
Carolina Sled Hockey Battles Through First SESHL Tournament of 2025
Carolina Sled Hockey kicked off the 2025 South East Sled Hockey League (SESHL) season in Charleston, SC, facing off against the Charleston Warriors, Orlando Sled Bears, Queen City Sled Hockey, and the Space Coast Blast. The weekend was full of highs and lows, but the team showed resilience and determination as they fought their way through four hard-fought games.
Game 1 vs. Charleston Warriors
The weekend didn’t start the way Carolina had hoped. In what was arguably their roughest game, the team struggled to find their rhythm, ultimately falling 2-1. Captain Kris Mercer netted the lone goal, but Carolina couldn’t pull together a comeback. If this was a sign of things to come, the weekend was shaping up to be a tough one.
Game 2 vs. Orlando Sled Bears
Whatever wasn’t clicking in Game 1 seemed to completely turn around in Game 2. Was this even the same team? Carolina came out firing and put together a dominant 3-0 victory, with goals from Kris Mercer, Rob Palumbo, and Hunter Parda. Goaltender Odell Lambeth secured his first shutout of the weekend, proving Carolina was far from down and out.
Game 3 vs. Space Coast Blast
Taking on the top-tier Space Coast Blast, Carolina knew they were in for a challenge. While a 5-0 loss isn’t what they wanted, it was actually the closest game Space Coast played all weekend. Considering Space Coast didn’t allow a single goal in the tournament, Carolina walked away knowing they had played their best against a powerhouse opponent.
Game 4 vs. Queen City Sled Hockey
The final game had major implications—Carolina would either secure second place overall or drop into a tie for last place. Earlier in the day, Queen City had stunned Charleston with a 5-2 victory, adding even more pressure to the matchup. The game was a battle, but Carolina rose to the occasion, earning another 3-0 shutout victory with two goals from Chris Baucom and another from Kris Mercer. Goalie Odell Lambeth recorded his second shutout of the weekend, capping off an impressive performance.
With the first tournament in the books, Carolina Sled Hockey now turns its focus to Jacksonville, FL, in March, where they will fight for playoff positioning and push toward the SESHL Championship. Stay tuned as the season heats up!