icepack, 31-21.

Saturday night's game will again be streamed live on ESPN+

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer