Icepack Defeat Tar Heels 4-1 in first game of rivalry series

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State beat North Carolina 4-1 in Friday night to open its home-and-home rivalry series and take momentum into Saturday’s matchup at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro. 

BOX SCORE  | SKATER STATS | HIGHLIGHTS

Jack Ammons put the Icepack on the board just 1:21 into the game with an unassisted goal off a steal. The opening period set a scrappy, fast-paced tone that carried through the night. 

Erik Dahlin extended the lead late in the second period on assists from Ammons and Holden Koufman. UNC quickly answered to cut the deficit to 2-1 entering the third.  

The final period featured physical play and several scuffles. Daniel Prazma added NC State’s third goal off assists from Joey Gouveia and Zach Herman, and Reece Johnson sealed the win with an empty-netter. 

Goaltender Ethan Roberts praised his teammates after the game. “I’m glad they had my back,” Roberts said. “They went out there, scored a couple and got the W.” Looking to Saturday, he said the key to a series sweep is “to play a full 60.” 

Head coach Tim Healy noted the atmosphere, with tickets sold out in advance for the first time in program history. “Tonight was really the kind of fulfillment of a vision that a lot of us have been working on for a long time,” Healy said. “That was a red house tonight. That was 90% red. NC State fans always show out. You know, tonight like this, that really makes you proud to be a part of it.”

NC State travels to Greensboro on Saturday for the second game of the series at First Horizon Coliseum. The Icepack’s game will precede the ECHL Greensboro Gargoyles matchup. Tickers for the game can be purchased here, and it will be streamed on ESPN+.