DI Flames seek to shore up special teams in weekend series against Blue Hens

Friday, October 9

7:00 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

University of Delaware

Sophomore defenseman Michael Fischer skates the puck between two Blue Hens in last September's series at the LaHaye Ice Center. (Photo by Grace Greer)

DI Flames seek to shore up special teams in weekend series against Blue Hens

10/8/2026 11:45:00 AM | Men's D1 Hockey

Liberty welcomes former ESCHL rival Delaware back to the LaHaye Ice Center with its second Country-themed Night on Friday at 7 p.m.

Off to a 5-0 start against mostly unranked opponents, Liberty University's ACHA Division I men's hockey team debuted at the No. 7 spot in this week's first national ranking, maintaining its preseason position.

The Flames will play two games at the LaHaye Ice Center over the same weekend for the first time this fall when they welcome unranked Delaware, a former ESCHL rival now competing in the ACCHL. Last Friday, the opener in the series against No. 15 Arizona was canceled due to a delay of the Wildcats' equipment shipment from Tempe, Ariz.

"I'm excited about this weekend, playing at home back-to-back for the first time this season," said junior forward Zach Nicolas, who scored the Flames' first two goals in last Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Wildcats. "We're off to a pretty good start, and we've got to keep it going, keep working on stuff, fine-tuning things. We're totally focusing in on this week. If we play our game, we'll be more than fine. I'm not too sure about (the Blue Hens), but it's not really about them. It's about us and how we prepare. If we play our best, nobody can stop us."

The same can be said of Nicolas' power forward line that includes freshman Stone Rolston and sophomore Seth Wall.

"I like playing with those guys," Nicolas said. "We get along great, and we've got some good chemistry. I just love playing with them. We're pretty much all big guys, so when we get it rolling and we get the body going, there's not much that people can do. I think we can go out there and make an impact. We've got big bodies, and we can wear teams down that way."

Liberty was shorthanded last week, playing without freshman forward David Utkin, sophomore forward and leading scorer Tanner Hunt, sophomore defenseman Shane Burns, and senior forward Michael DeBrito, all sidelined by injuries. All four players are out again this weekend, so the Flames will need to maximize their available roster.

"We've had a lot of injuries, but guys have stepped up," Nicolas said. "It would help if we could stay healthy, but we're a good team, we've got lots of depth, and I'm not worried about that. We'll have pretty much the same lineup as last week. We've got just enough healthy guys for a full (rotation of four lines)."

Scouting Preview, Games 6-7: Delaware (2-2) at No. 7 Liberty (4-0), Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. at the LaHaye Ice Center. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+. Flames fans are encouraged to break out their cowboy hats and boots and line dance their way to the LIC for a Country Night showdown on Friday. Saturday's rematch will mark the second round of the inaugural Hall Cup, with teams from various residence halls around campus competing head-to-head in fun games held on the ice during intermission with a prize pack awarded to the winning dorm teams at season's end.

All-time Series: Liberty leads 39-19-2 after sweeping Delaware in last season's series at the LIC on Sept. 24-25, 2025, The Flames had their 21-game winning streak against the Blue Hens snapped in Newark, Del., in October 2023.

Liberty Scouting Report: The Flames have outscored opponents by a 33-12 margin through five games this season, with their 21-goal differential tied for fourth in the nation behind only three of the top five-ranked teams in this week's poll — No. 1 defending ACHA Division I national champion Ohio University (+28), No. 2 Adrian College (+31), and No. 5 Niagara University (+24).

Besides Hunt (2 goals, 6 assists), Liberty's offense is fueled by graduate forward Ryan Finch (5G, 2A), senior defenseman Mason Smith (3G, 3A), graduate defenseman and alternate captain Nick Pomerleau (6A), and senior forwards Kal Essenmacher (3G, 2A) and alternate captain Luke Munroe (1G, 4A).

In goal, the Flames have platooned freshman Austin Caley (2-0, 0.50 goals-against average, 96.2 save percentage, 1 shutout) and junior Joe Kuchaslo (3-0, 3.67 GAA, 85.9 SP), a transfer from No. 8 Drury (Mo.) University.

Liberty has not been as efficient as in previous seasons on the power play, going 3-for-16 (18.8%), nor as effective on the penalty kill, stopping only 13 of 20 chances (65%).

Delaware Scouting Report: The Blue Hens have split their first two series at Oswego (N.Y.) State and at home against the Naval Academy. Eleven players have accounted for their 11 goals through four games this season, led by forward Daniel Garvin (1G, 2A), with five players recording one goal and one assist. Delaware has struggled even more than Liberty on special teams, going 0-for-6 on power-play opportunities and only killing off 3-of-7 penalties (42.9%).

In net, the Blue Hens have platooned Justin Bayers (1-1, 2.03 GAA, 93.5 SP) and Timothy Briley (1-1, 4.32 GAA, 89.3 SP).
Last season, Delaware was masterful in shootouts, winning all five contest that were decided after the 5-minute sudden-death overtime period.

Coaches: Kirk Handy, in his 27th season as Head Coach, has a career record of 586-240-39 since taking the helm of the Flames in 2000. He has led Liberty to 10 consecutive ACHA DI National Championship appearances and four Final Four appearances in the 20 seasons since the program was elevated to the ACHA Division I level in 2006-07. Handy is five wins away from tying former Lady Flames NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Head Coach Carey Green (591-240) as Liberty's all-time winningest coach at any level. Todd Middlemeier was promoted to Delaware's head coach in the middle of the 2018-19 season and has compiled a 136-97-15 record in eight seasons behind the bench.

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