NC State fell to No. 4 Liberty 4-2 in the opener of a home-and-home series

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Icepack fell to No. 4 Liberty, 4-2, on Friday night in the first game of a home-and-home series. 

BOX SCORE  | SKATER STATS | HIGHLIGHTS

Liberty struck first, establishing control over the pace early. The Icepack responded midway through the first period when Nick Librizzi scored on a power play, assisted by Aidan Raedy and Erik Dahlin. Less than two minutes later, Liberty answered with two goals in 33 seconds to take a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission. 

“The game is really fast-paced,” Librizzi told ESPN+ during the break. “If we are half a step quicker, we will be able to break up their plays and have some more offense for ourselves.”

The Flames extended their lead less than a minute into the second period, then later added a power-play goal after a roughing penalty on Jake Lipani. Despite the score, NC State settled in and created more offensive pressure during the period. 

Reece Johnson trimmed Liberty’s lead to 4-1 midway through the third with his first goal of the season. Goaltender Ethan Roberts was pulled in the final two minutes to add an extra skater, but the Icepack was unable to close the gap. 

Despite the loss, NC State showed improvement against a top Division 1 opponent as the game progressed. 
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The Icepack returns tonight, playing Liberty away in Lynchburg, Va. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m., with the game streaming on ESPN+.