UMass bites UAH in OT to win Mariucci opener

UAH lost to Massachusetts in overtime on Friday, a 2-1 decision in the opening game of the Mariucci Classic in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Chargers (7-12-2) will face Mercyhurst, which lost to 11-ranked host Minnesota 5-1, in the third-place game. The game is Saturday at 4 p.m. and can be seen online on BTN Plus.

BOX SCORE

The Minutemen (5-12-2) opened scoring as Jake Horton snapped an attempt from the right point, and it snuck between the left post and Jordan Uhelski’s stick side with 4:32 remaining in the first.

UAH had enough chances to get on the board first, outshooting UMass 10-7 in the first period. The Chargers had a power play, but committed two offsides before getting anything on it until late.

The Chargers, who continued to have good looks throughout the second period, tied the game at 3:35. Max McHugh was able to get a stick on a deflected puck in front of the UMass net, scoring his seventh goal of the season. He was assisted by Josh Kestner and Jordan Larson.

UAH could not convert on two big power play opportunities in the latter half of the third period, given thanks to penalties on Griff Jeszka.

The first power play with 7:50 left was mostly in the UMass end until Ray Pigozzi got a shorthanded breakaway, which was saved by Uhelski. Josh Kestner’s slashing penalty on the play killed the rest of the advantage.

Jeszka’s hooking call with 2:12 gave the Chargers one last chance in regulation, but the Minutemen killed it off and forced overtime.

In the extra frame, Jeszka redeemed himself after the penalties with the game-winning goal with 2:50 to go.

UAH outshot UMass 30-19. Uhelski made 17 saves, while Wischow had 29.

UAH finishing off ’16 at Mariucci Classic

CATCHING THE GAMES
Friday, Dec. 30, 4 p.m.
UAH vs. Massachusetts
Watch: BTN Plus (subscription)
Saturday, Dec. 31, 4 or 7 p.m.
UAH vs. Mercyhurst or Minnesota
If UAH vs. Mercyhurst: TBD
If UAH vs. Minnesota:
TV: FSN North+, FCS Central
Online: Fox Sports GoBTN2Go

The Chargers return from their holiday break with their last non-conference games of the season at the Mariucci Classic in Minneapolis, hosted by the University of Minnesota.

UAH will play Massachusetts in the first game on Friday at 4 p.m. The second game between Mercyhurst and Minnesota is at 7 p.m. The losers play in the third-place game Saturday at 4, with the championship game at 7.

This is UAH’s third appearance in the tournament. In 2006, the Chargers finished in third place, losing to Minnesota and beating Massachusetts, and in 2012, UAH finished fourth after losing to then-No. 1 Boston College and Air Force.

Charger recap: UAH (7-11-2 overall, 7-7-2 WCHA) earned its third road sweep of the season on Dec. 9-10, taking 4-1 and 3-1 decisions at Northern Michigan. The Chargers have tied a program record with four straight road victories.

Brandon Parker had a goal in each game, plus an assist, as he earned the WCHA Defensive Player of Week award. Parker has scored in four of his last five games.

Josh Kestner also had two goals and an assist in the series, moving up to 16 points on the season to lead the team and tie him for 8th in the WCHA.

The Chargers are 5-1-1 in Jordan Uhelski's last seven starts. (Photo by UAH Athletics)

The Chargers are 5-1-1 in Jordan Uhelski’s last seven starts. (Photo by UAH Athletics)

Goaltender Jordan Uhelski posted another two solid starts, allowing just the goal in each game and making 47 saves. The junior’s save percentage went up to .908 and his goals against average went down to 2.73. His 2.28 GAA and .917 save percentage in WCHA games are both fourth-best in the league.

The Chargers are tied for fourth place in the WCHA standings with Minnesota State with 23 points. They have already matched their most WCHA wins in a season with seven.

About the Minutemen: Massachusetts (4-12-2 overall, 2-7-1 Hockey East) has lost five games in a row, currently sitting in eighth place in Hockey East. The Minutemen’s last action was two weeks ago against Arizona State, which swept UMass by two 4-1 scores. UMass did get a 5-4 win over then-No. 12 Notre Dame on Dec. 12 before its current losing streak.

UMass relies on a number of underclassmen — 15 of its 40 goals this season have come from freshmen. Sophomore Austin Pleavy leads the squad with five goals and 12 points, while another sophomore (Kurt Keats) and two freshmen (Griff Jeszka and Jonny Lazarus) each have four goals. Senior captain Steve Iacobellis also has four goals, with three coming in the last six games. Freshman Ryan Wischow has been the Minutemen’s primary goaltender, starting 14 of the team’s 18 games (.904 SV%, 2.82 GAA).

In 2006, the Chargers beat Massachusetts 5-2 in the third-place game of the Mariucci Classic, which is the only time UAH and UMass have previously met. That game was on Dec. 30, 2006, ten years to the day of Friday’s matchup.

About the Lakers: Mercyhurst (7-9-1 overall, 7-6-1 Atlantic Hockey), which plays host Minnesota in the semifinals, comes into the tournament on a 3-1-1 stretch in its last five games. The Lakers took three of four points in a home-and-home with Robert Morris two weekends ago, moving into fourth place in Atlantic Hockey.

Junior left wing Jonathan Charbonneau has been the force for the Lakers, scoring 10 goals on the season in 16 games. His centerman, sophomore Derek Barach, has 16 assists for a total of 19 points to lead the club. Defenseman Lester Lancaster has also been dishing out assists with 12. Goaltending duties have been split between junior Brandon Wildung (.896 SV%, 3.64 GAA) and freshman Colin DeAugustine (.921, 2.73).

UAH is 4-6-3 all-time against Mercyhurst, including a 1-4-2 record in the modern Division I era (3-2-1 when both clubs were in Division II). The Lakers have won the last four meetings, having swept series in 2010 and 2011.

About the Golden Gophers: Minnesota (9-5-2 overall, 3-1-0 Big Ten) is ranked No. 11 in the last USCHO.com poll. The Gophers have taken the early lead in the Big Ten and have won four of their last five, including a victory at then-No. 4 Boston College and a split with No. 10 Ohio State.

Sophomore Tyler Sheehy leads the Gophers with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points. A pair of seniors, Justin Kloos and Vinni Lettieri, have each chipped in seven goals. Minnesota has 12 NHL prospects, including Nashville Predator draftees Rem Pitlick (3rd round, 2016) and Tommy Novack (2nd round, 2015). Eric Schierhorn is the primary goaltender (.882 SV%, 2.93 GAA in 16 starts).

UAH is 0-4-0 against Minnesota, all games in Minneapolis. The last matchup was in the 2006 Mariucci Classic, with the Gophers winning 3-1 in the opening game.

Around the WCHA: All times Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.

Wednesday, Dec. 28
Northern Michigan vs. Cornell, 3 p.m. (Florida College Classic, Estero, Fla.)

Thursday, Dec. 29
Michigan vs. Michigan Tech, 2:30 p.m. (Great Lakes Invitational, Detroit)
Colorado College/Merrimack vs. Northern Michigan, 3 or 6:30 p.m. (Florida College Classic, Estero, Fla.)
Ferris State vs. Robert Morris, 6:30 p.m. (Three Rivers Classic, Pittsburgh)

Friday, Dec. 30
UAH vs. Massachusetts, 4 p.m. (Mariucci Classic, Minneapolis)
#15 Bemidji State at Alaska Anchorage, 4:37 p.m.
#16 Western Michigan/Michigan State vs. Michigan Tech, 2:30 or 6 p.m. (Great Lakes Invitational, Detroit)
#6 Boston College/#14 Quinnipiac vs. Ferris State, 3:30 or 6:30 p.m. (Three Rivers Classic, Pittsburgh)
RIT at Bowling Green, 4:07 p.m. (Toledo, Ohio)
Lake Superior State at #20 Omaha, 7:07 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31
UAH vs. Mercyhurst/#11 Minnesota, 4 or 7 p.m. (Mariucci Classic, Minneapolis)
#15 Bemidji State at Alaska Anchorage, 4:37 p.m.
Alaska at #12 Notre Dame, 3:05 p.m.
Lake Superior State at #20 Omaga, 4:07 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 1
Alaska at #12 Notre Dame, 1:05 p.m.

Parker named WCHA player of the week

Brandon Parker (UAH Athletics)

Brandon Parker (UAH Athletics)

After scoring two goals to lead the Chargers of a road sweep at Northern Michigan, Brandon Parker was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

On Friday, Parker scored from just inside the blue line in what would be the game-winning goal in UAH’s 4-1 victory. On Saturday, he put the finishing touches on a 3-1 win with the final goal with 4:07 left in the contest.

Parker added an assist on Friday for a three-point weekend. He has scored goals in three straight games and in four of the last five. The Faribault, Minnesota native was +3 on the weekend and blocked two shots.

It is the fourth time this season a Charger has earned the WCHA Defensive Player Award. Kurt Gosselin won it last week for the second time, and Matt Larose won the first award of the season.

UAH next plays in the first round of the Mariucci Classic at Minnesota against Massachusetts on Dec. 30. The Chargers return home Jan. 6-7 against Minnesota State.

Chargers sweep NMU with 3-1 win; ties road win streak

The Chargers won their fourth straight road game, tying a program record, with a 3-1 victory Saturday night over Northern Michigan in Marquette, Michigan.

UAH (7-11-2 overall, 7-7-2 WCHA) matched the road winning streak set in the 2004-05 season. It was the Chargers’ third road sweep of the season, and UAH is 6-1-1 in road WCHA games.

UAH has matched its highest WCHA win total with 12 conference games to go. With 23 points, UAH is tied with Bowling Green for third place in the WCHA standings.

BOX SCORE

Northern Michigan (4-14-2 overall, 2-11-1 WCHA) is still searching for its first home win of the season.

There was no score in a brief 26-minute first period. The Chargers had one power play opportunity on a questionable tripping call when Kurt Gosselin lost an edge and fell around NMU’s Luke Voltin.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU_8WI-sGfU[/embedyt]

 

While UAH didn’t convert, the Chargers did provide the pressure early, but the Wildcats asserted themselves more as the first period went on. NMU outshot UAH 7-6 in the period.

The second period took a bit longer with more penalties and more goals.

It started with a five-minute major for NMU’s Philip Beaulieu for contact to Hans Gorowsky’s head. Beaulieu was also given a game misconduct at 3:37.

UAH used the power play to take the first lead on a nice passing play. Jordan Larson from behind the net sent the puck to Brennan Saulnier in the right circle, and he found Regan Soquila in the slot, who beat Atte Tolvanen for his first goal of the season at 4:44.

Another odd call on UAH’s Brennan Saulnier for slashing — given despite NMU’s Dominik Shine just falling — killed two minutes of the major power play.

But the Chargers extended their lead to 2-0 during the resulting 4-on-4. Josh Kestner tallied his sixth goal of the season, assisted by Tyler Poulsen and Cody Champagne, just 1:26 after Soquila’s goal.

The Wildcats cut the lead to 2-1 on a goal by Troy Loggins with 5:19 left in the second. He had Brock Maschmeyer on a 2-on-1, and after Champagne went down to block, Loggins fired the puck past Jordan Uhelski’s right side.

That was the only goal Uhelski would allow, as he was on point with every close call the Wildcats would put on. He had 23 saves in the game, and stopped 47 of 49 shots on the weekend.

UAH put the game away with 4:07 left in the game when Brandon Parker’s blast from the right circle for the final 3-1 score. It was Parker’s fifth goal of the season and fourth in his last five game. Cam Knight and Kestner each got their 10th assists of the season.

The goal came after an NMU holding penalty, the Chargers’ second power play goal of the night.

Northern Michigan outshot UAH 24-21 in the contest.

The Chargers are off the next two weekends for the holiday break. They face Massachusetts in the opener at the Mariucci Classic at Minnesota on Dec. 30.

UAH wins 3rd straight road game, beats NMU 4-1

The Chargers’ home record may need some work, but their road record is shoring up nicely.

UAH defeated Northern Michigan in Marquette by a 4-1 score Friday night, improving its WCHA road record to 5-1-1 on the season.

The Chargers (6-11-2 overall, 6-7-2 WCHA) have won three straight away contests for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

BOX SCORE

It was UAH’s first ever win at Northern Michigan (4-13-2 overall, 2-10-1 WCHA), which has yet to win at home this season (0-7-1).

The Wildcats had a good start, though, thanks to noted thorn-in-UAH’s-side Dominik Shine. Shine picked the puck off of Brandon Parker near the UAH blue line, skated in alone on Jordan Uhelski and beat him five-hole at 9:32. It was Shine’s eighth career goal and 14th point against UAH in 13 games.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wy-gPPwgMI[/embedyt]

 

UAH tied the game at 14:27 when Cody Marooney backhanded a loose puck in the crease just between the post and NMU goalie Atte Tolvanen. Marooney’s first goal of the season was assisted by Regan Soquila and Brent Fletcher.

The Chargers took a 2-1 lead with seven seconds left in the first when, as a UAH power play expired, Brandon Parker unleashed a blast from the point. Hans Gorowsky and Josh Kestner got the assists.

UAH extended its lead with two goals in the second period.

With 7:11 remaining, off the face off in the NMU zone, Max McHugh scored his sixth goal of the season — snapping a 10-game goal-less streak — for a 3-1 Charger lead. John Teets had the assist.

Then with 4:50 to go in the frame, Josh Kestner slid the puck past Tolvanen from the left circle to make it 4-1 UAH. Tyler Poulsen had the primary assist with his pass from the boards, and Parker got the other helper.

It was a busy period all around for Tolvanen as UAH outshot 17-7. Tolvanen had 29 saves on the night.

NMU had some chances to close the gap in the third period, including an extended power play situation thanks to overlapping penalties by Matt Salhany and Richard Buri, but came up empty handed. UAH killed all five of NMU’s power play opportunities.

Uhelski finished with 24 saves. UAH was 0-for-6 with the power play.

Game two of the series is Saturday at 6:07 p.m. Central Time and can be seen on WCHA.tv.

Gosselin named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

Kurt Gosselin (Photo by UAH Athletics)

Kurt Gosselin (Photo by UAH Athletics)

UAH sophomore defenseman Kurt Gosselin was named the WCHA’s Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for his performance against Ferris State.

Gosselin scored a hat trick in Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Bulldogs at the Von Braun Center. It was UAH’s first hat trick since 1998 and the first hat trick by a UAH defenseman since 1999.

Gosselin was +2 for the weekend and blocked one shot. He leads the Chargers and all WCHA defenseman with seven goals this season, and is tied for the UAH lead with 13 points.

It’s Gosselin’s second WCHA Defensive Player of the Week award this season, the first coming in November for his two-goal performance against Alaska Anchorage.

UAH’s next action is Friday and Saturday at Northern Michigan.

Ferris State clamps down on UAH, 3-1

The Bulldogs were apparently very tired of losing to the Chargers.

After losing the first three games of the season series, Ferris State staked a lead early and never let UAH get in the game, winning 3-1 on Sunday.

BOX SCORE

UAH (5-11-2 overall, 5-7-2 WCHA), which win Saturday’s game 5-3, managed only 17 shots on goal.

Ferris State (6-10-1, 5-6-1-1) climbed back into a tie with UAH for fifth place in the WCHA standings, and it didn’t take long at all to get on the board.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG98xK9emMU[/embedyt]

Just 34 seconds in, Jared VanWormer scored right in front of the UAH net from a centering pass from Gerald Mayhew.

Ferris State continued to keep the Chargers off balance, and increased its lead to 2-0 as Taylor Fernandez beat UAH goaltender Jordan Uhelski from the slot at the 10:14 mark of the first.

The Chargers finally started to get some offensive pressure in the final five minutes of the first period with the help of three straight penalties by the Bulldogs. Despite also having 1:24 of two-man advantage, UAH was kept off the board as Darren Smith made five saves in the stretch.

Penalties early in the second period prevented the Chargers from getting many offensive chances, but UAH finally got on the board on a power play.

After a Nate Kallen tripping call, Brandon Parker blasted a goal from the right point to cut FSU’s lead to 2-1 with 9:41 left in the second. His third goal of the season was assisted by Cam Knight and Max McHugh.

The third period belonged to Ferris State. Josh Kestner committed a tripping penalty at the end of the second period, and in the resulting power play to begin the third, Mitch Maloney increased FSU’s lead to 3-1 at 1:43.

The Bulldogs would not allow much from the Chargers the rest of the way, outshooting UAH 12-4 for a 33-17 total. Not helping matters for the Chargers were three more penalties in the third period.

Uhelski made the most of the situation, making numerous saves and cover-ups to keep UAH in the game. He finished with 30 saves.

FSU goaltender Darren Smith made 16 saves.

The Chargers’ next action is Friday and Saturday at Northern Michigan for the last WCHA series before the holiday break. UAH returns home Jan. 6 and 7 against Minnesota State.

Preview: UAH hosts Ferris State in rematch

CATCHING THE GAMES
Saturday, Dec. 3, 7:07 p.m.
UAH Christmas cards to first 500
Sunday, Dec. 4, 3:07 p.m.
UAH trading cards to first 500
Season stats: UAH | Ferris State

UAH started the season with a sweep at Ferris State. The Chargers hope more success against the Bulldogs this weekend in Huntsville will provide a boost toward a playoff run.

The series starts Saturday at 7 p.m., with the first 500 fans getting UAH Christmas cards. Sunday’s game is a 3 p.m. start. Kids 12 and under get free general admission.

Supplies For Gatlinburg will be in the lobby at the VBC this weekend collecting items to take up to those affected by the devastating fires this week. Also, all proceeds from Chuck-a-Puck this weekend will be donated to the relief efforts for those affected by the tornadoes in Alabama on Tuesday night.

All-time series: UAH won a pair of one-goal games in Big Rapids on Oct. 1-2, but Ferris State leads the overall series 13-5-1. The Bulldogs are 5-1 against UAH in Huntsville.

Charger recap: UAH (4-10-2 overall, 4-6-2 WCHA) was swept two weeks ago by Bowling Green, keeping the Chargers winless at home this season. UAH had third-period leads in both games but lost 4-1 and 8-3.

Kurt Gosselin had a goal and an assist in the series, extending his point-scoring streak to six games. He now has 10 points on the season on four goals and six assists.

Josh Kestner leads the squad with 12 points, tied for ninth in the WCHA, after a goal and an assist in the last game. Max McHugh still leads the team with five goals, but has been kept off the scoresheet in four straight.

UAH Tale of the tape
(WCHA games only)
Ferris State
4-10-2 Overall record 5-9-1
4-6-2-0 (T5th) WCHA record 4-5-1-1 (T5th)
2.58 (7th) Goals/game 3.00 (T3rd)
3.75 (10th) Goals allowed/game 3.10 (6th)
11.8 (9th) Pen. minutes/game 12.6 (6th)
17.5% (5th) Power play 16.1% (6th)
77.2% (9th) Penalty kill 83.9% (6th)

Goaltender Carmine Guerriero started both games in the Bowling Green series, with mixed results. He stopped 29 of 32 shots in game one, but allowed seven goals in game two.

The Chargers are tied for fifth place in the WCHA standings with Ferris State with 14 points.

About the Bulldogs: Ferris State (5-9-1 overall, 4-5-1 WCHA), after being swept at home by the Chargers, wound up with an eight-game winless streak to start the season. Since then, the Bulldogs have won five of seven, including wins over league contenders Bowling Green and Minnesota State. FSU was also off last week after sweeping Lake Superior State at home.

Senior Gerald Mayhew tops the WCHA in goals with nine in just 11 games, including scoring goals in his last five games. He had two goals against the Chargers on Oct. 2.

Craig Pelfrey’s 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) leads the Bulldogs and is third in the WCHA. Mitch Maloney and Corey Mackin have six and five goals, respectively. Pelfrey and Maloney each had three-point weekends against UAH earlier this season.

Freshman goaltender Justin Kapelmaster has had the hot hand for FSU. In six games (five starts), he has a 1.85 goals against average, a .943 save percentage, and one shutout. He made 73 saves in the Bulldogs’ sweep of Lake Superior, earning him WCHA Rookie of the Week honors.

Sophomore Darren Smith, who was in net against UAH back in October, has a 3.67 goals against average and .881 save percentage in 10 starts.

Around the WCHA: All times Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.

Friday, December 2
* #13 Bemidji State at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Lake Superior State, 6:37 p.m.
* Alaska at #15 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, December 3
* Ferris State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* #13 Bemidji State at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska at #15 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.

Sunday, December 4
* Ferris State at UAH, 3:07 p.m.

Hoof Beats: Hitting the reset button

team-20161118

Carmine Guerriero and the Chargers, who had a bye week during the Thanksgiving holiday, look to lock down some Ws starting this weekend against Ferris State. (Photo by UAH Athletics)

“We’re just tired.”

That’s what UAH coach Mike Corbett told Penalty Box Radio after the Chargers’ last game, a 8-3 letdown against Bowling Green at the Von Braun Center on Nov. 19. Even though UAH had played the last two series at home, playing the first eight weeks straight, with five of the first six on the road, apparently had taken a toll.

Believe it or not, UAH is one game shy of being halfway through its regular season already, having played 16 of 34 games. The first half has been a head scratcher to say the least.

It’s mostly been disappointing, especially after the Chargers started well with a sweep at Ferris State to start the season. The two other wins since have come at Alaska Anchorage, which has won only one game (against Canisius).

The upside is that those four wins have come on the road; UAH is 4-1-1 in WCHA road games. The tie came at Michigan Tech, where the Chargers finally got a point — any point — since joining the league.

However, the Chargers’ home woes have been frustrating. UAH is 0-5-1 at Propst Arena, with the Chargers holding leads in five of those six games.

Finishing has generally been a problem as of late. The Chargers have had a lead in their last seven games, yet they are 2-4-1 in that stretch — the aforementioned sweep at Anchorage being the wins. The tie was a 3-3 result against Alaska, which rallied from 3-0 down and scored in the 3-on-3 second overtime to steal two points from UAH.

The losses have been close until late, with the opponents scoring an empty-net goal to seal the deal (or, in the case of the 8-3 debacle against Bowling Green, an empty-netter plus two garbage goals).

“We’ve got to learn to win those games,” Corbett said. “When something bad happens, we’ve got to learn to fight back. … We’ve been able to score first goals and get leads at certain times, and then when adversity hits, we don’t deal with it very well.”

That the difference, it seems, from past years: Many of these losses could have been wins, despite still not scoring at a great clip (2.12 per game, about the same as last season).

The defense, however, has not been good. UAH is last in the WCHA and 56th in Divsion I giving up 4.06 goals per game. The Chargers are blocking tons of shots, second in the WCHA at 14.44 per game, but that hasn’t been enough.

Still, the Chargers are tied for 5th place in the WCHA standings, so they are very much in the hunt for a return to the WCHA playoffs. After a week off to reset the season — which continues this weekend at home against Ferris State — may be what they need to, as has been the mantra all season, turn the corner.

In the pros: Brandon Carlson, who played his last game for the Chargers on Nov. 19 as he finished his NCAA eligibility, didn’t take long to play his first pro game.

Carlson joined the Indy Fuel of the ECHL on Nov. 23, and the defenseman is +3 in two games played so far.

Talbot update: UAH alum Cam Talbot has had a fine season so far in his second year with the Edmonton Oilers, sporting a .921 save percentage and 2.45 goals against average with three shutouts. Talbot has been a big reason why the Oilers are in first place in the Pacific Division.

Promotions: The first 500 fans at Saturday’s game against Ferris State will receive a free UAH hockey Christmas card. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

Sunday’s game starts at 3 p.m., with the first 500 fans getting the next set of UAH hockey trading cards.

There will be no Blue Line Club luncheon this week.

Late collapse for Chargers in loss to Bowling Green

It was close for most of the game, but in the end, it’s still a stinging blowout.

Bowling Green scored six third-period goals — four in the final 7:33 — to rout UAH 8-3 on Saturday at the Von Braun Center, completing a two game sweep.

UAH (4-10-2 overall, 4-6-2 WCHA) held the lead twice in the game. It was the seventh straight game the Chargers held a lead, but they are now 2-4-1 in that stretch.

BOX SCORE

Bowling Green (6-7-1 overall, 5-3-0 WCHA) continued their hot pace, winning its sixth game out of seven.

Senior defenseman Brandon Carlson played his final game at UAH, it was announced during pre-game introductions. Carlson’s five-year eligibility window, which started when he enrolled in college classes while playing juniors, is expiring after playing 120 games as a Charger, scoring nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points.

There was no scoring in the first period, although each team had chances. The Falcons pressed the issue early on, pinning the Chargers in their zone for about three minutes. In the end of the frame, however, BGSU managed only seven shots on goal.

The goals came in the second period, with Bowling Green getting on the board early. Mitch McLain deflected Mark Friedman’s shot from the left point past UAH goaltender Carmine Guerriero just 45 seconds in for a 1-0 BGSU lead.

The power play was where UAH would grab the lead. At 10:40 of the second, Falcon winger Stephen Baylis checked UAH defenseman Brandon Parker from behind in a corner of the BGSU zone, earning him a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.

The Chargers pounced immediately. Off the faceoff, Austin Beaulieu scored his first collegiate goal five seconds into the power play to tie the game at 1-1.

Alec Rauhauser’s interference penalty gave UAH a two-man advantage, and the Chargers scored quickly again to take the lead. Ten seconds into the 5-on-3, Parker was back on the ice and scored on a blast from the point with 6:23 left in the second.

Parker’s second goal of the season was assisted by Cam Knight and Josh Kestner.

It was the seventh straight game that UAH had held a lead, but with 1:34 left in the second, McLain tallied his second goal of the game on a rebound off the cross bar and a wide-open net to tie the game at 2-2.

More penalties filled the early part of the third period, and UAH took a 3-2 lead on a 4-on-3 power play at the 3:28 mark. Kestner got his fourth goal of the season on a one-timer from the left circle, assisted by Knight and Kurt Gosselin.

The lead lasted only 17 seconds as Tyler Spezia snuck one past Guerriero.

Brett D’Andrea gave Bowling Green the lead again at 4-3 at the 6:19 mark, and even with 10 minutes left, UAH was still in the hunt against the WCHA favorites.

Then, complete collapse.

The Falcons scored four goals in the final 7:33. Kevin Dufour scored twice — one on a Bowling Green power play after Gosselin committed a slashing penalty, then another with 1:34 to go right after Guerriero was pulled for an extra attacker and the Chargers down two.

Bowling Green then scored two garbage-time goals 21 seconds apart in the final minute of play for the final score of 8-3. First Lukas Craggs, then McLain to complete his hat trick.

Bowling Green only outshot the Chargers 30-28. Guerriero was tagged with seven goals on 29 shots.

The Chargers are off next week before hosting Ferris State on Dec. 3-4 to complete their homestand. UAH is now 0-5-1 at home this season.