Men’s D1 Hockey Begins 2021 Campaign
The Liberty Flames Division I men’s ice hockey team opened its 2021 spring season Jan. 22-23, splitting a two-game series with an NCAA Division I opponent: the Long Island Sharks.
After COVID-19 cut the Flames fall season to only three games and canceled their spring season opening series against Maryville University, Head Coach Kirk Handy was grateful to have his team back on the ice to finally start the season.
“It’s been a little chaotic,” Handy said, referencing scheduling for the spring season. “But it’s been a great opportunity to play some new teams. With the chaos comes great opportunities.”
Both Handy and the players had to adapt during the break to schedule changes and uncertainty surrounding the season. Preparing for the spring meant preparing the team to be flexible.
“We just have to stay on our toes,” Handy said. “It’s almost like we have the bus ready in the parking lot.”
For example, Liberty had plans cancelled to play the University of Delaware and New York University and then had the Maryville cancellation before finally opening its spring schedule against Long Island.
“We’re just taking it one day at a time,” senior Quinn Ryan said. “The schedule has changed multiple times. I don’t even know how many. So (we have) a short mindset. Just get better within each day.”
Along with scheduling uncertainty, the team has also adapted practices and games to work within COVID-19 regulations. The team splits the rink during practices, uses different workout groups and compartmentalizes the team as much as possible, Handy said.
Fans will also not be allowed to watch games at the LaHaye Ice Center this season. Instead, fans can listen to the Liberty Flames Sports Network’s (LFSN) live broadcasts of home games. Additionally, they can purchase life-sized cardboard cutouts of themselves to be placed in the stands to support the Division I Flames.
Due to the lack of fans, the team plans to create its own energy as well as capitalize on every opportunity that the season brings. With the uncertainties of COVID-19, any game could be the end of the season.
“With this pandemic, you have to show up at the rink ready to work,” senior Cole Gammer said. “You’re only as good as your last game or your last day of practice.”
Fans will also not be allowed to watch games at the LaHaye Ice Center this season. Instead, fans can listen to the Liberty Flames Sports Network’s (LFSN’s) live broadcasts of home games. Additionally, they can purchase life-sized cardboard cutouts of themselves to be placed in the stands to support the Division I Flames.
Due to the lack of fans, the Flames plan to create their own energy as well as capitalize on every opportunity that the season brings. With the uncertainties of COVID-19, any game could be their last.
“With this pandemic, you have to show up at the rink ready to work,” senior Cole Gammer said. “You’re only as good as your last game or your last day of practice.”
Liberty’s fall season ended on a sour note, however, with Adrian College sweeping the Flames in mid-November in a two-game series, including a shutout loss in the second game of the series. With that tough ending, beating a DI team will be the sort of start to the spring the Flames wanted.
“It was a bit of a wakeup call,” Gammer said about the loss. “It was hard going into Christmas break with that loss. We only had that game to think about the whole break. It kept us really motivated. We have to train that much harder.”
“I think we were pretty comfortable with where we were at,” Ryan said. “It motivated us through break and the beginning of this semester that we really need to put some work in and do our best every day and not take any days off.”
The Flames will need the motivation as they face Division I opponents like Ohio University and Missouri State on the road to the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League (ESCHL) playoffs and the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Championship in April, pending more schedule changes.
The team boasts 12 upperclassmen on the roster in its final season of ESCHL play. The Flames are looking for their fourth ESCHL regular season title and fourth tournament crown in five years before becoming an independent program in the offseason.
Despite the changes and potential cancellations, Handy and his players feel good about where the season is headed.
“We came back in good shape,” Handy said. “And our guys played two tough games on the weekend against Long Island. I feel like we’re in a real good spot to have a real successful semester.”
“We feel pretty good, but we can’t be complacent,” Ryan said. “We still have a lot of work to do. We have a lot to look forward to, and we have to keep building.”
The Flames will be back on the ice again Feb. 8-9 for a two-game series at Ohio University.
Sarah Tate is a Sports Reporter.