Icepack faces Navy at Home and Fort Bragg

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+.