Icepack Set To Open the Season With Rivals UNC-Chapel Hill and Liberty

The Icepack open the 2021-2022 campaign with a home and away set against UNC-Chapel Hill Friday at Wake Competition Center and Saturday against Liberty's D1 team at LaHaye Center in Lynchburg, VA.  The Icepack and Tar Heels regularly draw the largest crowds in the Carolinas for hockey and Friday should be no different as the Icepack welcome the public to their new home for the first time.  Over the last three seasons a fierce rivalry has been cemented with Liberty's D2 team, the Icepack look to extend the rivalry against their D1 team for the second time.  

UNC-Chapel Hill-Icepack Preview
Current Records: Icepack (0-0) UNC Chapel Hill (2-1)
Last Season: Icepack went 12-7-1, making it to the elite eight before falling to eventual National Champion University of Mary.  UNC-Chapel Hill did not play due to Covid-19.
Last Meeting: 1/28/20 Icepack win 9-3
Location: 9/17 Wake Competition Center, Morrisville, NC 7:45 pm.  Tickets can be purchased here.
Game Preview
UNC-Chapel Hill makes the short trip down I-40 to Wake Competition Center as a confident unit after two wins against non-league foes Dennison College (6-2) and Lewis University (4-3) plus a tight lost to East Texas Baptist University (6-5).  The Tar Heels are led by junior goalie Will Douthit who took home ACCHL goalie of the year honors in his freshmen campaign.  Returners Chris Adamson and Patrick Kramer provide and offensive spark for the Tar Heels.  The keys for the Icepack will be to solve Douthit and keep Kramer and Adamson in check, who were explosive last weekend. 
Liberty University Flames M1 - Icepack Preview
Current Records: Icepack (0-0) Liberty (0-0)
Last Season: Liberty went 11-5 before falling in the ACHA D1 Frozen Four.  They also knocked off NCAA D1 Long Island University.
Last Meeting: 10/23/20 Liberty win 7-2
Location: 9/18 Lahaye Ice Center, Lynchburg, VA 10:00 pm.  Tickets can be purchased here.
Game Preview
The Icepack will have to contend with what will likely be their toughest test of the of the season, on the road at LaHaye Ice Center.  Liberty boasts key returners at all positions joined by 11 newcomers.  Leading the charge on the blueline for the Flames is Captain Colin Baird.  Up front the Flames return DJ Shewnke, Kris Bladen and Brett Gammer as a line, while NCAA D3 transfer Kam Ottenbreit will be one to watch.  A key for this game for the Icepack will be if the returning chemistry of their returning their top ten forwards can create an advantage against Liberty's newcomer laden lineup.