Weekend Recap: Hokies Split Opening Series with Flames

BLACKSBURG, V.A. - The first weekend of the 2025-26 Virginia Tech Men's Ice Hockey season saw the Hokies square off against in-state rival Liberty for the first time in seven years. In what presented itself as an intense two-game series, Tech battled it out until the very end, splitting wins with the Flames.

Friday night's season opener at the Lot welcomed the Hokies' 40th season as a program to the ice. In picking right where the team left off a season ago, the dynamic duo of junior Kam Khazai and graduate senior Gavin Peduzzi connected on a Khazai goal in the first period to provide the Hokies' first goal of the season. In what was an offensive showcase from both sides, the first period was all about finding footing for Tech as they took a 1-0 lead heading into the second.

Unfortunately, Liberty would respond quickly in the middle period, scoring back-to-back goals five minutes in off the sticks of Glen Farmer and Eric Abbate. The 2-1 lead, however, for the Flames would sustain for a short time as an interference call set up a perfectly executed Hokies power play that resulted from a Gavin Nau goal, the first in his college career. Liberty would storm back late with just over a minute to go with a goal from Ben Kovac to send the Flames up 3-2 heading into the third period.

The Flames' defense was stout in the final 18 minutes of Friday's game as goaltender CJ Sehlke put on a fantastic performance against the high-powered Hokies' offense. On the other side, fifth-year senior Ian Kee was just as strong, putting on a save clinic against the former number two-ranked team in the region. Fortunately for Tech, a Gavin Peduzzi goal with 1:54 remaining in the game evened things up 3-3, and a critical tripping penalty against Liberty set the Hokies up with a prime opportunity to capitalize late. A snapshot from Bryan Rice tipped by Ethan Garlock into the net with 15 seconds remaining, was all the Hokies needed to escape Liberty 4-3, starting the season 1-0 for the first time since the 2023-24 season. The victory marked Tech's first win against the Flames since the 2012-13 season, when they began a 16-game losing streak that also broke on Friday Night.

The weekend was far from over, however, as the Hokies had to travel early Saturday afternoon to Lynchburg to rematch with the Flames. Unlike Friday's game, it was Liberty who got on the board first with a Jared Matley goal. The Hokies would respond with two of their own, a tip-in power-play goal by Ethan Garlock and a Liberty own-goal that was last touched by Zack Stewart.

The second period was all Flames as Mark Padgett and Glen Farmer connected on goals past sophomore goaltender Tucker Forrest. Saturday's game was more physical, and as such, it was evidenced by frequent penalties and big hits from both sides. After the middle period, the Hokies were down 3-2, feelings of deja vu creeping in from the night prior in chasing down the Flames. That said, Liberty would continue their momentum with their third straight goal by Farmer to extend the lead to 4-2. Needing another late miracle, with 2:21 remaining, Ethan Garlock connected once again off a faceoff to get the Hokies within one score.

Down to the final minute and their net emptied, Tech scored off a Bryan Rice shot from the point, tying the game with 58 seconds on the clock. Rice's goal not only signified a memorable moment in the team's first two games, but also the program's history in back-to-back nights with game-winning or game-tying goals in the final two minutes of play. With the score 4-4, neither team would be able to generate anything on offense, leading to overtime.

After several chances of winning the game on the offensive end, as well as a game-saving stop by Forrest on the other end, both teams had to settle for a result in a shootout. This marked the Hokies' first shootout since the 2022-23 season when they hosted Ohio State and won. Unfortunately, Liberty struck gold in their first attempt and was all they needed as Tech went 0-2 against Flames netminder Andrew Young, who became a brick wall in the clutch.

With the shootout loss, the Hokies concluded the first weekend of their season 1-0-1, with a home weekend series coming up in two weeks against Tennessee and North Carolina State. That said, there are plenty of positives to come out of this past Friday and Saturday nights, especially since this was the first time the team played together as a unit. Offensively, there is potential for another great statistical season as the Hokies had a total of 103 shots in two games against the Flames. On the defensive side, players are stepping up hugely, especially with the veteran presences on all three lines and at net.

This is only the start of a long road for the Hokies as they will take this upcoming week to refine their game before next weekend's matchups, in which many will have their eyes on.