NC State Drops Game to Louisville

LOUISVILLE, KY. – NC State fell 4-2 to Louisville in the opening game of its weekend series.

BOX SCORE | SKATER STATS

The Cardinals struck first midway through the opening period. The remainder of the period was played without penalties or additional scoring, sending the teams into intermission with Louisville leading 1-0. 

NC State took two early penalties in the second period but successfully killed off a Louisville 5-on-3 advantage. Seconds after the power play expired, the Cardinals extended their lead with a second goal. 

Jake Gifford answered to put the Icepack on the board, assisted by Reece Johnson. The period concluded with 4-on-4 play that neither team capitalized on. 

Louisville added a power play goal in the third period to make it 3-1 and scored again in the final five minutes. NC State pulled goaltender Pieter Bartelse with two minutes remaining to gain an extra attacker. A late Louisville penalty created a two-man advantage, and Joey Gouveia scored on the power play with under a minute to play for the Icepack’s second goal. 

Brendan Seppey, an Icepack alum from the class of 2020 and a two-time ACCHL champion, delivered the starting line read before Friday’s game.  

NC State will face Louisville again Saturday at 10 p.m. at Iceland Sports Complex.