Icepack Defeats Alabama 3-2 in First Game of Series

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – NC State beat Alabama 3-2 on Thursday in the first game of its weekend road series.

BOX SCORE | SKATER STATS

Freshman forward Ben Paterson opened the scoring less than two minutes into the game off assists from Daniel Prazma and Reece Johnson – his first career goal with the Icepack. Just over two minutes later, Holden Koufman added another off an assist from Erik Dahlin. Austin Finch scored NC State’s third goal within five minutes, assisted by Gian Khani. 

Alabama got on the board with 11 minutes left in the first period, sending the game into the first intermission at 3-1. 

The second period was scoreless, but gave the Icepack its first power play opportunity with less than two minutes remaining. 

Alabama struck again in the third period to cut the deficit to 3-2, but the Icepack killed off three power plays and held strong during a minute and a half of 6-on-5 play after the Tide pulled their goaltender. 

NC State and Alabama will meet again on Friday at 3 p.m. CST at the Pelham Civic Complex to close out the series.