Hoof Beats: UAH’s modern life

Carmine Guerriero’s 61-save performance against Minnesota State on Saturday is a new UAH hockey record for saves in a game. But what kind of record did he set?

The Charger hockey record book encompasses all official games from its first varsity season in 1985-86 to the present. Recently, I’ve been researching records for what we call the Chargers’ “modern Division I era.” This era runs from the 1999-2000 season to the present.

UAH Leading Scorers
All-time varsity (1985-present)
1. Tony Guzzo (’97): 61 G-118 A-179 Pts
2. Jared Ross (’05): 73-86–159
3. Mario Mazzuca (’96): 96-59–155
4. Mike O’Connor (’89): 62-85–147
5. Mike Hamlin (’99): 75-70–145


Modern D-I era (1999-present)
1. Jared Ross (’05): 73-86–159
2. Karlis Zirnis (’03): 46-73–119
3. Craig Bushey (’05): 45-67–112
4. Bruce Mulherin (’06): 49-52–101
5. Jason Hawes (’03): 22-64–86

For each category in the record book, there’s now a “modern Division I era” record to go with the “all-time varsity” record. The reason: Division I hockey is the big leagues, and deserves its own context. You can’t really compare UAH’s games against top Division I opposition to that of our Division II days. Other programs that moved up to Division I around this time, such as former D-II programs Minnesota State and Bemidji State, also separate their record books this way.

Why does the 1999-2000 season the first of this era? It was the first where the Chargers began playing a consistent, full Division I schedule (and our first in the College Hockey America conference). While UAH declared to be Division I for 1998-99, only about half of that season’s games was against Division I competition.

What about UAH’s first Division I era from 1987-1992? I considered including those games, but the Chargers didn’t play a full, consistent Division I schedule during that period. Only 68 percent of those games were against Division I opponents.

Back to Guerriero: His 61 saves set a new UAH modern Division I era record. The all-time record is 62, set by Barry Friedman against Geneseo State (not a Division I opponent) in 1986.

In case you’re wondering, UAH’s all-time leading scorer is Tony Guzzo with 179 points. UAH’s modern era leading scorer is Jared Ross with 159.

Promotions: As we alerted on Monday, there will be free general admission to the final four home games of the season, starting Friday night against Lake Superior State, courtesy of Huntsville International Airport. This week, free trading cards will be given Friday and free team photos will be given Saturday.

But that’s not all for this week’s series, which is sponsored by AEgis Technologies: Friday is also Weather Awareness Night with the Rocket City Weather Fest, featuring handouts and materials.

On Saturday, representatives from the Nashville Predators will be on hand with a return appearance of their mascot Gnash. Also, UAH’s four WCHA Scholar-Athletes will be honored before the game.

Blue Line Club luncheon: As with every home series, the Blue Line Club will take place this Friday at noon at the Varsity Room in Spragins Hall. Lake Superior State head coach Jim Roque is the special guest speaker. He and UAH coach Mike Corbett will talk about the series.

Zoe’s Kitchen will be catering. Tickets are $8 at the door, but free to Blue Line Club members.

Recruiting update: UAH picked up two more commitments this past week. Forwards Brandon Salerno and Brennan Saulnier are expected to join the Chargers next season.

Salerno is a center with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League. The 18-year-old from Toronto, who is in his second season in Waterloo, committed on Friday. Salerno has 26 points over the last two seasons.

Salnier, a forward for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, announced his commitment on Tuesday. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native has 44 points in 54 games this season.

For more on UAH’s verbal commitments, visit our Commitments page.

Around the WCHA: Minnesota State has caught Ferris State atop the WCHA standings. While the Mavericks swept UAH in Mankato, the Bulldogs managed to split their series at Bemidji. While Ferris has two extra league games to play, it is tied with MSU with 34 points. Both have clinched home ice in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.

Behind the Mavericks and Bulldogs is a free for all, with Alaska-Anchorage in third with 26 points, and Lake Superior in ninth, just six points behind UAA and one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot.

Ferris State is No. 6 in the latest USCHO.com poll. FSU is currently the only WCHA team projected to be in the NCAA Tournament, unless the Bulldogs are knocked out of the WCHA Tournament.

WCHA Standings Conference Overall
GP W L T Pts W L T
Ferris State 22 16 4 2 34 21 7 3
Minnesota State 24 17 7 0 34 19 13 0
Alaska-Anchorage 24 11 9 4 26 15 11 4
Alaska 24 11 11 2 24 14 12 4
Michigan Tech 24 10 10 4 24 12 16 6
Bowling Green 24 10 10 4 24 13 13 6
Bemidji State 24 9 11 4 22 9 16 7
Northern Michigan 22 10 11 1 21 12 16 2
Lake Superior State 22 10 12 0 20 14 15 1
Alabama-Huntsville 22 1 20 1 3 1 30 1


THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA

All times Central.
* WCHA game.

Friday, February 21
* Lake Superior State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
US Under-18 Team at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m. (exhibition)

Saturday, February 22
* Lake Superior State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.

Free general admission to remaining home games

General admission tickets to the final four home games are free, courtesy of Huntsville International Airport.

This Friday and Saturday, the Chargers host Lake Superior State at 7:07 p.m. both nights, sponsored by AEgis Technologies. On Friday, the first 500 fans receive a set of UAH hockey trading cards. On Saturday, the first 500 fans receive a free team photo.

The free general admission ticket offer will also apply to the final series of the season, March 7-8 against Northern Michigan.

Catching the Game: at Minnesota State, Feb. 14-15

Whenever they get to Mankato, the Chargers will have to be ready for a test this weekend against the Minnesota State Mavericks. Game times are 7:37 p.m. on Friday and 7:07 p.m. on Saturday. Here’s how you can follow the action.

TEAM COMPARISON
UAH Chargers 2013-14 Stats Minnesota State Mavericks
WCHA rank in parentheses
1-28-1 Overall record 17-13-0
1-18-1 (10th) Conference record 15-7-0 (2nd)
1.07 (10th) Goals per game 3.07 (4th)
4.63 (10th) Goals allowed per game 2.73 (5th)
13.2 (9th) Penalty minutes per game 18.5 (1st)
8.0% (10th) Power play 25.0% (1st)
68.8% (10th) Penalty kill 87.2% (1st)
Matt Salhany (4-7-11)
Jack Prince (5-4-9)
Chad Brears (5-3-8)
Steve Koshey (1-7-8)
Frank Misuraca (2-5-7)
Leading scorers JP Lafontaine (18-18-36)
Matt Leitner (9-24-33)
Johnny Mcinnis (16-11-27)
Zach Lehrke (7-14-21)
Zach Palmquist (3-14-17)
Carmine Guerriero
(15 GS, 3.95 GAA, .899 SV%)
Matt Larose
(15 GS, 5.28 GAA, .874 SV%)
Goaltending Cole Huggins
(19 GS, 2.24 GAA, .913 SV%)
Stephon Williams
(11 GS, 3.59 GAA, .856 SV%)

 

Minnesota State is in the thick of the McNaughton Cup race, just two points behind Ferris State at the top of the standings. The Mavericks have been lethal at home, posting an 11-1 record in Mankato’s Verizon Wireless Center.

Back on Dec. 13-14, the Mavericks swept the Chargers at the Von Braun Center by a couple of 4-1 sc0res. The second game was contentious after back-to-back checking from behind major penalties against UAH’s Frank Misuraca and Ben Reinhardt.

UAH will need a stellar defensive effort to pull off upsets. The Mavericks have the top two scorers in the WCHA in Jean-Paul Lafontaine and Matt Leitner, and Jonny McInnis is tied for fifth.

It would be wise if the Chargers stayed out of the penalty box, as Minnesota State’s power play is one of the best in the country. The Mavericks’ 25 percent efficiency is tied for second in the nation, and Lafontaine leads Division I with 13 power-play goals.

Next weekend, the Chargers return home to play Lake Superior State.

Hoof Beats: Prince’s 4-point night UAH’s first since ’11

Jack Prince

Photo by Timothy Burns

While Saturday’s 10-4 loss at Michigan Tech was bleak, there were a couple of bright spots. The Chargers were able to get a four-spot again, and typically — if not on that night — that means a much greater chance of victory.

One player who had a hand in all four tallies was Jack Prince. His two-goal, two-assist performance was the best UAH has had in over three years.

The last Charger to have a four-point night was Jamie Easton, who had four assists in UAH’s 4-3 win over Bemidji State on January 8, 2011 at the Von Braun Center.

Prince’s first goal of the game, and second point of the night, made the WCHA Plays of the Week:

The Leicester, England native is now second on the team with nine points this season. He is tied with Chad Brears for the team lead in goals with five.

Around the WCHA: The teams at the top of the table took care of business. Ferris State swept a home series against Northern Michigan, and Minnesota State took two at home against Bemidji State. The Bulldogs maintain a two-point lead in first place, and are tied for fourth in the latest USCHO.com poll.

Michigan Tech boosted up to third with its sweep of UAH and five wins in its last six games. Huskies forward Blake Pietila was named the WCHA’s Offensive Player of the Week for his six-point weekend against the Chargers.

Alaska-Anchorage moved into a tie for fourth with idle Bowling Green after splitting at Lake Superior State.

WCHA Standings Conference Overall
GP W L T Pts W L T
Ferris State 20 15 3 2 32 20 6 3
Minnesota State 22 15 7 0 30 17 13 0
Michigan Tech 22 10 8 4 24 12 14 6
Bowling Green 22 10 9 3 23 13 12 5
Alaska-Anchorage 22 10 9 3 23 14 11 3
Alaska 22 9 11 2 20 12 12 4
Bemidji State 22 8 10 4 20 8 15 7
Northern Michigan 20 9 10 1 19 11 15 2
Lake Superior State 20 9 11 0 18 13 14 1
Alabama-Huntsville 20 1 18 1 3 1 28 1


THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA

All times Central.
* WCHA game.

Friday, February 13
* UAH at Minnesota State, 7:37 p.m.
* Alaska at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, February 14
* UAH at Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Alaska at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.

Catching the Game: at Michigan Tech, Feb. 7-8

The Chargers play Michigan Tech for the first time in a two-game WCHA series. It’s the Winter Carnival up in Houghton, Michigan, with the puck dropping at 6:07 p.m. on Friday and 4:07 p.m. on Saturday.

Here’s how you can follow the action.

TEAM COMPARISON
UAH Chargers 2013-14 Stats Michigan Tech Huskies
WCHA rank in parentheses
1-26-1 Overall record 10-14-6
1-10-1 (10th) Conference record 8-8-4 (T-5th)
0.96 (10th) Goals per game 2.20 (9th)
4.46 (10th) Goals allowed per game 2.40 (2nd)
12.9 (7th) Penalty minutes per game 14.8 (4th)
6.5% (10th) Power play 11.8% (9th)
69.0% (10th) Penalty kill 85.5% (3rd)
Matt Salhany (4-7-11)
Frank Misuraca (2-5-7)
Steve Koshey (1-5-6)
Chad Brears (4-1-5)
Brent Fletcher (2-3-5)
Brandon Clowes (1-4-5)
Leading scorers Alex Petan (11-11-22)
Blake Pietila (4-14-18)
Tanner Kero (9-8-17)
Shane Hanne (2-12-14)
Mike Neville (2-11-13)
Carmine Guerriero
(14 GS, 3.86 GAA, .900 SV%)
Matt Larose
(14 GS, 5.00 GAA, .877 SV%)
Goaltending Pheonix Copley
(19 GS, 2.20 GAA, .919 SV%)
Jamie Phillips
(10 GS, 2.62 GAA, .901 SV%)

 

The first meeting between these two programs could be a low-scoring affair. The Chargers and Huskies rank at the bottom of the WCHA in offense in general and the power play in particular.

Michigan Tech’s calling card has been its defense, which is second in the league and anchored by sophomore goaltender Pheonix Copley. Copley is second in the WCHA in goals against average and third in save percentage.

While not part of the Huskies’ leading scorers, the hottest forwards for MTU are the Johnstone brothers, David and Jacob. Each tallied three goals in the Huskies’ sweep of Bowling Green in Ohio last week.

The Chargers are trying to play spoiler as Michigan Tech is in a battle for positioning and a potential first-round playoff series in Houghton.

Next week, UAH heads to Minnesota State to finish up a three-week road swing. The Chargers host Lake Superior State on Feb. 21-22.

Hoof Beats: Zirnis joins Latvian staff in Sochi

Karlis Zirnis (Photo by UAH Sports Information)

Karlis Zirnis takes a shot during a game in 2001.
(Photo by UAH Sports Information)

Karlis Zirnis, a Charger winger from 1999-2003, will be an assistant coach for Latvia at the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

“Igor” scored 119 career points at UAH, which trails only Jared Ross for most in the Chargers’ modern Division I era and is 15th all-time. His 46 goals is third in UAH’s modern Division I era, and his 73 assists is second. Zirnis led the Chargers in scoring in 2000-01 (37 points) and 2001-02 (31).

“I’m nervous and I’m excited,” Zirnis told The Tennesseean. “I’m definitely more excited than nervous. It’s going to be a great event and a great opportunity.”

While in Sochi, Zirnis will be coaching a current player in the WCHA: Bowling Green defenseman Ralfs Freibergs. Both Zirnis and Freibergs are natives of Riga, Latvia.

“Everyone goes there to compete for a medal, and that is our ultimate goal and one I believe is attainable,” Zirnis said.

Zirnis currently teaches youth hockey in Franklin, Tennessee, and lives in Fairview.

Another Thunder commitment: Connor Wood, a forward on the Thunder AAA Under-18 roster, committed to UAH on Saturday. He is expected to join the Chargers for the 2015-16 season.

Wood, a native of Buford, Georgia, has 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points in 44 games played this season with the Thunder, whose general manager is UAH alum Nathan Bowen (’00). He’ll tender next season in the North American Hockey League’s Amarillo Bulls, who are coached by former UAH assistant coach Dennis Williams.

Wood is the second player from the Thunder who has committed to the Chargers. Defenseman and Huntsville native Ted Rotenberger committed last summer to UAH, also for the 2015-16 season.

Check out our commitments page for more information on incoming recruits.

Around the WCHA: With Ferris State idle, Minnesota State had a chance to catch up to the first-place Bulldogs by taking two in Northern Michigan. Friday night did not go according to plan for the Mavericks, who allowed four third-period goals in  5-2 loss. MSU rebounded nicely on Saturday, drilling the Wildcats 5-1, and now trail Ferris State by only two points.

Bowling Green also had a chance to climb closer to Ferris, but was stunned at home by a Michigan Tech team that was 3-10-2 on the road coming in. The Huskies, who host UAH this week, won 5-2 on Friday and got a Blake Pietila goal in overtime to win 5-4 on Saturday. The Falcons stay in third place, five points out of first.

Alaska moved into a tie for fifth after sweeping UAH. The Nanooks needed it, as the rest of the schedule does not favor Alaska making the WCHA playoffs.

Ferris State moved up to No. 5 in this week’s USCHO.com poll. Only Minnesota State received votes. The Bulldogs host Northern Michigan this weekend, while the Mavericks entertain Bemidji State. Alaska-Anchorage, currently in fourth, hosts Lake Superior.

WCHA Standings Conference Overall
GP W L T Pts W L T
Ferris State 18 13 3 2 28 18 6 3
Minnesota State 20 13 7 0 26 15 13 0
Bowling Green 22 10 9 3 23 13 12 5
Alaska-Anchorage 20 9 8 3 21 13 10 3
Alaska 22 9 11 2 20 12 12 4
Bemidji State 20 8 8 4 20 8 13 7
Michigan Tech 20 8 8 4 20 10 14 6
Northern Michigan 18 9 8 1 19 11 13 2
Lake Superior State 18 8 10 0 16 12 13 1
Alabama-Huntsville 18 1 16 1 3 1 26 1


THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA

All times Central.
* WCHA game.

Friday, February 7
* UAH at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Lake Superior State, 6:37 p.m.
* Bemidji State at Minnesota State, 7:37 p.m.

Saturday, February 1
* UAH at Michigan Tech, 4:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.

Get to know Michigan Tech

mtu_logo_150The Chargers travel to Houghton, Michigan, this weekend to play Michigan Tech for the first time ever.* The new WCHA has finally brought these programs together on the ice.

But Michigan Tech is a more than a new conference mate. Like UAH, it is a school that prides itself on its engineering programs.

Michigan Technological University was founded in 1885 as Michigan Mining School, which specialized in training mining engineers. The university adopted its current name in 1964 after expanding its engineering curriculum to include chemical, electrical, civil, mechanical, and geological engineering, as well as many other science-related fields. Today, MTU has one of the top engineering graduate schools in the country.** Michigan Tech also has a similar enrollment to UAH at over 7,000 students with over 5,000 undergrads.

So we know MTU can bring it with academics. But what about their hockey prowess? While the Huskies have seen better days, they have a rich tradition that’s coming up to 100 years.

The MacNaughton Cup, which goes to the WCHA regular-season champion, is owned by Michigan Tech.

The MacNaughton Cup, which goes to the WCHA regular-season champion, is owned by Michigan Tech.

Hockey history

Like UAH, Michigan Tech is primarily a Division II school that plays Division I hockey. The Huskies have played hockey since 1919, and the program has seen both the highest highs and lowest lows.

Michigan Tech has three Division I national championships (1962, 1965, and 1975), and has been to the Frozen Four 10 times. The last time, however, was in 1981, which is also the last time the Huskies made the NCAA Tournament. One of the founding members of the WCHA, Michigan Tech has seven regular-season titles and nine tournament titles.

Michigan Tech is the trustee of the MacNaughton Cup, which goes to the winner of the WCHA regular season. Whichever league MTU is in, the MacNaughton Cup follows, as was the case when the program switched to the CCHA in 1981 and returned to the WCHA in 1984.

MTU’s recent history has not been so kind, as its last winning season was in 1992-93. The lowest point came in the 1999-2000 season, when the Huskies went 4-34 and set an NCAA record for losses in a season.***

For news about the Huskies, visit our counterparts at Tech Hockey Guide.

Winter Carnival

Phi Kappa Tau's winning snow statue in 2010: "A Classic Mario Plight Portrayed in Snowy White."

Phi Kappa Tau’s winning snow statue in 2010: “A Classic Mario Plight Portrayed in Snowy White.” (Photo by Michigan Technological University)

As timing would have it, the Chargers’ first trip to Houghton just happens to be during one of Michigan Tech’s biggest traditions — the Winter Carnival. The yearly event started in 1922 and features many student activities, including snow statue, broomball, curling, and other snow-related competitions. Some of the snow and ice statues can be pretty impressive.

The Huskies always have a WCHA series during the Winter Carnival. While some may lament that UAH is this year’s Carnival opponent instead of a, say, more glamorous team, it’s just the way the schedule rotation landed.

So there’s your primer on Michigan Tech. Will a rivalry form between these two engineering-rich, hockey schools? We’ll start finding out Friday night.

* Michigan Tech is one of four current Division I programs (out of 58) UAH has not yet played. The others are Boston University, Dartmouth, and Union College.

** UAH and Michigan Tech are tied for 89th for best engineering graduate schools according to U.S. News & World Report rankings in 2013.

*** Not avoiding the elephant in the room, UAH is on pace to break Tech’s record this season, in case the Huskies needed any extra incentive to win this weekend.

Catching the Game: at Alaska, Jan. 31-Feb. 1

UAH is in the 49th state for the second time this season. The Chargers are in Fairbanks for a two-game set for the first time since 1992, and for the first time as WCHA members.

It also means another edition of “Late Night with the Chargers.” Both games Friday and Saturday start at 10:07 p.m. Central time, and here’s how you can follow the action:

TEAM COMPARISON
UAH Chargers 2013-14 Stats Alaska Nanooks
WCHA rank in parentheses
1-24-1 Overall record 10-12-4
1-14-1 (10th) Conference record 7-11-2 (T-7th)
0.96 (10th) Goals per game 2.88 (4th)
4.35 (10th) Goals allowed per game 3.00 (8th)
13.3 (7th) Penalty minutes per game 15.3 (3rd)
6.8% (10th) Power play 15.8% (8th)
69.9% (10th) Penalty kill 83.5% (5th)
Matt Salhany (4-6-10)
Frank Misuraca (1-5-6)
Steve Koshey (1-5-6)
Chad Brears (4-1-5)
Brandon Clowes (1-4-5)
Leading scorers Cody Kunyk (13-13-26)
Tyler Morley (12-11-23)
Colton Beck (7-14-21)
Marcus Basara (10-7-17)
Colton Parayko (3-13-16)
Carmine Guerriero
(13 GS, 3.70 GAA, .902 SV%)
Matt Larose
(13 GS, 4.91 GAA, .878 SV%)
Goaltending Davis Jones
(10 GS, 3.06 GAA, .900 SV%)
John Keeney
(10 GS, 2.95 GAA, .873 SV%)
Sean Cahill
(6 GS, 2.65 GAA, .895 SV%)

 

After being off last week, the Chargers begin the first of three straight weekends on the road. Next week, UAH heads to Houghton for the first time to play Michigan Tech. The next home series is Feb. 21-22 against Lake Superior State.

Last week, Alaska split a pair with Bemidji State at home in the Carlson Center. The Nanooks shut out the Beavers 3-0 before being shut out themselves 4-0. Sean Cahill was in net for both games.

The Nanooks find themselves in a dogfight as we head toward the home stretch of the WCHA season. Alaska is tied with Lake Superior State and Michigan Tech for seventh place with 16 points. The top eight teams make the WCHA playoffs.

Cody Kunyk leads the Nanooks in scoring with 26 points on the season, which is third in the WCHA. His 13 goals is tied for 2nd. Kunyk has 115 points in his UAF career, which is 19th on their all-time career scoring list.

Tyler Morley is tied for fifth in the WCHA with 12 goals and tied for ninth in the league with 23 points.

Hoof Beats: West to coach against alma mater

headshot_2_west1024x1280

Lance West

The last time the UAH visited Fairbanks, Alaska was December of 1992, when Lance West was a sophomore for the Chargers.

“Those were definitely interesting trips with the guys. We’d go up there for four games, two in Fairbanks and two in Anchorage. I was able to score a shorthanded goal against a good friend of mine (Nanook goalie Jamie Loewen), so that was a pretty good time.”

Lance West fires a shot against the Nanooks in Huntsville.

Lance West fires a shot against the Nanooks in Huntsville.

The Chargers will be back in Fairbanks this weekend to take on Alaska at the Carlson Center, and West will be there as assistant coach — for the Nanooks. This will be the first time his club will face his alma mater, and he had not really given it much thought.

“Guys move around all the time in professional and college hockey. I haven’t really felt any emotion. I may feel different when the puck drops Friday night and I see the other bench. But right now I’m with UAF. I follow what’s been happening wth UAH and I wish them success, but not while we’re playing against them. It’s another hockey game.”

West, a center during his playing days, was captain in his senior season. His 106 points is 20th on UAH’s all-time scoring list, and his 43 goals are also 20th all-time. After graduating in 1995, West served as a volunteer assistant for the Chargers from 1995-1998, when the Chargers captured two Division II national championships. He served as an assistant coach under Doug Ross from 2000 to 2007.

Nanooks love disco: We can’t help but enjoy this video released this week featuring our opposition. It’s a funny video with a serious message about the importance of knowing CPR:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3-weAKXA7Q

Of course, no video featuring Alaska hockey is more outrageous than this famous Carlson Center intro video from a few years back:

Salhany feature: Kevin Pomeroy of the Warwick (R.I.) Beacon wrote a feature on Matt Salhany, who is leading the Chargers with 10 points as a freshman.

Charger family outing: Look who’s been trying out the game this week:

By the way, the “bat and ball” games start this weekend at Charger Park. The baseball team plays Kentucky State in a pair of doubleheaders Friday and Saturday, and softball gets started Saturday with two games against Young Harris.

Around the WCHA: There was no movement in the WCHA standings last week, as all four conference series were splits.

On Friday, Ferris State lost its third straight conference game after winning its first 13 by dropping a 3-2 decision at Michigan Tech. The Bulldogs rebounded with a 3-0 win on Saturday, extending its lead atop the standings to four games over Minnesota State.

MSU was in non-conference action in the first North Star College Cup. The Mavericks lost to Minnesota-Duluth in a heartbreaking 5-4 overtime thriller in the semifinals, then fell to St. Cloud State 6-4 in the third-place game.

Third-place Bowling Green couldn’t gain ground at home after a split with Lake Superior, nor could fourth-place Alaska-Anchorage after losing and winning against Northern Michigan. Bemidji State traded shutouts at Alaska.

Ferris State remained ranked sixth in this week’s USCHO.com poll. Bowling Green and Minnesota State each received votes.

WCHA Standings Conference Overall
GP W L T Pts W L T
Ferris State 18 13 3 2 28 18 6 3
Minnesota State 18 12 6 0 24 14 12 0
Bowling Green 20 10 7 3 23 13 10 5
Alaska-Anchorage 20 9 8 3 21 13 10 3
Bemidji State 20 8 8 4 20 8 13 7
Northern Michigan 16 8 7 1 17 10 12 2
Lake Superior State 18 8 10 0 16 12 13 1
Alaska 20 7 11 2 16 10 12 4
Michigan Tech 18 6 8 4 16 8 14 6
Alabama-Huntsville 16 1 14 1 3 1 24 1


THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA

All times Central.
* WCHA game.

Friday, January 31
* UAH at Alaska, 10 p.m.
Michigan Tech at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
Minnesota State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.

Saturday, February 1
* UAH at Alaska, 10 p.m.
Michigan Tech at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
Minnesota State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.

Hoof Beats: Half a century of hockey

To this day, I still see the bemusement in a person’s face when I tell someone not from Huntsville that UAH has a hockey team.

I don’t even get to the part where I say UAH has fielded a team for 35 years.

Considering the relative “newness” of the sport in the South, it’s fascinating that the program has been around this long. It’s had its ups (three club national championships, two NCAA Division II national championships, and two Division I tournament appearances) and downs (well documented), but it has been a staple in the Rocket City since the times of disco.

Some may be wonder, “How did this happen?” How did Huntsville become the “Hockey Capital of the South”? How did Huntsville even get started in this sport in the first place?

Former UAH goaltender Budd McLaughlin (1980-82) wrote an great article for i4sports chronicling the evolution of hockey in Huntsville. It starts with the first youth programs headed by Fred Hudson all the way back to 1962 — 17 years before Joe Ritch got his first club team together at UAH.

Want to know about the history of UAH hockey? It starts there.

Fletcher makes Plays of the Week: Brent Fletcher’s first goal of his UAH career, tallied Friday in the 1-1 tie with Alaska-Anchorage, made the WCHA’s Plays of the Week:

Talbot update: For a couple of days, anyway, Cam Talbot was a league leader.

After a 29-save performance in Ottawa where the New York Rangers won 4-1, the former UAH netminder was the NHL leader in goals against average (1.62) and save percentage (.940).

Henrik Lundqvist started the Rangers’ next game at home — a 4-1 win over Washington — and Talbot no longer had the games played to qualify.

Lundqvist was sick Tuesday, so Talbot got the start against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden. Talbot made 32 saves, but allowed four goals — only the third time in 14 starts he’s allowed more than two — as the Rangers fell 5-3. It wasn’t enough to get him back on the leaderboard, although he wouldn’t be No. 1 in goals against average or save percentage if he was.

Still, his 1.78 goals against and .935 save percentage is glowing. And, he’s got a special mask ready should he play in either game of the Stadium Series at Yankee Stadium.

Military Appreciation Weekend was a success at the gate for the Chargers. Friday night’s attendance of 2,6o4 and Saturday’s crowd of 3,614 were season highs. The combined attendance was the highest for a weekend series since November, 2008.

UAH raised over $2,500 auctioning the special camouflage jerseys the Chargers wore in both games.

It will be a while before the Chargers return home. After being off this weekend, UAH goes on three straight road trips: Alaska, Michigan Tech, and Minnesota State. The next home series is Feb. 21-22 against Lake Superior State.

Around the WCHA: A new conference alignment means new rivalries — but where would they come from? We may be seeing one start between Ferris State and Minnesota State.

The Mavericks swept second-ranked Ferris in Mankato last weekend, 6-2 and 4-3, handing the Bulldogs their first two conference losses of the season. But the big news was in Saturday’s game, where a fight in the third period led to the disqualification of two Mavericks (Teddy Blueger and Nashville Predators prospect Zach Stepan) and one Bulldog (Justin DeMartino). Ferris State star goaltender C.J. Motte received a game misconduct but no DQ. A total of 216 penalty minutes were handed out in the contest.

The losses dropped Ferris State to No. 6 in this week’s USCHO.com poll. The Bulldogs remain in first place, but only two points ahead of second-place Minnesota State. Third-place Bowling Green was idle, five points back. With their three points in Huntsville, Alaska-Anchorage moved ahead of Bemidji State (which tied and lost against North Dakota in non-conference action) into fourth.

WCHA Standings Conference Overall
GP W L T Pts W L T
Ferris State 16 12 2 2 26 17 5 3
Minnesota State 18 12 6 0 24 14 10 0
Bowling Green 18 9 6 3 21 12 9 5
Alaska-Anchorage 18 8 7 3 19 12 9 3
Bemidji State 18 7 7 4 18 7 12 7
Northern Michigan 14 7 6 1 15 9 11 2
Lake Superior State 16 7 9 0 14 11 12 1
Alaska 18 6 10 2 14 9 11 4
Michigan Tech 16 5 7 4 14 7 13 6
Alabama-Huntsville 16 1 14 1 3 1 24 1


THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA

All times Central.
* WCHA game.

Friday, January 24
* Lake Superior at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Minnesota State vs. Minnesota-Duluth, 4 p.m. (North Star College Cup)

Saturday, January 25
* Lake Superior at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Minnesota State vs. St. Cloud State or Minnesota, 4 or 7 p.m. (North Star College Cup)