Flames rejuvenated from Finland trip, ready to rock the rink against Purple Panthers

Friday, January 23

Lynchburg, VA

7:00 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

Niagara University

Flames sophomore forward Hayden DeMars crashes the net in last season's series against Niagara at the LaHaye Ice Center. (Photos by Simon Barbre)

Flames rejuvenated from Finland trip, ready to rock the rink against Purple Panthers

1/22/2026 10:08:00 AM | Men's D1 Hockey

Strengthened in team unity and renewed in purpose, Liberty will look to turn the tables on Niagara after being swept in New York.

Liberty University's Division I men's hockey team may not have brought the frigid temperatures and snowfall back from Finland. But after traveling to that Scandinavian country from Jan. 4-14 for the third time in seven seasons, the No. 9-ranked Flames are definitely acclimated to those conditions in preparation for this weekend, when they resume ACHA play with a home series against No. 5 Niagara (N.Y.) University.

The players — including spring semester recruits Tanner Hunt and Bronson Hunt, twin brothers and forwards from Long Beach, N.Y., and Shane Burns, a defenseman from southern California, former teammates at Northstar Academy in Alexandria, Minn. — ended their stay in Finland with a steamy sauna and hot tub followed by a reinvigorating ice bath in Lake Kuusijärvi.

"Our guys really benefited from that on the very last day of the trip," Flames Hockey Operation Assistant John Cimba said. "Being tired, mentally and physically, and guys' bodies hurting after all of the hockey they played, it was a great experience to be able to do that right before getting on an eight-hour plane ride. Everyone felt very rested and back to themselves."

Head Coach Kirk Handy has seen transformation in his players' hearts and minds and expects that to translate to the way they compete together on the ice.

"It was a great couple of weeks with our team over in Finland," he said. "It sharpened our game and sharpened our team from spiritual, mental, and physical standpoints. These trips are such catalysts for success on and off the ice for our program and for who we want to be. Being in that environment for nine days straight and battling adversity as a team, that's where growth occurs."

For players like senior forward Michael DeBrito, sophomore forwards Kal Essenmacher and Tucker Shields, and junior goalie Konrad Kausch, who were baptized at Hämeenlinna Internation Christian Fellowship (ICF) and Freechurch, the trip was life changing.

"It was amazing to see the way the Lord was working in all of our lives and in all of the lives of the locals there," DeBrito said. "We definitely became tighter as a group. I've never had an experience like that with a group of guys before, and I feel closer with these guys than with anyone else in my entire life. Hopefully, that pays dividends going into the rest of the year here."

He said the experience was a perfect way for the trio of new teammates to assimilate with the Flames.

"The trip definitely helped with them getting climatized to our culture," DeBrito said. "They're all great hockey players, but more importantly even better people, so they'll be big additions for our team."

The Flames have had some high-energy practices at the LaHaye Ice Center this week leading into this weekend's series against the Purple Eagles, who have been ranked as high as No. 1 in ACHA Division I this season.

"It's going to be a good challenge, but we're excited for it," DeBrito said. "We're a way different team than we were when we played them in October. I think that will be pretty evident just by the way we come out in the first period. We've done a lot of film (review) since then, we've made a lot of changes, and hopefully, we can take advantage of it."

"Practices have been really good," he added. "We've been battling really hard, and only time will tell."

Handy said the Flames have mostly recovered from lingering injuries over the Winter Break and are eager to showcase playoff-ready performances as they start the semester.

"It's imperative for us to turn the tide (against Niagara)," he said. "I've really liked what I'm seeing from the guys since we've been back, and I'm excited to see how we play this weekend. Our guys will be ready to go."

DI men's hockey vs. Niagara Star Wars graphic

Scouting Preview, Games 22-23: No. 5 Niagara (15-5) at No. 9 Liberty (15-6), Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. in the LaHaye Ice Center. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+. For Saturday's rematch, fans are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite Star Wars characters' costumes while the Flames don Star Wars-themed jerseys to be auctioned off online through next weekend's home series against Adrian (Mich.) College.

All-time series: The Flames still hold an 8-3-2 lead, even after being swept at Niagara the past two seasons.

Liberty Scouting Report: The Flames feature extremely balanced offensive production with seven double-digit scorers — DeBrito (8 goals, 2 game-winning goals, 15 assists) and fellow senior forward Ryan Finch (13G, 2GWG, 7A), junior forward Luke Munroe (10G, 2GWG, 9A), junior defenseman Nick Pomerleau (2G, 17A), Essenmacher (8G, 3GWG, 7A) and fellow sophomore forward Liam Cox-Smith (3G, 10A), and senior forward and head captain Sam Feamster (2G, 8A).

Between the pipes, Kausch (8-3, 3.09 goals-against average, 89.7 save percentage, 1 shutout) and senior Nick Bernstein (6-3, 2.53 GAA, 91.5 SP) anchor the defense.

Niagara Scouting Report: The Purple Eagles feature even more balanced scoring with 13 players reaching double figures paced by forward Charlie Belanger (14G, 5GWG, 13A).

In net, Niagara's Jacob Dubinsky (10-4, 2.08 GAA, 92.6 SP, 2 SO) and Jackson Pundyk (4-0, 1.24 GAA, 96.3 SP, 1 SO) have been equally effective in damming up Niagara's net.

Coaches: Handy is in his 26th season as head coach for the Flames, with a career record of 576-234-38. He guided Liberty to its ninth consecutive national tournament appearance last March, when it made its third trip to the Final Four in five seasons. Tom Mooradian is in his sixth season at the Purple Eagles' helm and boasts a 96-37-6 mark.

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer