NC State, UNC meet in rivalry week home-and-home series

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State faces rival UNC in a home-and-home series. 

The Icepack hosts the first game Friday night at Invisalign Arena. The series shifts to Greensboro on Saturday for the Tar Heels' home game at First Horizon Coliseum, home to the newest ECHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, the Greensboro Gargoyles. 

The rivalry between the Icepack and Tar Heels is long-established, with multiple meetings each season. This weekend marks the first two of three games for the 2025-26 season. 

Sophomore defenseman Tait Sawden said the UNC matchup brings a unique intensity. “It was really high energy, and it was a different type of atmosphere that's tough to match in other games,” Sawden said. “The atmosphere is different. They step up their game, and we step up our game as well.”

NC State expects a strong crowd for Friday’s home game before heading on the road Saturday. “Our home games against UNC are so fun as it is,” Sawden said. “Greensboro will definitely be a different atmosphere – potentially playing in front of more people in a different stadium.”

Sawden said the Icepack’s focus will be on “sticking to what we do well: playing good five-on-five, locking down on defense, and chipping away, scoring greasy goals.” 

Puck drop Friday is set for 8 p.m., and the game can be streamed on ESPN+. Saturday’s game at the First Horizon Coliseum starts at 2 p.m. and will also be streamed on ESPN+. A ticket for Saturday’s game also includes admission to the Greensboro Gargoyles’ matchup against the Reading Royals, which follows the Icepack-Tar Heels game.