Author Archives: Michael Napier

Hoof Beats: Stat pack and recruiting update

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Josh Kestner

Josh Kestner has been on a goal-scoring pace not seen at UAH in over a decade. (Photo by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography)

Some statistical analysis as we hit the halfway point of the season:

• The 6-9-1 overall record may not seem like much, but it is the Chargers’ best 16-game start since the 2005-06 season, when they started 8-7-1.

• UAH is only 1-7-0 on Fridays, with the lone win coming against last-place Alaska Anchorage at home. The Chargers are 5-2-1 on Saturdays, with the two losses coming against non-conference foes Notre Dame and Cornell on the road and both currently ranked in the top six. Five of the eight series this season have been win-loss splits, including the last three weeks.

• The Chargers are scoring 3.30 goals per game in WCHA play, second in the league behind Minnesota State (3.80). UAH is tops in power play efficiency in conference games at 25.0 percent.

• Josh Kestner has 10 goals in 16 games this season, already a career high for him and more than his team-leading nine goals last year. He’s the first Charger to reach double-digit goals at this point of the season since both Jared Ross and Bruce Mulherin did it in the 2004-05 season. Kestner is third in the WCHA in overall goals scored and first in power play goals with five. Nationally, Kestner is 19th in goals per game (0.62) and tied for fourth in power play goals (five).

• Now that Jordan Uhelski has played over 1,500 career minutes at UAH, he qualifies for ranking in the program’s all-time leader boards. His .907 save percentage would be sixth all-time and fourth in the modern Division I era, just behind Cam Talbot (2007-10). His 2.81 goals against average would edge him over Steve Briere (1997-2000) for fourth all-time and second in the modern Division I era (behind Scott Munroe’s 2.76).

• For those of you who still care about goaltender win-loss records, Uhelski already has 12 career victories in two seasons, matching Carmine Guerriero’s four-year total. Uhelski has made 33 starts, while Guerriero made 72. Uhelski is getting more goal support now that the Chargers are scoring about a half goal per game more than last season, and about 1.5 goals per game more than Guerriero’s first season (2013-14).

Recruiting update: Last week, UAH received a commitment from Drew Lennon, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound defenseman playing for the Lone Star Brahmas in the NAHL. Lennon, who is originally from Illinois, has played junior hockey all over the continent these past few years. After starring with Rocky Mountain Roughriders U16 AAA team in 2014-15, he went on to play for the Connecticut Oilers in the EHL in 2015-16, and the Prince George Spruce Kings in the BCHL last season. Drew is known for his strong defensive play and skating ability. His size and reach make him difficult to play against, and he’s yet to reach his offensive ceiling. Through 27 games this season, he has two goals and five assists, but has a goal and three assists in his last eight games, so he’s starting to heat up.

Bauer Neudecker signed his National Letter of Intent with UAH, so he’ll be a member of the 2018-19 freshmen class. He has five points in 17 games for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL, the same team the produced UAH captain Max McHugh.

Tyr Thompson, another forward expected in the 2018-19 recruiting class, has been playing at a near point-per-game pace this season (31 points in 29 games) for his Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) squad. Thompson and Neudecker headline what is shaping up to be another solid recruiting class for Coach Corbert and his staff. — Asher Kitchings

WCHA media poll: The Chargers are currently sixth in the latest WCHA Media Poll, conducted by Tech Hockey Guide. UAH fell a spot from fifth after the Chargers split at Northern Michigan over the weekend.

UAHHockey.com has a vote in the poll, which has a representative covering each WCHA program.

Kestner scores twice to propel UAH to 3-2 win

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Josh Kestner scored two goals as the Chargers forced another series split with a 3-2 win on Saturday over Northern Michigan in Marquette.

UAH (6-9-1 overall, 5-4-1 WCHA) has split five of the eight series this season, all of them with the Chargers winning the Saturday contest. UAH is 5-2-1 on Saturdays and 1-7-0 on Fridays.

BOX SCORE

UAH goaltender Jordan Uhelski allowed two first-period goals, but was on the ball the rest of the way toward a 22-save night in sending Northern Michigan (8-8-0, 6-4-0) to its fourth loss in five games.

The Chargers completed the first of six straight road series. Their next stop is next week at Bowling Green.

Northern Michigan scored the first goal on the power play. Ryan Black’s blast from the right point was wide, but bounced off the boards behind the UAH net to Darien Craighead, who had an open net on Jordan Uhelski.

UAH tied the game at 1-1 as John Teets scored from the slot on a centering pass from the left side by Austin Beaulieu. Teets third goal of the season came with 2:59 left in the period.

NMU quickly gained the lead 57 seconds later. Troy Loggins scored from the left wing on an outlet pass from Jordan Klimek.

The Chargers equalized again with just three seconds left in the first after Jordan Klimek cross-checked Austin Beaulieu. On the power play, Connor Merkley found Josh Kestner in the left circle, who unleashed a one-timer for a 2-2 game at the first intermission.

Kestner struck again at 1:48 of the second period to give UAH its first lead of the night. He took a pass from behind the goal line by Christian Rajic, and scored alone from the slot.

It was Kestner’s 10th goal of the season, surpassing his team-leading total from all of last year.

The Wildcats amped up their offensive pressure in the third period, but Uhelski stopped all eight shots, including a couple while NMU netminder Mathias Israelsson (18 saves) was pulled for the extra attacker for almost the final two minutes.

NMU uses shorties to take down UAH 3-1

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Two shorthanded goals late in the second period were the Chargers’ downfall Friday in a 3-1 loss at Northern Michigan.

UAH (5-9-1 overall, 4-4-1 WCHA) got a goal early in the second by Christian Rajic, but made turnovers on two power plays led to the Chargers’ seventh loss in eight series openers this season. UAH will try to salvage a split on Saturday, where the Chargers are 4-2-1 this year.

BOX SCORE

NMU (8-7-0, 6-3-0) ended a three-game losing streak while outshooting the Chargers 32-16.

The Chargers were very fortunate to get out of the first period unscathed. Most of the action was in the UAH zone, and the Wildcats had a 15-3 advantage in shots on goal.

Jordan Uhelski made all the saves, including one where he was caught out of position and dove back to make a stop on NMU’s Troy Loggins.

But he also needed a little help. During the first of two Wildcat power plays in the period, the net was left open again. Adam Rockwood tried to take advantage with a wraparound, but Madison Dunn was there in the crease to keep the game scoreless.

The second period started well enough, as the Chargers took a 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Christian Rajic, who sneaked one past NMU goalie Mathias Israelsson. His seventh goal of the season, assisted by Connor Merkley and Tyler Poulsen, came with 10:43 left.

UAH had the benefit of back-to-back slashing penalties by the Wildcats, but not only did the Chargers not convert, they gave up back-to-back shorthanded goals and the lead.

With 3:05 left in the period, Denver Pierce finished off a 2-on-1 break with Rockwood following a bad pass in the UAH end to tie the game. Then with 1:12 left, Rockwood was found all alone in front of the UAH net to make it 2-1 UAH.

Northern Michigan extended its lead to 3-1 on the power play at the 5:03 mark of the third period. After a Josh Kestner slashing penalty, Zach Diamontoni sneaked the puck between Uhelski’s legs from the slot.

Uhelski finished with 29 saves.

UAH now finds itself tied for fifth in the WCHA standings with Ferris State, which also has a 4-4 league record and 13 points. NMU is in fourth place with 18 points.

Defenseman Cam Knight was back in the UAH lineup after missing last week’s series against Ferris State with a small injury.

Preview: UAH at Northern Michigan

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Where: Berry Events Center, Marquette, Mich.
When: Friday, 6:07 p.m.; Saturday, 6:07 p.m. (CST)
Watch: WCHA.tv
Team stats: UAH | Northern Michigan

Brandon Salerno (Photo by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography)

Charger update: UAH (5-8-1 overall, 4-3-1 WCHA) gutted out a split against Ferris State last week to finish its six-game homestand. After allowing six unanswered goals in a 6-2 loss on Friday, the Chargers overcame bumps, bruises, and two deficits to win 5-3 on Saturday. UAH finished the homestand 3-2-1, and is 4-2-1 in its last seven games overall.

Northern Michigan is the first of six road series in seven weeks. The Chargers won’t play at home until Jan. 26.

Brandon Salerno scored twice in Saturday’s victory, including the game-winning goal with 7:06 remaining in regulation.

Josh Kestner got a goal in each game to raise his season total to eight to lead all the team. Kestner is third in the WCHA in overall goals. He has 12 points on the season, tied with Tyler Poulsen.

Poulsen had two assists on Saturday, give him a team-leading nine (tied for seventh in the WCHA).

Freshman goaltender Mark Sinclair made his third start of the season on Friday, making 29 saves. Senior goalie Jordan Uhelski was back between the pipes Saturday, stopping 32 of 35 FSU shots in the win.

Charger leaders:
Josh Kestner (Sr., F, 8 goals-4 assists-12 points in 14 games played)
Tyler Poulsen (Jr., F, 3-9-12 in 13 GP)
Brennan Saulnier (Sr., F, 7-4-11 in 14 GP)
Christian Rajic (Fr., F, 6-3-9 in 14 GP)
Kurt Gosselin (Jr., D, 3-5-8 in 14 GP)
Jordan Uhelski (Sr., G, 2.90 goals against average, .907 save percentage in 11 starts)

UAH Tale of the tape Northern Michigan
5-8-1 Overall record 7-7-0
4-3-1 WCHA record 5-3-0
3.62 (2nd) Goals/game 2.38 (T-8th)
3.25 (8th) Goals allowed/game 2.12 (1st)
15.9 (4th) Pen. minutes/game 14.4 (6th)
26.3% (2nd) Power play 16.2% (8th)
80.9% (6th) Penalty kill 89.7% (3rd)
WCHA rank in parentheses, league games only

About the Wildcats: Northern Michigan (7-7-0 overall, 5-3-0 WCHA) has lost three in a row after being swept in a non-conference series at Omaha. It was NMU’s first time being swept this season, following a strong start that included splits with then-No. 6 Wisconsin and then-No. 9 Minnesota State.

Robbie Payne has been the main offensive force for the Wildcats, with 12 goals in 14 games this season. The senior captain is tied for the WCHA lead in overall goals and tied for second in overall points (16). NMU is 6-1-0 when Payne has scored a goal this season.

Phillip Beaulieu (no relation to UAH’s Austin Beaulieu) is tied for fifth in the league in defenseman scoring with 10 points.

Junior Atte Tolvanen is their top netminder, whose 2.43 goals against average is third in the WCHA and .916 save percentage is second. He posted a 35-save shutout at Ferris State on Oct. 14 and a 19-save shutout against Michigan Tech on Nov. 11.

Players to watch:
Robbie Payne (Sr., F, 12-4-16 in 14 GP)
Troy Loggins (Jr., F, 3-9-12 in 14 GP)
Darien Craighead (So., F, 4-7-11 in 13 GP)
Philip Beaulieu (So., D, 4-6-10 in 14 GP)
Atte Tolvanen (Jr., G, 2.43 GAA, .916 SV%, 2 SO in 10 starts)

Series notes: Northern Michigan leads the all time series 11-4-3 (going back to 2003), including a 7-2-1 record in Marquette. However, those two Charger wins at NMU came last season in December by scores of 4-1 and 3-1.

This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.

Friday, Dec. 1
UAH at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
Alaska at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2
UAH at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
Alaska at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.

Chargers finish home stand with 5-3 win over FSU

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UAH got a much-needed win to finish its home stand in up-and-down fashion, beating Ferris State 5-3 Saturday night at the Von Braun Center for a series split.

UAH (5-8-1 overall, 4-3-1 WCHA) got two goals from Brandon Salerno to finish 3-2-1 on its six-game home stand before embarking on a 12-game road swing.

BOX SCORE

The next home game for the Chargers is January 26 against Bemidji State.

Ferris State (6-9-1, 3-4-1) held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in both intermissions, but both were erased by two-goal bursts by the Chargers in the second and third periods.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jeue1w-OkKI[/embedyt]

 

The Bulldogs continued where they left off Friday, when they scored six unanswered goals to win 6-2, and had control of most of the first period.

It took only 1:13 for the Bulldogs to take a 1-0. Corey Mackin’s tip of Nate Kallen’s shot up the middle bounced over UAH goaltender Jordan Uhelski like a bad bounce through an baseball infielder. It was Mackin’s second goal for the series.

UAH had a couple of power play chances, including a five-minute opportunity when Tyler Dorantes drew a major penalty for cross-checking Brennan Saulnier into the boards late in the first.

The power play continued into the start of the second period, and the Chargers finally capitalized. Josh Kestner ripped a one-timer from the left circle to tie the game at 1-1 at the 1:21.

It was Kestner’s team-leading eighth goal of the season, assisted by Brandon Parker on the pass from the high slot, and Tyler Poulsen.

The major power play was cut short on Kestner’s tripping penalty, resulting on some 4-on-4 hockey before a Ferris State power play.

Eight seconds into the FSU advantage, before the Bulldogs could get possession, Saulnier found Salerno in front of the FSU net. Salerno deked FSU goaltender Darren Smith and scored his first goal of the season to give UAH a 2-1 lead at the 3:34 mark.

UAH almost made it 3-1 on a Kestner breakaway, and the goal light went on, but the referee waved it off. Video replay confirmed the no goal as the puck hit the pipe.

Just as quickly as UAH took the lead, Ferris State took it right back.

The Bulldogs converted a Parker tripping penalty into the tying goal by Zac Tierney with 2:58 left in the second. Then Mitch Maloney, who had a hat trick in FSU’s win Friday, made it 3-2 Bulldogs on a breakaway goal with 41 seconds left.

UAH regained the lead with another two-goal spurt halfway through the third.

At 10:06, John Teets scored from near the blue line for his second goal of the season to tie the game at 3-3, with Madison Dunn and Hans Gorowsky getting the assists.

Salerno got his second goal of the game just 2:48 later, taking a nice feed from Poulsen as the Chargers regained the lead again at 4-3.

UAH made sure it would keep that lead for good as Gorowsky converted a two-on-one with Kestner with 1:55 remaining.

The Chargers withstood one final flourish from the Bulldogs, who pulled Smith with about a minute left and got a power play after UAH was assessed a delay of game penalty for intentionally knocking its goal off the mooring.

Uhelski finished with 32 saves in his 11th start of the season. Ferris State outshot UAH 35-26.

With 13 points, the Chargers head into their long road stretch in fifth place in the WCHA standings. The first stop is Northern Michigan next weekend.

Three stars of the game:
1. Brandon Salerno (2 goals)
2. Hans Gorowsky (goal, assist)
3. Tyler Poulsen (2 assists)

Notes: UAH is 4-2-1 on Saturdays this season, but 1-6-0 on Fridays. … FSU defenseman Cam Clarke left the game after taking a puck to the head in the second period.

Ferris State erases early UAH lead, rolls to 6-2 win

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Ferris State scored six straight unanswered goals Friday to defeat the Chargers 6-2 at the Von Braun Center.

UAH (4-8-1 overall, 3-3-1 WCHA) got first-period goals from Adam Wilcox and Josh Kestner to take a 2-0 lead.

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

Then Ferris State (6-8-1, 3-3-1) scored one in the first, two in the second, and three in the third, all by Mitch Maloney, to put the Chargers away en route to the Bulldogs’ third straight WCHA victory.

Game two of the series is Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. in Propst Arena. It will finish off a six-game homestand for the Chargers before they start a run of 12 straight on the road. The next home series will be in late January.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyc2rmFfdXU[/embedyt]

 

The Chargers got on the board first with a Georgia connection. Wilcox (of Alpharetta) with an odd angle shot put in a rebound from Connor Wood (of Buford) for his first goal of the season at the 6:31 mark. It was Wood’s third assist.

UAH made it 2-0 two-and-a-half minutes later thanks to Huntsville native Kestner. He scored his seventh of the season, assisted by Brandon Parker (his second).

Liam MacDougall scored with 6:05 left in the first to cut UAH’s lead to 2-1.

Ferris State put the pedal down in the second period and took the lead.

At the 10:49 mark, Jasen Fernsler tied the game at 2-2 as UAH goalie Mark Sinclair went down after making an initial save on Zach Yoder’s shot. The Bulldogs had a 10-3 shots advantage in the second period at that point.

It was 3-2 Bulldogs with 2:34 left in the second when their captain, Corey Mackin, put in the rebound on Tyler Dorantes’ shot all alone from the slot.

UAH had 25 seconds of power play to start the third period, followed by a 5-on-3 situation, but couldn’t convert any of them. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs added three more, a natural hat trick by Mitch Maloney.

Maloney’s first goal of the game right after the partial power play expired to make it 4-2. Then Maloney got his second with 12:44 to go, then got the third with 7:26 left. He now has 11 goals on the season.

FSU goaltender Darren Smith stopped 31 of 33 UAH shots in the win. Sinclair made 29 saves, but allowed all six goals.

Both teams were scoreless on the power play: Six opportunities for UAH, five for Ferris State.

Preview: UAH vs. Ferris State

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Where: Propst Arena, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala.
When: Friday, 7:07 p.m.; Saturday, 7:07 p.m.
Watch: Tickets | WCHA.tv
Team stats: UAH | Ferris State

Jordan Uhelski

Jordan Uhelski made 60 saves last weekend against Lake Superior State. (Photo by Todd Thompson / RiverCat Photography)

Charger update: UAH (4-7-1 overall, 3-2-1 WCHA) had a split at home against Lake Superior State last week, with the Chargers losing 3-1 on Friday and winning 5-3 on Saturday.

This series against Ferris State will finish UAH’s six-game home stand before playing the next 12 on the road. The Chargers won’t play at the Von Braun Center again for two months.

Christian Rajic scored UAH’s first freshman hat trick in 15 years in Saturday’s win, giving him six goals on the season. He and senior Josh Kestner are tied for second on the team in goals.

Brennan Saulnier scored his team-leading seventh goal on Saturday, already besting his high mark for a season. His 10 points are tied with Tyler Poulsen, who has five assists in the last three games.

Jordan Uhelski has started the last five games for the Chargers in net. He matched a season high against LSSU on Saturday with 41 saves.

Charger leaders:
Brennan Saulnier (Sr., F, 7 goals-3 assists-10 points in 12 games played)
Tyler Poulsen (Jr., F, 3-7-10 in 11 GP)
Josh Kestner (Sr., F, 6-3-9 in 12 GP)
Christian Rajic (Fr., F, 6-3-9 in 12 GP)
Jordan Uhelski (Sr., G, 2.89 goals against average, .906 save percentage)

UAH Tale of the tape
(WCHA rank) 		Lake Superior State
4-7-1 Overall record 5-8-1
3-2-1 WCHA record 2-3-1
2.58 (T-5th) Goals/game 2.00 (T-9th)
3.17 (T-8th) Goals allowed/game 3.00 (6th)
15.4 (2nd) Pen. minutes/game 12.7 (7th)
18.6% (6th) Power play 14.5% (9th)
74.2% (9th) Penalty kill 76.4% (8th)

About the Bulldogs: Ferris State (5-8-1 overall, 2-3-1 WCHA) is coming off being swept by Michigan State in a home-and-home series. Before that, the Bulldogs had won three straight, with a sweep of Alaska at home and finishing a split at Michigan.

Senior forward Mitch Maloney leads FSU with eight goals. He had a five-game goal-scoring streak broken last Saturday against Michigan State.

Goaltending has been split by sophomore Justin Kapelmaster and junior Darren Smith. Each had a start last week against Michigan State.

Players to watch:
Corey Mackin (Jr., F, 2-9-11 in 12 GP)
Mitch Maloney (Sr., F, 8-2-10 in 14 GP)
Ryker Killins (Jr., D, 3-5-8 in 13 GP)
Justin Kapelmaster (So., G, 2.87 GAA, .913 SV%)
Darren Smith (Jr., G, 3.11 GAA, .909 SV%)

Series notes: Ferris State leads the all-time series 14-6-1, and has won six of eight games at the Von Braun Center. However, the Chargers won three of four meetings last season. UAH swept the Bulldogs in Big Rapids 2-1 and 4-3 to open the 2016-17 campaign and split in Huntsville, winning 5-3 and losing 3-1.

Promotions: Kids 12 and under get free general admission to both games, courtesy of Huntsville International Airport. For “Black Friday Blackout”, the first 500 fans to Friday’s game get a black UAH hockey T-shirt, courtesy of Wells Fargo. Fans are encouraged to wear black at Friday’s game.

This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.

Wednesday, Nov. 22
Bemidji State at Princeton, 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 24
* Ferris State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at Princeton, 6 p.m.
Miami at Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m.
Northern Michigan at Omaha, 7:07 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25
* Ferris State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Miami at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
#8 Minnesota State at #16 Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 p.m.
Northern Michigan at Omaha, 7:07 p.m.
USA Under-18 at Lake Superior State (exhibition), 6:07 p.m.

Rajic named WCHA Rookie of the Week

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Christian Rajic

Christian Rajic (Photo by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography)

Charger forward Christian Rajic was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week for his three-goal performance in UAH’s 5-3 win over Lake Superior State on Saturday.

Rajic’s hat trick was the first by a UAH freshman since Jared Ross did it against Bemidji State on March 9, 2002. The Oakville, Ontario native is one of four freshmen to have hat tricks in Division I this season.

Rajic has six goals on the season, tying him for second on the Chargers and sixth in the WCHA. His total of nine points puts him fifth among WCHA freshmen.

In conference games only, Rajic is tied for ninth in scoring with eight points and tied for third in goals with five.

“Blackout” coming Friday: Friday’s series opener at the Von Braun Center against Ferris State will be a “Black Friday Blackout.”

Charger fans are encouraged to wear black at the game. The first 500 fans will receive a free black UAH hockey T-shirt and the next set of UAH hockey trading cards, courtesy of Wells Fargo.

Puck drop for both Friday and Saturday night is 7:07 p.m. Kids 12 and under get free admission to both games, and all home games this season, courtesy of Huntsville International Airport.

 

Photo Gallery: UAH 5, Lake Superior 3, Nov. 18, 2017

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