 FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – NC State split its series with the U.S. Naval Academy after a 6-2 loss at Fort Bragg in Saturday’s matinee.
Nick Shook and Jack Ray both returned to Cleland Ice Rink, where they’ve previously played, both starting for the Icepack. Ethan Roberts also got the start in goal in his return to Fort Bragg, where he has played before and his dad previously served. The first period was physical and fast-paced, carrying over the intensity from Friday night’s matchup. Despite some scrums and several heavy hits, no penalties were called in the opening period. Ray scored his first goal with the Icepack with 10 seconds remaining in the period, giving NC State a 1-0 lead. Zach Herman and Jack Ammons assisted on the goal. The Midshipmen tied the game early in the second period. Nick Librizzi was called for tripping, and Erik Dahlin joined him in the penalty box just over a minute later, forcing NC State to defend a 54-second two-man disadvantage. The Icepack killed off the remainder of Librizzi’s penalty, but Navy scored on the remainder of their power play to take the lead. The Midshipmen added another goal two minutes later and carried a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Daniel Prazma scored less than a minute into the third period to pull NC State within one, but Navy responded with two goals shortly after. Isaac Tawyer replaced Roberts in goal with 6:51 remaining. NC State later pulled Tawyer for an extra attacker, and Butler Chessen completed a hat trick with an empty-net goal. The Icepack generated several scoring chances but were unable to convert consistently. NC State finished the weekend with a split after shutting out the Midshipmen on Friday night.
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 RALEIGH, N.C. – The Icepack had a dominant 5-0 showing against the U.S. Naval Academy, with goaltender Pieter Bartelse recording his first Icepack career shutout. BOX SCORE | SKATER STATS | HIGHLIGHTS Jake Gifford opened the scoring for the Icepack two minutes into the first period off an assist from Joey Gouveia. Offsetting penalties then sent the game to 4-on-4, where Bartelse posted a big save to keep the Midshipmen scoreless. Gouveia followed by scoring his own goal for NC State, with Daniel Prazma adding the Icepack’s second goal in two minutes to head into the first intermission up 3-0. The second period was scoreless, showcasing the Naval Academy’s fast face and quick shift changes against NC State’s own fast pace. There were a few stoppages in the frame, including one additional 4-on-4 period in which neither team was able to capitalize. In the third period, the Icepack tallied two more goals, with both Gian Khani and Reece Johnson scoring. Khani’s goal came off offense generated by Austin Finch and Johnson’s on the power play from Nick Librizzi. The Icepack had a strong overall showing, with good offensive chances generated from disrupting passes and getting into Navy’s passing lanes, as well as cohesive play on both special teams. Bartelse saved 28 shots on goal to backstop the performance. NC State and Navy rematch in a Saturday matinee at the Cleland Ice Rink on Fort Bragg. The Icepack will be looking to deliver another strong performance to sweep the series.  RALEIGH, N.C. – The Icepack will face Navy for the first time since February 2015 in a two-game home series this weekend.
The Icepack will host the U.S. Naval Academy on Friday night at Invisalign Arena before both teams travel Saturday to Fort Bragg, an Army base near Fayetteville, N.C., for the second game of the series. NC State will wear camo jerseys for Saturday’s matchup. The Midshipmen are 9-10-1 this season, two of their wins coming in shootouts. Navy and NC State share common opponents in West Virginia, West Chester, and Temple. The Midshipmen were swept by West Virginia, which the Icepack swept in October; beat West Chester 5-2 after NC State lost to the Rams 8-4 last Saturday; and split a series with Temple, which the Icepack beat 3-1 last Friday. Although the programs have not met in a decade, NC State has recent experience playing at Fort Bragg. During the 2024-25 season, when the base was called Fort Liberty, the Icepack defeated the United States Military Academy 6-5 in overtime. Freshman defenseman Cam Smith did not play in last year’s game but said he has heard about the atmosphere from the returning players. “I heard that it’s been a very good environment, that it’s been loud the past few years,” Smith said. “I’m very excited to play there.” Smith said the Icepack plans to use its speed against a physical Navy team and credited the team’s inclusive environment for helping his play. “It’s easy to be myself out there,” he said. Friday’s game is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. puck drop at Invisalign Arena. Saturday’s game will be played at Fort Bragg, with tickets available at the door for a 2:30 p.m. puck drop. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.  RALEIGH, N.C. – The Icepack fell to West Chester 8-4 in a late-night, high-scoring matchup Saturday. BOX SCORE | SKATER STATS | HIGHLIGHTS West Chester set the tone early, scoring twice in the opening 12 minutes to jump out to a fast start. Ben Paterson set up Austin Finch on a rush to make it 2-1 with less than two minutes remaining. Daniel Prazma tied it 50 seconds later to send the game into intermission equal. NC State took its first lead of the night early in the second period when Brandon Raleigh tipped in a shot for his first career goal with the Icepack. Raleigh also scored in December’s Canes Alumni exhibition against former Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward, but Saturday’s goal marked his first in an official capacity. The Rams responded with three consecutive goals to regain the lead before Joey Gouveia scored 23 seconds after West Chester’s most recent goal, cutting the deficit to one goal late in the second period. West Chester pulled away in the third period with three more goals, including a hat trick from Logan Myers. Reece Johnson rang a shot off the underside of the crossbar during 4-on-4 play, but the puck stayed out as the Icepack were held scoreless in the third period. Both teams finished with four power play opportunities. West Chester converted twice, while NC State went 0-for-4. The Icepack closed the weekend with a 1-1 record in nonconference play.  RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State opened its seven-game homestand with a 3-1 win over Temple on Friday night.
BOX SCORE | SKATER STATS | HIGHLIGHTS Daniel Prazma scored the game’s first goal, weaving through the Temple defense to score an unassisted goal, his 13th of the season. The Icepack earned two power play opportunities in the opening period but failed to convert, though they limited the Owls to three shots on goal in the first. The second period was quieter for both teams, with one penalty assessed to the Owls and few stoppages. With 37 seconds remaining in the period, Aidan Raedy set up Holden Koufman at the net front, where Koufman redirected the puck for NC State’s second goal. Temple put itself on the board midway through the third period by poking the puck past the defense and through the skates of goaltender Pieter Bartelse. The goal dislodged the net from its posts during the play. The Owls pulled their goaltender in the final minute, but Koufman intercepted a pass and scored into the empty net with seven seconds remaining to seal the win. Nick Shook made his season debut after returning from abroad, adding more depth and playmaking ability to the Icepack lineup. While the score might not reflect the difference between the Icepack and the Owls, NC State controlled much of the play throughout the matchup, generating quality scoring opportunities. |
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