Tar Heels Stun NC State IcePack In 6-5 Shootout Win
By Caleb Herrera (@calebherrera_)
MORRISVILLE, N.C. – Tar Heel Hockey climbed back from deficits of 4-1 and 5-3 to deliver a heartbreaker for fans in red inside Invisalign arena, defeating the IcePack in a 6-5 shootout win and ending their seven-game winning streak.
The Tar Heels wasted no time, opening the scoring just 3:24 into the first period as Nick Ansbacher redirected Jack Gleason’s shot from the point, slipping it past goaltender Isaac Tawyer on UNC’s first shot of the game. NC State quickly answered just 1:17 later, with Scott Daniel breaking free and firing a shot from the left faceoff circle, beating Lucas Brown to tie the game on the IcePack’s first shot.
At 8:29, Daniel Prazma capitalized on a rebound for a powerplay goal after a too many men on the ice penalty from UNC. The IcePack continued their offensive onslaught with goals from Joey Gouveia at 13:32 and a buzzer beater 4-on-4 goal from Reece Johnson, heading into the second period with a 4-1 lead.
UNC noticeably had more energy in the second period with a goal at 2:44 from Nic Gingras, who capitalized on an IcePack line change to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
Cam Glonek scored on the powerplay at 6:21 to cut NC State’s lead to one until the puck found IcePack’s Holden Koufman 1:40 later to make the score 5-3.
In the third period, the Tar Heels’ Will Smith scored on the wrap-around attempt at 4:19 to once again decrease State’s lead to one goal. With 9:50 remaining in regulation, Patrick O’Shaughnessy got the puck to squeak by Isaac Tawyer to tie the game 5-5.
The pace of play ramped up in the final seven minutes of play with incredible back-and-forth offensive chances from both teams, leading into overtime.
O’Shaughnessy, Kevin Ma and Smith began the 3-on-3 contest, however neither team could score in the time allotted, which led to a shootout.
In the shootout, Patrick O’Shaughnessy was the first shooter for UNC but was unable to score, followed by NC State’s Daniel Prazma, who also missed. Nic Gingras stepped up as UNC’s second shooter and found the back of the net, while NC State’s Nick Shook failed to respond.
Will Smith sealed the victory for the Tar Heels, capping off the comeback with a shootout win.
The resilience from the Tar Heel blue never waivered. Here’s what the team had to say about the win:
Patrick O’Shaughnessy
On the message after the first period: Yeah, it was crazy, like, we’re down 4-1. We did not have a great showing. But, you know, everyone in the room had that belief. Everyone just rallied together, said we got to be better. We know we can be better. And we were.
On how the team stayed resilient: I think just knowing what we’re capable of. We got a lot of talent in our room and a lot of guys work hard and do good things out there. So yeah, we all just had that belief in one another and as a team, that was a special comeback for sure.
On snapping State’s 7-0 streak: It’s ginormous for the team, for the program, for the belief obviously. State’s our biggest rival in our league so just unbelievable we were able to pull that off.
Nic Gingras
On scoring in tonight’s game: I mean, yeah I like I scored but the team did a lot. My first goal was obviously just a tap in from Zuke [Zukowski] so I mean, I couldn’t have done it without all my teammates and the energy they bring every game. So, you know, just feels good to score and help the team win.
On setting the tone after the first period: Yeah, I mean, our leadership group kind of sent the wrong message. I was just telling the boys too, like we got to take it a play at a time, a zone at a time, and win every shift and then we’re going to win the period, and the game worked out.
On winning a rivalry game: Oh, no it’s huge. I mean, we play our own game. We don’t worry too much about them, but obviously it feels good to beat a team like that. It was a big rival for us so it’s always fun.
Will Smith
On winning in first game against State: You know, it’s my first time playing in this rivalry, so it definitely felt good. The rivalry is definitely real. It felt good to get that one, for sure.
On Coach Rice: You know, I think it starts with Coach Rice. He comes in the locker room and tells us to do the little things right and then it’ll carry over on the scoreboard. We were getting pucks deep, getting across the red line so, it definitely helped out. Started with Coach Rice doing the little things right.
On adjustments made throughout the game: They’re a high compete team. So I think, just upping our battle, you know, upping our compete. I think that definitely helped.
On winning on enemy ice: I think that means a lot, you know especially taking a loss from us in their home. Their home crowd is electric here and we definitely silenced them, so I think that means a lot.
UNC Hockey’s will face Bowling Green State University next Friday, Oct. 18 back at the Orange County Sportsplex for another ‘Heels After Dark’ game. Tickets are available here.
