It only takes a moment for an upset bid to dissolve against a top team like Minnesota State.
The sixth-ranked Mavericks scored two quick goals early in the third period and rolled from there, turning a 1-0 lead into a 6-1 victory over the Chargers on Friday in Mankato, Minn.
UAH (6-22-1 overall, 6-14-1-1 WCHA) will try again to break a long-standing winless streak against MSU on Saturday night.
Minnesota State (22-6-1, 17-4-0-0) maintained its eight-point lead over Bowling Green atop the WCHA standings.
The Mavericks struck early with a goal at the 3:21 mark. Edwin Hookenson’s shot from the right point got between the legs of Jake Theut.
Theut would probably like that one back, but he was stout from that point through the second period.
The closest the Mavericks would score in the second period was with about four minutes remaining, when he slid to his left to make a toe save on Charlie Gerard.
So UAH only had a 1-0 deficit, but Theut could do little to stop what happened in the third.
At 2:08, MSU had Chris Van Os-Shaw and Julian Napravnik on a 2-on-1 all alone, with Napravik finishing to make it 2-0. At 3:14, Connor Mackey fired a rebound from the high slot to make it 3-0.
From there, the Mavericks found their scoring touch. Ian Scheid, Parker Tuomie, and Chris Van Os-Shaw added goals as MSU outshot UAH 43-15 for the game.
The Chargers averted the shutout as Kurt Gosselin scored on a backhander on the power play with 3:04 remaining. Fourth goal of the season and 20th of his career for Gosselin.
Austin Beaulieu and Theut assisted on the goal. It was the first goalie assist for UAH since John Griggs had one in the 2010-11 season.
Theut finished with 37 saves. MSU goalie Dryden McKay made 14 saves.
UAH is now winless in 27 games (0-23-4) against Minnesota State dating back to the 2001-02 season.
Charger update: UAH (6-21-1 overall, 6-13-1-1 WCHA) had a rough series last week at home against Alaska, getting swept by the Nanooks.
On Friday, the Chargers were given plenty of power play opportunities, but couldn’t do anything with them in a 3-1 loss. On Saturday, UAH paid dearly for not staying out of the box, allowing four power play goals in 10 Alaska chances in a 5-2 defeat.
Hans Gorowsky scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season on Saturday. Bauer Neudecker and Christian Rajic scored the other goals in the weekend.
Mark Sinclair started both games in net, making 26 saves on Friday and 32 on Saturday. He now has a 2.93 goals against average and .914 save percentage on the season.
UAH is now firmly in eighth place, the last of the WCHA playoff positions. With 20 points, the Chargers are six behind Alaska and seven ahead of Ferris State.
About the Mavericks: Minnesota State (21-6-1 overall, 16-4-0-0 WCHA) stands atop the WCHA with 48 points, eight ahead of second-place Bowling Green. The sixth-ranked Mavericks, who lead the nation in wins, have won seven of eight and swept third place Northern Michigan last week.
Minnesota State has the highest-scoring offense in the league and fifth-highest in Division I at 3.68 goals per game. The Mavs are lethal on the power play, scoring on 21.7 percent of their opportunities.
Two German juniors pace the Mavericks. Marc Michaelis has 29 points (13 goals-16 assists) and Parker Tuomie has 27 (10-17). Another German, Julian Napravnik, is in the running for WCHA’s top freshman with 15 points (5-10).
The Mavericks have also been stout on defense, tops in league play at 1.75 goals allowed per game. Freshman goaltender Dryden McKay has 21 starts this season, posting a 2.04 goals against with a .919 save percentage and two shutouts.
Friday, February 1 UAH at #6 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m. #13 Bowling Green at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m. #20 Lake Superior State at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
Saturday, February 2 UAH at #6 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m. #13 Bowling Green at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m. #20 Lake Superior State at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
Alaska quashed a lot of the momentum UAH had after its sweep of Anchorage last week. The Chargers did not help themselves Saturday.
UAH was swept by the Nanooks after a 5-2 defeat at the Von Braun Center, giving Alaska a six-point advantage over UAH for seventh place in the WCHA standings.
The Chargers (6-21-1 overall, 6-13-1-1 WCHA), leaving points on the table against the team they were tied with coming into the weekend, heads to Mankato next week to face the top team in the league in Minnesota State.
The Chargers uncharacteristically racked up penalties, particularly in the first two periods, in what was their least disciplined game of the season. UAH had 32 penalty minutes, 10 on major penalties.
Alaska (8-16-2, 8-11-1-1) exploited the Chargers’ penalty kill, who had the fifth-highest efficiency in Division I coming into the weekend. The Nanooks scored four times on 10 power play opportunities.
UAH committed four penalties in the first period, including a cross-checking penalty on Dayne Finnson that needed video review (it was kept as a two-minute minor).
The first was a slashing call on Cam Knight at 1:17, and Alaska converted at 2:05 when Tyler Cline’s shot from the left point found its way through traffic and UAH goalie Mark Sinclair (32 saves).
The penalties were not conducive to generating offense, and it showed in the period shot totals. Alaska only lead in shots on goal 8-4, but had at 20-7 advantage in shot attempts thanks to the four power plays.
UAH did tie the game at 1-1 in the first, almost by accident. A turnover in the Alaska zone saw the puck come right to Christian Rajic in the right circle. Rajic quickly just threw the puck on net, and it got past Anton Martinsson (19 saves) for his second goal of the season with 4:11 left in the period.
The second period was more of the same, except worse. UAH was shorthanded for literally half the period because of two major penalties.
The first was against Bailey Newton, whose hit on Matthew Doran just 37 seconds in drew a five-minute penalty, his second in as many games. This time, however, Newton did not get a game misconduct.
Colton Leiter scored late in the extended power play to give Alaska a 2-1 lead at the 5:31 mark of the second.
The second UAH major penalty was against Andrew Dodson, who checked Tyler Cline from behind. Cline had to be helped to the bench, but he would return to action. Dodson did get the game misconduct and was ejected with 11:31 left in the second.
The Nanooks used this to score two more power play goals and increase their lead to 4-1. Tristan Thompson found gold from long range, and Max Newton’s goal was originally waved off but video review overturned the call.
With 3:17 left in the second, Hans Gorowsky scored his eighth goal of the season from the slot to cut Alaska’s lead in half. Despite all the penalties, the Chargers found themselves down only two entering the third.
UAH had many looks but hardly any shots in a power play early in the third. Alaska then extended its lead to 5-2 after Chad Staley finished off a 2-on-1 with 13:13 to go, and that was all she wrote.
The Chargers were outshot 37-21 in the game and were 0-for-4 on the power play.
UAH’s final home series of the season is Feb. 8-9 against Northern Michigan.
The power plays. The penalty shot. The 2-on-1 shorthanded breaks. So many chances went for naught.
The Chargers lost to Alaska 3-1 at the VBC on Friday, seeing their 3-game overall unbeaten streak and 3-game home winning streak come to an end. UAH will go for the series split Saturday at 7 p.m. as Military Appreciation Weekend continues.
UAH (6-20-1 overall, 6-12-1-1 WCHA) went 0-for-7 on the power play and outshot the Nanooks 32-29.
Anton Martinsson was the answer for Alaska (7-16-2, 7-11-1-1), which moved three points up on UAH for sole possession of seventh place in the WCHA standings. The junior goaltender made 31 saves, including a diving stop on Connor Merkley’s penalty shot in the third period.
The Chargers struck first when Bauer Neudecker’s backhander from the left circle beat Martinsson at the 8:16 mark of the first period.
Neudecker’s fifth goal of the season was assisted by Jack Jeffers and Madison Dunn.
UAH had a chance to increase its lead with a two-man advantage for over a minute late in the first, but the Martinsson and the Nanooks kept the Chargers at bay.
At 2:11 of the second, Bailey Newton boarded Jack Weiss hard, and got a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Newton has taken a sizeable team lead in penalty minutes in his freshman season with 51.
Two minutes of the major penalty were killed almost immediately with an Alaska penalty, but the Nanooks capitalized when the power play resumed. Kylar Hope’s redirection past UAH goalie Mark Sinclair (26 saves) tied the game up at 1-1 at 6:26.
UAH give the lead to the Nanooks. Colton Leiter scored just after the halfway point of the game to put Alaska up 2-1.
The Charger power play, which went 4-for-9 against Alaska Anchorage last week, struggled through the second and third periods, making missed chances for them to tie the game.
With 16:23 to go, Merkley was hooked on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. Martinsson dove ahead on the attempt and swiped the puck away from Merkley before he could get a good shot.
Max Newton increased Alaska’s lead to 3-1 after scoring with 10:58 to go.
Even while getting breaks shorthanded, UAH couldn’t get the payoff. Hans Gorowsky and Drew Lennon each had chances on 2-on-1 breaks that were swept aside by Martinsson.N
Where: Propst Arena at Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala. When: Friday, 7:07 p.m.; Saturday, 7:07 p.m. Watch:Ticket information | FloHockey.tv (subscription required) Promotions: Military Appreciation Weekend, presented by the UAH Office of Economic Research and Bryant Bank: All active and former military personnel get free admission, and military T-shirts will be given away on Saturday. Kids 12 and under can get free general admission tickets, courtesy Huntsville International Airport, at the VBC box office on game days. UAH hockey trading cards will be given to the first 500 fans on Friday.
Charger update: UAH (6-19-1 overall, 6-11-1-1 WCHA) got its first series sweep of the season with 6-2 and 6-3 wins over Alaska Anchorage at the VBC last week.
After starting 0-9, the Chargers have won three straight at home. UAH is 3-1-1 in its last five games overall.
The 12 goals last week were the most the Chargers scored in a two-game series since Jan. 2004. UAH has scored 21 goals in its last four home games, a 5.25 average.
Leading the offensive charge were seniors Hans Gorowsky and Kurt Gosselin. Gorowsky scored four goals with an assist over the weekend to earn WCHA Forward of the Week honors. Gosselin had six points on three goals and three assists for the WCHA Defenseman of the Week award and the NCAA’s No. 1 star.
Cam Knight added a goal and three assists, and Austin Beaulieu also had three assists. Andrew Dodson, Jack Jeffers, Connor Wood, and Jesper Ohrvall all pitched in a goal.
Mark Sinclair played both games in goal, stopping 47 of 52 shots.
The penalty kill now sits at 87.7 percent, tops in the WCHA and fifth in Division I.
UAH moved into a dead heat for seventh in the WCHA standings with this week’s opponent, Alaska. The Chargers are 10 points clear of ninth-place Ferris State.
About the Nanooks: Alaska (6-16-2 overall, 6-11-1-1 WCHA) is coming off a series split at home with No. 9 Bowling Green, winning the opener 4-1 before falling 2-0. The Nanooks have one win in each of their last two series, but those have been the only wins in their last eight games.
The Chargers and Nanooks met in Fairbanks back in November, with UAH winning the first game 3-1 before Alaska took the second 2-1. This series could decide potential tiebreakers for seeding in the WCHA playoffs.
Sophomore left wing Steven Jandric leads the Nanooks in scoring with six goals and 12 points. The Nanooks are averaging 1.79 goals per game this season, just behind UAH’s 1.81.
Anton Martinsson is Alaska’s top goaltender with a 3.02 goals against average and .905 save percentage in 16 starts. He made 67 saves on 69 Bowling Green shots last week.
Series notes: Overall: Alaska leads 23-10-2 (first meeting: Dec. 11, 1987). In Huntsville: Alaska leads 8-4-2. Trend: Tied 4-4-1 in the last nine meetings. Last meeting: Nov. 16-17, 2018 in Fairbanks. UAH won 3-1, Alaska won 2-1.
Friday, January 25 Alaska at UAH, 7:07 p.m. Bemidji State at #18 Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m. #7 Minnesota State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m. Ferris State at #9 Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m. Michigan Tech at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Saturday, January 26 Alaska at UAH, 7:07 p.m. Bemidji State at #18 Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m. #7 Minnesota State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m. Ferris State at #9 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m. Michigan Tech at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
After excellent performances in UAH’s sweep of Alaska Anchorage, seniors Hans Gorowsky and Kurt Gosselin were named WCHA players of the week by the league on Monday.
Gorowsky (Lino Lakes, Minn.) earned WCHA Forward of the Week honors after scoring four goals, two in each game, against the Seawolves to lead the conference and tie for first in all of Division I. He added an assist for a total of five points, and won 26 faceoffs over the weekend.
Gorowsky now leads the Chargers in goals (7) and points (12) this season. It is Gorowsky’s first WCHA weekly award.
Gosselin (Brighton, Mich.) took the WCHA Defenseman of the Week award after scoring six points on three goals and three assists. He also had a +5 rating in the series, ranking him second in Division I for the week. Gosselin had the game-winning goal each night.
Gosselin has the UAH lead in assists with eight. His three goals were the first of the season for him. He’s now second on the team with 11 points in just 13 games played this season, which he has missed half of due to injury.
This is the fourth time Gosselin has won the WCHA Defenseman of the Week award.
The Chargers beat Alaska Anchorage 6-2 and 6-3 for their first sweep of the season. UAH, winners of three straight home games, hosts Alaska at the Von Braun Center this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. both nights.
The Chargers rode a three-goal second period and three power play goals to cruise to a 6-2 win over Alaska Anchorage at the Von Braun Center on Friday.
UAH (5-19-1, 5-11-1-1 WCHA) scored six goals for the first time in nearly three years. The Chargers will go for their first sweep of the season in the rematch Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.
“It’s preparation throughout the week,” said UAH senior captain Kurt Gosselin, who had a goal and two assists. “As a team we always got together after and before practice to make sure who we were focused on who we were playing and what their game plan was.
“They have a pretty simple forecheck, and we were able to counter it and get up the ice. All of our offense was from our forwards working hard and getting low. In the last couple of games, shooting the puck is where we’re getting our success.”
Alaska Anchorage fell to 2-20-1 overall and 1-15-1-0 in WCHA play.
The Chargers wanted to perform better in the first period on Fridays, trying to score the first goal and guard against defensive breakdowns.
UAH outshot Anchorage 13-8, generating a few scoring chances inside and out. And the Chargers did get that first goal, as Connor Wood put UAH up 1-0 at the 9:32 mark. Cam Knight and Adam Wilcox had the assists.
However, they allowed Nicolas Erb-Ekholm to tie it up with 2:11 left in the period.
“We started out the first 10 minutes, then they took the next five to seven, then we had the last good two to three,” UAH head coach Mike Corbett said. “I thought it was going to be a little tighter of a game”
The Chargers really took control in the second period with three goals.
The first was by freshman Jack Jeffers, who took the team lead in goals with his sixth after a nifty move leading to a wrister to roof the puck over Carlson for a 2-1 UAH lead at 4:40. Kurt Gosselin and Madison Dunn with the assists.
UAH made it 3-1 just over a minute later, when Andrew Dodson scored his first collegiate goal. He knocked in a centering pass by Connor James, with Brandon Salerno getting the second helper.
Then some tic-tac-toe action, Bauer Neudecker to Austin Beaulieu to Hans Gorowsky, to make it 4-1 with 1:08 remaining. It was Gorowsky’s fourth goal of the season.
“Bauer Neudecker had some great patience on the half-wall, and he saw an opening to get it down to Austin Beaulieu on the goal line,” Gorowsky said. “Austin waited for his player to come to me, and I had a wide open shot. Once again, they did all the work and I got the reward.”
Gosselin added a power play goal two minutes into the third, burying a second chance effort for a 5-1 advantage. Gorowsky and Knight with the apples.
“We were able to do some things in the second period that we wanted to practice all week and it’s nice to see the guys execute,” Corbett said.
Another UAH power play goal extended its lead to 6-1, when Gorowsky put in the rebound of Gosselin’s shot from the slot for his second goal of the game. Neudecker also got the assist.
In all, 13 Chargers got points, driving home that this team uses scoring by committee.
“It’s awesome, because it makes it easier for every line,” Gorowsky said. “We expect it on this team. We don’t have any guys that are going to score 25 goals this season. We need it from all four lines.”
UAH, ranked 60th in Division I on the power play this season, finished 3-for-5 with the advantage.
“We need that (power play) to be able to get us some offense,” Corbett said. “They’re moving the puck and they’re shooting. There’s no great formula: Get the puck to the net and get some bodies to the net and we made some plays.”
“Our special teams have been getting together besides practice, going over game film, drawing it out on the board, and making sure we’re all on the same page,” Gosselin said. “Just trying to keep it simple. Our success was us sticking to our structure and getting pucks on net.”
Anchorage cut UAH’s lead to 6-2 with 4:09 to go on a goal by Carmine Buono.
With a Friday success under their belt, the Chargers need to guard against a Saturday letdown.
“This team has to learn how to finish,” Corbett said. “We’ve got to guard against tomorrow. We have the opportunity to get six points and we’ve got to take advantage of that.
“This team hasn’t been in this situation very often. I know we have a hungry group, and we’re going to make sure that they’re ready.”
“The guys should get some rest and have the same tenacity for tomorrow,” Gosselin said. “We’ve got to come out hot like we did.”
The Chargers outshot the Seawolves 32-23.
Mark Sinclair made 21 saves for the victory for UAH. Carlson made 26 saves for UAA.
Three Stars: 1. Hans Gorowsky, UAH (2 goals, 1 assist) 2. Kurt Gosselin, UAH (1 goal, 2 assists) 3. Bauer Neudecker, UAH (2 assists)
