West Virginia University opened up the Annual Jim Sapikowski Memorial Tournament Hosted by The University of North Carolina with a resounding 7-4 victory over the host Tar Heels.

Ben Monroe scored at 11:05 into the second period to make the score 4-2 West Virginia University and again while 3:34 into the third to make the score 5-3 West Virginia University and Ryan Agner, who also registered two goals and one assist, once again paced the offense for this exciting Mountaineers squad.

West Virginia University pulled out the victory even though it was hit with 16 penalty minutes. West Virginia University surpassed its usual scoring output this season. West Virginia University averages 4.4 goals per game.

West Virginia University additionally got points from Brian Dickman, who also tallied one goal and two assists. William Benincosa, who also had one goal and two assists, continued his inspired play recently and allowed the young talent to take control. Tyler Richardson, who tallied the opening goal on a long slapshot from outside the blueline, and two assists,. In addition, West Virginia University received assists from Kevin Arvay, who had three and Kenneth Knoll, Sean Meyer, Matthew Strober, and Connor Breinich, who each chipped in one.

North Carolina forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up six minors and one major for 17 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 14.0 minutes per game North Carolina had been spending in the box. North Carolina kept West Virginia University's goalie busy throughout the game, and Connor Cross made 37 saves on 41 shots.

North Carolina was led by Andrew Jordan, who finished with two goals. Jordan scored the first of his two goals at 11:55 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Brendan Radatovich assisted on the tally. Jordan's next tally made the score 3-2 West Virginia University with 10:00 left in the second period. Others who scored for North Carolina included Joseph Baglio and Vincent Boudreau, who each put in one. More assists for North Carolina came via Jonah Graffius, who had one.

West Virginia University registered one goal on six power play opportunities. North Carolina University's Trent Holmes stopped 24 shots out of the 30 that he faced. North Carolina University registered one goal on seven power play opportunities.