Flames scorch Icepack in opener of home-and-home series near Raleigh, N.C.

Friday, September 25

Raleigh, NC

7:45 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

NC State University

Flames graduate forward and alternate captain Tucker Shields controls the puck in a game against the Icepack last season at the LaHaye Ice Center. (Photo by Travis Clayton)

Flames scorch Icepack in opener of home-and-home series near Raleigh, N.C.

9/25/2026 11:24:00 PM | Men's D1 Hockey

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Liberty’s Mason Smith and Tucker Shields both netted one goal and one assist, and Tanner Hunt distributed two assists in the 5-1 triumph, setting up Saturday’s 7 p.m. rematch at the LIC.

Liberty University's ACHA Division I men's hockey team had five different goal scorers in a dominant 5-1 triumph over North Carolina State in its first game away from the friendly confines of the LaHaye Ice Center, Friday night at the Lane Arena at Wake Competition Center in Morrisville, N.C.

The No. 7-ranked Flames (3-0) outshot the Icepack (1-4) by a 43-15 margin, including 18-2 in the third period when they tacked on two extra insurance scores.

Liberty netted two goals in the first period, sparked by freshman forward Stone Rolston at the 16:22 mark. He scored his first goal as a Flame off assists from sophomore transfer Zach Nicholas and graduate defenseman and alternate captain Nick Pomerleau. Less than five minutes later, senior defenseman Mason Smith converted his second game-winning goal in a row off an assist from sophomore forward Tanner Hunt — Liberty's leading scorer through three games with a goal and five assists — for a 2-0 lead.

Sophomore forward Seth Wall stretched the Flames' advantage to 3-0 at the 15:46 mark of the second period off assists from Smith and graduate forward and alternate captain Tucker Shields.

"It was a super nice play by Mason Smith, and Wall made a real nice play around the goal and scored," Liberty Head Coach Kirk Handy said.

Freshman goalie Austin Calley (2-0, 0.50 goals-against average) had his bid for a second shutout in as many starts for the Flames ended by forward Jack Ammons, who finished an assist from defenseman Jack Ray with 14:15 remaining in the second period to cut NC State's deficit to 3-1.

"Overall, we played pretty strong defensively," Handy said. "There were a few times when had some letdowns, but overall, our guys played pretty well in our D zone, and Caley played well. He was steady for us."

Liberty senior forward Brad Barker ended a 27½-minutes scoring drought and extended the advantage to 4-1 with an unassisted goal on a low shot with 6:43 to play in the third period. It was his second goal in two games, one shy of his total through 23 games last season.

"Barker's chipping in," Handy said. "We had some opportunities to shoot the puck in the second period, and we got away from it. I'd like to be more determined around the net to shoot."

Shields capped the scoring on a power play off an assist from sophomore defenseman Shane Burns with 2:04 to go.

"To get the power play goal was nice, and our scoring was spread out well," Handy said. "That's what we count on. Right now, we are looking to be consistent in our play throughout the lineup."

The Flames return to the LIC for the rematch on Saturday, when the puck will drop at 7 p.m., and the game will again be streamed live on ESPN+.

"We want to play consistently over both games this weekend," Handy said. "That's a big priority for us."

They will have to do it without Barker and sophomore defenseman Michael Fischer, who will both serve one-game suspensions along with a couple of NC State players due to late-game altercations that led to disqualifications.

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer