Icepack set for Military Appreciation Night and Outdoor Game

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State looks to secure another two wins against the University of Alabama this weekend after sweeping the Tide on their home ice last week. 

Friday marks Salute to Service night for the Icepack. NC State will face Alabama at Invisalign Arena at 8:30 p.m., with former Icepack player and veteran Ellis Rushford (Class of 2018-19) dropping the puck. The Icepack will wear their military appreciation camouflage jerseys for that game. 
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Senior Joey Gouveia recognized the significance of the occasion. “We get a chance to celebrate the ones who have sacrificed for us,” he said. “We appreciate them a lot and we want to give back to them.”

On Saturday, NC State and Alabama will play at Truist Field as part of the 704 Outdoor Face Off. Champ the Retriever, the official bat dog for the Durham Bulls and retriever of kicking tees for NC State Football,  will conduct the ceremonial puck drop at 7 p.m. 

“It’s awesome,” Gouveia said about playing at Truist. “It’s going to be a great experience for everyone involved. But at the end of the day, we need to walk away with the W.”

After winning both games in Birmingham last weekend, the Icepack has an opportunity to leverage its familiarity with Alabama’s style of play to adjust its strategy heading into the rematch. 

“We’ve definitely got to work on our penalty kill a little bit. We have to make sure that we can score 5-on-5 goals – that’s something we really haven’t done this year,” Gouveia listed. “Penalty kills and staying out of the box are big ones.”

Students attending Friday’s game at Invisalign Arena will receive free tickets to the annual Governor’s Cup game between NC State and UNC at Lenovo Center on Nov. 23. Active or retired military members will also receive free admission to Friday’s game by showing a valid ID at the door. Both games this weekend will be streamed on ESPN+.