By Thomas Overton November 15th, 2018
The #6 Icepack (13-0, 5-0 ACCHL) added another game to its season winning streak Friday night in front of a capacity crowd at the Raleigh Iceplex defeating Wake Forest by a score of 10-0. After last weekend’s road wins at #4 Delaware and #12 Georgetown, State was able to avoid a let-down game. The Pack scored in bunches as they were able to take their revenge on the Deacs, who eliminated State from last season’s ACCHL Tournament in the semifinals.
State started with an early goal from right winger Laythe Jadallah to take a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. Goalie Joey Hall made some excellent saves early to keep the Pack ahead as the Deacs were trying to even the tally. In the first period the Demon Deacons were able to get the puck in between Hall and the goal on multiple occasions, but never were able to find the back of the net. The senior from Rockville, Maryland, played a spectacular game as the Pack’s leading goaltender.
Kal Maier picked up the loss for the Deamon Deacons (4-2-1 ACCHL) in their first contest since a win against West Virginia three weeks ago. Wake Forest found themselves in the defensive zone for most of the game, trying to keep the game within reach. The Deacs, still atop the western Carolina division of the ACCHL, were without their leading goal scorer Andrew Gebhardt and multiple supporters as they struggled throughout the game with their offensive production.
NC State had the first power play opportunity for either team toward the end of the first period. The Pack struggled to get the puck into the offensive zone as Wake Forest was able to ice the puck for free being down a man. Over a minute into the power play the Pack was able to get the puck into the zone. They were patient and created multiple scoring opportunities, but the Deacons were able to keep the puck out of the net as they continued their great defensive play and kept it a one goal game.
In only a matter of moments following the penalty kill, the Icepack were about to get another chance on the man-advantage as a boarding penalty was called on the Deacs with only 52 seconds left in the period.
NC State started the second period on the man advantage. This time the power play looked much better from the Pack, but still produced no results. The defensive play from Wake Forest continued to be their strongsuit as the Pack had the advantage in time of possession, but could not add to their one goal lead.
The aggressive play by the Icepack paid off as Jadallah added another goal for the Pack, his second of the night. A mishandled puck by the Deacs lead Jadallah to take it around the back of the net and throw the puck right over the should of Maier. Sam Banasiewicz added his second assist of the night as the duo seemed to be the only answer for the great defensive play from Wake.
NC State committed its first penalty of the game with five and a half minutes left in the second period on a tripping call. The Pack’s defense was on display as they limited the Deac’s opportunities on the man advantage. Joey Hall made a great diving save in front of his net that finished with some activity after the whistle. Both teams had a player sent to the penalty box after the skirmish. Seconds after the power play continued for Wake Forest, the Pack was called for another penalty.
The Icepack was able to kill off the original penalty, but yet another penalty was called. The Pack found themselves playing down at least one man for upwards of five minutes. Joey Hall was State’s best defensive player during the stretch, not allowing Wake Forest to score. NC State was bailed out of finishing the kill as a cross-check was called on the Deacons.
Just like the in the second period, State started the third period on the man advantage. The Pack converted on their first power play as Laythe Jadallah scored a hat trick just 42 seconds into the period. Jadallah took the puck right to the front of the net and after two great saves from Maier, he was able to get it past the Deac’s goaltender on his third shot.
Wake Forest committed another penalty and the floodgates opened for the Pack as Riley Johnson scored at the 2:32 mark. Joey Hall continued his excellent play all night as the Pack was able to put the Deac’s away early in the third period.
A fifth goal was netted by the Pack’s Alex Robinson on a beautiful pass from Ellis Rushford with still eleven minutes to play. Parker Szarek added the fourth of the period for the Pack as he beat everyone to the loose puck on his way to the net. Laythe Jadallah netted his fourth and fifth goals of the night for the Pack in less than a minute of play. Tyler Alfonzetti scored one minute later to make it 9-0. Just when you thought it was over, Ellis Rushford added his second of the night with just 45 seconds left as the Pack reached double digits for the second game in a row.
When the final horn blew, it was a big relief for Kal Maier. Wake Forest could never get anything going offensively, and NC State’s constant pressure in the third was too much for the Deacs. Joey Hall denied any chance of a Demon Deacons goal, and the Pack took their revenge that was months in the waiting. They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and it was a cold night in Raleigh indeed.