Icepack drops three in north dakota

Image courtesy of Taylor Schmitt Photography.

BISMARCK/JAMESTOWN, ND — NC State opened the second half of its season with a three-game road trip through North Dakota, facing two top-10 opponents in its first season competing at the Division 1 level. 

Following the winter break and nearly a month without competition, the Icepack traveled to Bismarck for a two-game series against No. 10 University of Mary before concluding the trip Monday in Jamestown against No. 6 University of Jamestown. NC State went 0-3 on the weekend but delivered competitive performances throughout. 

Icepack at University of Mary – Jan. 3 | BOX SCORE

In the opener on Friday, Daniel Prazma scored on the power play to give NC State an early lead, converting his 12th goal of the season with an assist from Andrew Throndson. University of Mary answered later in the period to tie the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission. 

The second period remained scoreless as both teams played strong defense. Jake Lipani recorded several key shot blocks in front of goaltender Ethan Roberts, and the Icepack successfully killed off two University of Mary power plays. 

University of Mary pulled ahead early in the third period on the power play and later added a shorthanded goal and an even-strength goal to secure a 4-1 victory. Roberts finished with 46 saves in the loss. 

Icepack at University of Mary – Jan. 4 | BOX SCORE
NC State returned to the ice Saturday afternoon for the second game of the series. The University of Mary built an early lead with four goals in the first period before both teams were held scoreless in the second. 

Jack Ammons broke the Icepack’s scoreless streak midway through the third period, assisted by Reece Johnson. The Marauders responded shortly after, but Austin Finch answered for NC State less than a minute later. University of Mary’s Dain Sardelli completed a hat trick late in the period before Johnson scored on a 4-on-3 power play, assisted by Ammons and Prazma. 

Isaac Tawyer made 48 saves in the net as the Icepack fell 6-3. The physical matchup included 25 combined penalty minutes. 

Icepack at University of Jamestown – Jan. 5 | BOX SCORE

NC State wrapped up the trip Monday night against No. 6 University of Jamestown. Joey Gouveia opened the scoring in the first period, but the Jimmies tied the game before the first intermission.

Jamestown scored three unanswered goals in the second period, including a shorthanded goal, and added three more in the third to pull away. Ammons intercepted a puck during a Jamestown power play and converted on the breakaway for the Icepack’s second goal of the night. 

Ethan Roberts was back in the net and stopped 40 shots to close out a demanding weekend.

Despite leaving North Dakota winless, NC State put forth strong performances against two top-10 opponents. Roberts and Tawyer combined for 134 saves across three games, as the icepack continued to gain experience and test its depth in its first Division 1 season.