DIII Flames set sights on another ACCHL title, deeper AAU nationals run

Anticipation is in the air around the LaHaye Ice Center as Liberty University's Division III men's hockey team enters its fourth season competing in the AAU Division II ranks, especially after the Flames won their first two games at the AAU National Championships last March in Jacksonville, Fla.

Before being eliminated by St. John Fisher in the final round of pool play, narrowly missing a trip to the Final Four, Liberty was riding an 11-game winning streak that included its capturing its first ACCHL Tournament Championship.

"Last year, we had a really big mountain we climbed," third-year Head Coach Josh Wagner said. "We got to a good place, winning our conference championship. This year is going to be great. We have a deep team with a lot more skill coming in. This was the most competitive tryout we've ever had, and we've added players who will have a huge impact on the team right away. We're really excited to get going."

He said the team's returning veterans have helped set the standard for the 12 incoming recruits.

"Now we know what it's like to win and to succeed in big moments," Wagner said. "The veterans on the team, the captains know how to win now. We have big expectations for the guys and the returners know how to enforce that expectation and really push it … and the freshmen are going to be able to meet that."

The Flames are looking forward to hosting the 12-team ACCHL tournament after ending their postseason struggles against Coastal Carolina and capturing the tournament crown early last March in Winston-Salem, N.C.

"We are absolute excited about that," Wagner said. "It will be a great opportunity to bring exposure to our great facilities here."

For now, Liberty is eager to showcase this season's lineup during Friday's 6:30 p.m. opener against Stevenson (Md.) University at the LIC.

"Last year we had great chemistry, and the guys were all together," said Flames senior forward Zachary Lemons, one of the team's leading scorers last season. "(Winning the ACCHL tournament) was definitely motivating. The standards are pretty high now because of that."

"We won conference last year and we've got to defend that title this year," Liberty senior forward Thomas Mougin added. "All the returners are ready to get back out there. We've got a bunch of new guys who we are trying to build up fast in practices. We're excited. All the new guys coming in are ready to go."

Three newcomers Wagner expects to have a major impact on the Flames' success this season are graduate Roman Lamoureux, who helped lead the Division II team to ACHA nationals the past five seasons and has one final season of eligibility due to COVID shortening his freshman season, as well as fellow forwards Parker Smith and Kash Benson.

"Those freshmen will both be big impact players for us," he said. "Defensively, (senior) Ethan Locklear, (junior) Jared Meyer, and (graduate) Brayden Sheen, a few of our oldest guys," will anchor the team in front of junior goalie Trey Tompkins, sophomore Hunter Chubb, who returned to Liberty after taking a year off, and freshman Declan McGinley.

After Friday's opener, the Flames will get their first two away tests at Rowan (N.J.) University Oct. 3-4 before closing out the fall semester schedule with four more home games —against Kutztown (Oct. 17-18) and High Point (Oct. 25-26) — and four on the road at High Point (Nov. 21-22) and Penn State Harrisburg (Dec. 6-7).

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer; Video edited by Jordan Chamberlain/Club Sports Video & Media Coordinator

DIII Flames set sights on another ACCHL title, deeper AAU nationals run

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kash Benson

Jordan Chamberlain

Hunter Chubb

Roman Lamoureux

Zachary Lemons

Ethan Locklear

Declan McGinley

Jared Meyer

Thomas Mougin

Brayden Sheen

Parker Smith

DIII Flames set sights on another ACCHL title, deeper AAU nationals run

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kash Benson

Jordan Chamberlain

Hunter Chubb

Roman Lamoureux

Zachary Lemons

Ethan Locklear

Declan McGinley

Jared Meyer

Thomas Mougin

Brayden Sheen

Parker Smith

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