Author Archives: Michael Napier

Series Preview: at Bemidji State, Jan. 9-10

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CATCHING THE GAMES
Times: 7:37 p.m. Fri, 7:07 p.m. Sat
Online video: WCHA.tv (subscription)
Online audio: Beaver Radio Network
Live stats: Friday | Saturday
Twitter: @weloveuahhockey, @uahhockey, @BSUBeavers

Back at it. UAH vs. Bemidji State.

The Chargers begin the second half of the WCHA league schedule with a trip to their old rivals, the Bemidji State Beavers. Both teams are riding unbeaten streaks and look to use this series as a springboard up the conference standings.

Both games from the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota, can be seen on WCHA.tv. Friday’s game begins at 7:37 p.m. Saturday’s game starts at 7:07 p.m.

All-time series: UAH and Bemidji State have played each other 74 times, the most of any opponent in Charger history, starting with the 1994 NCAA Division II championship. BSU leads the series 41-29-4 overall and 23-9-1 in Bemidji. Last season, the Beavers won both games in Huntsville in UAH’s first-ever WCHA series, but UAH stunned BSU in Bemidji 2-1 before losing 4-1 in the second game.

Chargers recap: UAH (5-14-3 overall, 4-10-0 WCHA) swept a two-game series with a Division I opponent for the first time since Jan. 29-30, 2010 with a pair of one-goal victories over Alaska-Anchorage at the Von Braun Center. The Chargers moved into eighth place in the WCHA standings with 8 points, one point behind Bemidji State.

On Friday, Max McHugh scored twice and Cody Marooney added another as UAH built a 3-0 lead. The Chargers held on to win 3-2.

On Saturday, Marooney got his second game-winning goal, breaking a 1-1 tie in the second period for a 2-1 UAH victory. Brandon Carlson scored the first goal for the Chargers.

Carmine Guerriero stopped 58 of 61 shots for the series, raising his save percentage to .934, which is 3rd in the WCHA and 9th in Division I. His goals against average dropped to 2.31.

McHugh has taken over the rookie lead in the WCHA with 15 points. Jeff Vanderlugt, Jack Prince, and Chad Brears each have 10 points. Brandon Parker added a couple of assists in the series to raise his team-leading total to nine.

UAH Tale of the tape
(WCHA rank)		 BSU
5-14-3
4-10-0 WCHA (8th)		 Record 5-10-3
3-6-3 WCHA (7th)
1.86 (9th) Goals/game 2.89 (5th)
3.00 (8th) Goals allowed/game 3.17 (9th)
16.5 (2nd) Pen. minutes/game 10.7 (8th)
18.8% (2nd) Power play 16.2% (7th)
83.9% (6th) Penalty kill 79.7% (9th)

About the Beavers: Bemidji State (5-10-3 overall, 3-6-3 WCHA) will see its first action in four weeks after a lengthy holiday break. The Beavers are unbeaten in five games (2-0-3), most recently winning and tying Northern Michigan at home on Dec. 12-13. BSU’s schedule has been tough, with the first seven series coming against ranked opponents.

The Beavers’ top scoring threat, Brendan Harms, was expected to be out 4-6 weeks after an injury caused by a hit against Alaska-Anchorage on Dec. 6. Sophomore center Nate Arentz has moved to the top of BSU’s scoring list with seven goals and 14 points. All-conference defenseman Matt Prapavessis leads the Beavers in assists with eight.

Then there are the Baby Geniuses/Super Babies: Gerry, Leo, and Myles Fitzgerald. The freshman triplet, Gerry (center), Myles (right wing), and Leo (left wing) have combined for eight goals and 23 points this season.

The Beavers have split goaltending duties with senior Andrew Walsh (2.85 goals against, .900 save percentage) and freshman Michael Bitzer (2.66, .897).

WCHA Standings Record Pts.
Minnesota State 11-2-1 23
Michigan Tech 10-2-0 20
Bowling Green 8-1-1 17
Alaska* 7-7-0 14
Northern Michigan 5-6-3 13
Ferris State 6-6-0 12
Bemidji State 3-6-3 9
Alabama-Huntsville 4-10-0 8
Lake Superior State 3-11-0 6
Alaska-Anchorage 2-6-2 6
* Ineligible for postseason play

Around the WCHA: All 10 teams are seeing conference action this week.

While UAH and Bemidji State are bringing unbeaten streaks into their series, the hottest teams in the WCHA are meeting in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Alaska Nanooks have won four straight, while the 11th-ranked Falcons are unbeaten in their last seven.

And UAH-Bemidji isn’t the only rivalry series this week. No. 8 Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan have a home-and-home, playing in Marquette on Friday and Houghton on Saturday.

Tech will be looking to gain ground on league-leader and 4th-ranked Minnesota State, which hosts Lake Superior State. Ferris State, looking to stop a four-game slide, finishes their two-week odyssey in Alaska with a Thursday-Friday series in Anchorage.

Here’s the schedule for league teams the next two weeks. All times are Central. Games involving WCHA teams at home can be seen online on WCHA TV.

Thursday, January 8

* Ferris State at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.

Friday, January 9

* UAH at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m.
* Alaska at #11 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* #8 Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at #4 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, January 10

* UAH at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
* Alaska at #11 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at #8 Michigan Tech, 6:37 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at #4 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.

* WCHA conference game

Hoof Beats: Marooney, McHugh earn WCHA weekly honors

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Cody Marooney

Cody Marooney (Photo by Chris Brightwell)

Two Chargers earned WCHA weekly awards Monday for their contributions to UAH’s sweep of Alaska-Anchorage over the weekend.

Cody Marooney was named UAH’s first WCHA Offensive Player of the Week after scoring both game-winning goals. His goal on Friday gave UAH a 3-0 lead early in the second period, and the Chargers held on to win 3-2. On Saturday, his goal at 12:50 of the second period broke a 1-1 tie en route to a 2-1 Charger victory.

The two goals raised Marooney’s season total to three. The sophomore from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has played in all 60 UAH games the past two seasons.

The WCHA Rookie of the Week is Max McHugh, who had a three-point weekend. The freshman from Seattle scored the Chargers’ first two goals in the first period in Friday’s win, and pitched in an assist in UAH’s first goal on Saturday. He is the third Charger to win the award, following Matt Larose last season and Brennan Saulnier back in November.

McHugh has 15 points on the season, already the highest single-season total in the past four years. He leads all WCHA rookies in points is tied for 11th overall.

CG35 stays strong: Goaltender Carmine Guerriero just missed on the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week (again — he’s been nominated SEVEN times this season), but he had another good week between the pipes. Guerriero stopped 58 of 61 shots combined as his record rose to 5-8-2 on the season.

Guerriero’s goals against average dropped to 2.31, and his save percentage rose to .934. His save percentage is now third best in the WCHA and tied for ninth in all of Division I.

Maybe it’ll stick.

Around the WCHA: No. 13 Bowling Green got to play outside on Saturday, hosting No. 19 Robert Morris at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, home of the Mud Hens and the Detroit Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate. There was concern that the rainy weather would delay or cancel the game, but the teams played to a 2-2 tie. Bowling Green won the second game at Robert Morris on Sunday, and moved up to No. 11 Monday in this week’s USCHO.com poll.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1ZKc4QPuS4

No. 5 Michigan Tech went to Madison to play a struggling Wisconsin team, and blew out the one-win Badgers on Friday, 8-1. But the Badgers got that second win on Saturday, stunning the Huskies 2-o despite being outshot 47-19. Tech dropped three spots to No. 8.

While Tech was playing a non-conference series, Minnesota State moved into sole possession of first place in the WCHA with a three-point weekend at Northern Michigan. The Mavericks cruised to a 4-1 win on Friday, but just managed a 2-2 tie on Saturday. Minnesota State is now ranked fourth in the poll.

Ferris State struggled in its first weekend in Alaska, getting swept by the Nanooks. Alaska got the game-winner Friday with 5:32 to win 2-1, and rolled FSU goaltender C.J. Motte and the Bulldogs on Saturday, 6-0. Alaska goalie Davis Jones notched his fourth shutout.

Shake it off: We end this edition of Hoof Beats with some silliness, courtesy of the UAH Blue Crew and all Charger athletes. You’re welcome.

UAH gets the sweep! Chargers top Seawolves, 2-1

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Sweep!

Oh man, it’s been a while since we could say that. We knew the boys had it in them to defend home ice for a full weekend, and they did it.

UAH took both games of a two-game series against a Division I opponent for the first time in nearly five years, beating Alaska-Anchorage 2-1 on Saturday night at the Von Braun Center. The Chargers won 3-2 on Friday night. It’s UAH’s first-ever sweep of a WCHA series.

The last time the Chargers did that was January 29-30, 2010, in a College Hockey America series against Niagara at the VBC.

The Chargers (5-14-3 overall, 4-10-0 WCHA) moved into sole possession of eighth place in the WCHA standings with eight points, two ahead of UAA (5-9-4, 2-8-2 WCHA) and idle Lake Superior State. UAH is one point behind seventh-place Bemidji State, which will host the Chargers next weekend (Jan. 9-10).

Carmine Guerriero had another big game, stopping 26 of 27 shots. The lone goal allowed came in the first to give UAA the early lead, but UAH scored two nice second-period goals to win a second straight game.

UAH actually had more scoring chances in the first period, but it only took one mistake to get down early. Austin Azurdia stole the puck in the UAA zone and started a two-on-one break. He kept the puck himself and beat Guerriero to give the Seawolves a 1-0 lead 6:28 into the contest on their first shot on goal.

While there was many hits on both sides during the first period, the only two penalties were slashing calls against the Chargers, one on Graeme Strukoff and another on Craig Pierce.

Despite all that, UAH outshot UAA 8-4 in the first period. But the Chargers broke out in the second period.

Near the halfway point, UAA’s Austin Coldwell cross-checked Regan Soquila. On the ensuing power play, Brandon Carlson, from the slot, redirected a Brandon Parker blast past Jared D’Amico to tie the game at 1-1 with 9:10 left. It was Carlson’s fourth goal of the season, with Parker and Max McHugh picking up assists.

Just two minutes later, Cody Marooney gets his third goal of the season to put the Chargers up front at 2-1. Marooney followed up on a big rebound from a shot off the stick of Jeff Vanderlugt, who got his fifth assist. Parker also helped for his team-leading ninth assist.

Parker’s two assists on the night earned him the first star of the game.

The Seawolves tried to get as much rubber on Guerriero as they could early in the third, notching the first five shots on goal — some on the power play after a Frank Misuraca holding penalty. UAA had 16 of their 28 shots on goal in the final frame, and Guerriero had to make key saves during the final minutes.

Anchorage’s last gasp was in the final 1:18, when D’Amico was pulled for the extra attacker and, with 45 seconds remaining, the Chargers were penalized for too many men on the ice. Guerriero came up big with two saves during UAA’s 6-on-4 situation in the waning moments.

After UAH visits Bemidji State next weekend, the Chargers return home to host Northern Michigan on Jan. 16-17.

Notes: Announced attendance was 2,143. … Max McHugh’s seven goals and 15 points lead all WCHA freshmen. … The Chargers have allowed at least one goal in 150 straight games. UAH’s last shutout was a 1-0 win over Robert Morris on March 12, 2010 in the CHA semifinals. The goaltender was current New York Rangers netminder Cam Talbot. … UAH’s last two-game sweep was actually in Dec. 2012, but that was against Division III Finlandia at the VBC. … The Seawolves have yet to win a road game this season (0-7-1).

Series Preview: vs. Alaska-Anchorage, Jan. 2-3

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Happy New Year! The Chargers kick off the second half of the 2014-15 campaign with a WCHA series with the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop is 7:07 p.m. both nights at the Von Braun Center.

The first 500 fans to Friday’s game receive a free set of UAH Hockey trading cards, and the first 500 at Saturday’s game get a free UAH Hockey T-shirt. Kids 12 and under get in free to both games.

CATCHING THE GAMES
Times: 7:07 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Tickets: Ticketmaster: Friday | Saturday
Complete ticket information
Promotions: Kids 12 & under get free admission
Fri.: UAH trading cards to first 500
Sat.: UAH T-shirts to first 500
Online video: WCHA.tv (subscription)
Live stats: UAHChargers.com
Twitter: @weloveuahhockey, @uahhockey, @UAAHockey
More previews: UAHChargers.com
GoSeawolves.com

All-time series: It’s been almost all Seawolves since the series began in 1987: UAA leads 18-2-1. Both Charger wins came in Huntsville, but those happened in 1991 and 1992. Last season saw an end to a 20-year hiatus in the series, with Anchorage going 3-0-1 against the Chargers. UAH tied the first game in Huntsville 1-1 before falling 4-1.

Chargers recap: UAH (3-14-3 overall, 2-10-0 WCHA) lost 2-1 and tied 3-3 in its final non-conference series of the season at No. 12 Omaha two weeks ago. The Chargers are winless in their last seven since beating Ferris State on Nov. 12.

In the opening game on Dec. 2o, Omaha scored goals in the first and third period to win 2-1. Jeff Vanderlugt’s tally with 11 seconds remaining in regulation averted the shutout. Carmine Guerriero made 29 saves.

On Dec. 21, the Chargers had leads of 2-0 and 3-1, but Omaha rallied to tie 3-3 with the equalizer coming with 20 seconds left in regulation. Jack Prince, Max McHugh, and Alex Carpenter.

McHugh and Vanderlugt top the Chargers with five goals apiece. McHugh now leads the team in points with 12, which is tied for the WCHA among freshmen with Minnesota State’s C.J. Franklin. Prince joins McHugh in double-digit points with 10.

Guerriero has a 2.44 goals against average. His .932 save percentage is 4th in the WCHA and tied for 12th in Division I.

UAH Tale of the tape
WCHA rank in parentheses		 UAA
3-14-3
2-10-0 WCHA (10th)		 Record 5-7-4
2-6-2 WCHA (T8th)
1.80 (9th) Goals/game 2.31 (7th)
3.15 (8th) Goals allowed/game 2.81 (7th)
16.9 (2nd) Pen. minutes/game 17.8 (1st)
18.3% (4th) Power play 12.8% (8th)
83.5% (6th) Penalty kill 80.5% (8th)

About the Seawolves: Alaska-Anchorage (5-7-4 overall, 2-6-2 WCHA) is ranked 12th in this week’s USCHO.com poll. The Seawolves will be seeing their first action in four weeks: Their last games were Dec. 5-6, where they had back-to-back ties at home against Bemidji State.

Junior Blake Thatchell is the Seawolves’ leading scorer with 12 points on three goals and nine assists. Senior Brett Cameron has five goals to lead UAA. Sophomore defenseman Chase Van Allen also has nine assists.

Freshman goaltender Olivier Mantha matches Guerriero’s goals against average at 2.44, and his .928 save percentage is fifth in the WCHA. He has one shutout, coming at home against Northern Michigan on Nov. 22.

WCHA Standings Record Pts.
Michigan Tech 10-2-0 20
Minnesota State 10-2-0 20
Bowling Green 8-1-1 17
Ferris State 6-4-0 12
Northern Michigan 5-5-2 12
Alaska* 5-7-0 10
Bemidji State 3-6-3 9
Lake Superior State 3-11-0 6
Alaska-Anchorage 2-6-2 6
Alabama-Huntsville 2-10-0 4
* Ineligible for postseason play

Around the WCHA: Including UAH-UAA, there are three conference series on tap this weekend. Third-ranked Minnesota State, tied with No. 5 Michigan Tech atop the league standings, visits Northern Michigan, while Ferris State starts a two-week odyssey in Alaska with a series in Fairbanks.

Tech, which beat Ferris State in the third-place game in the Great Lakes Invitational, goes to Wisconsin.

On Saturday afternoon, No. 13 Bowling Green plays outdoors for the first time, taking on No. 19 Robert Morris at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio, home of the Toledo Mud Hens, the Detroit Tigers’ Triple-A minor league affiliate. Both teams meet again in Pittsburgh (back indoors) on Sunday.

Here’s the schedule for league teams the next two weeks. All times are Central. Games involving WCHA teams at home can be seen online on WCHA TV.

Friday, January 2

* Alaska-Anchorage at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* #3 Minnesota State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
#5 Michigan Tech at Wisconsin, 7 p.m.

Saturday, January 3

* Alaska-Anchorage at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* #3 Minnesota State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
#19 Robert Morris vs. #13 Bowling Green at Fifth Third Field, Toledo, Ohio, 11 a.m.
#5 Michigan Tech at Wisconsin, 7 p.m.

Sunday, January 4

#13 Bowling Green at #19 Robert Morris, 6:05 p.m.

* WCHA conference game

Hoof Beats: College hockey world learning about Guerriero

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Opponents may still scoff at UAH’s record, but they’re also finding out that when Carmine Guerriero is between the pipes, you’re going to have a tougher time than expected.

College Hockey News recently did a profile on Guerriero, who was an emergency recruit to fill UAH’s need for a third goaltender. Now the Chargers’ No. 35 is their No. 1.

Guerriero stopped 58 of 63 shots at 12th-ranked Omaha on Dec. 20-21 as the Chargers lost a one-goal game and notched a tie. The sophomore from Montréal has been in net for all three UAH wins and two of the three ties. He had a 54-save performance at Minnesota State, and a 44-save game in the overtime loss at Alaska on Dec. 12, where he stone-cold stopped a two-on-none breakaway.

This season, Guerriero has a 2.44 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. That save percentage, which puts him on pace to break Derek Puppa’s UAH single-season record, is good for fourth in a goalie-loaded WCHA. It’s also tied for 11th in all of Division I, all this while facing over 36 shots per game, the most in the WCHA among goaltenders who have played the most minutes for their teams.

Blazers for Chargers: A contingent of green and gold is expected at the Von Braun Center this weekend, but they won’t be cheering for Alaska Anchorage.

The movement #FreeUAB is encouraging Blazer fans, angry at the announced elimination of the UAB football program, to make their voice heard at the UAH hockey game Friday night against the Seawolves.

Former UAH Pep Band member Elliot Brindley, who also played in the UAB Blazer Band, is organizing the gathering. Blazer faithful are asked to wear UAB gear, cheer loud for UAH, and bring signs that say ‪#‎FreeUAB and ‪#‎FreeUAH‬ to hold up during stoppages in play.

Part of it is to show solidarity with fellow University of Alabama system member UAH. The announced cut (and later saving) of UAH hockey in 2011 raised questions about how UAH and UAB sit in the system compared to the main school in Tuscaloosa.

For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

This week’s promotions: The first 500 fans to Friday’s game receive a free set of UAH hockey trading cards. On Saturday, the first 500 fans get a free UAH hockey T-shirt.

As always this season, kids 12 and under get free admission courtesy of Huntsville International Airport.

Blue Line Club luncheon: Before every home series, come meet and greet with the coaches at the Blue Line Club luncheon. This Friday at noon at the Varisty Room, Alaska Anchorage head coach Matt Thomas and UAH head coach Mike Corbett will speak.

Terranova’s is catering. Tickets are $8 at the door, and free for Blue Line Club members.

No. 12 Omaha rallies in third to tie Chargers, 3-3

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Penalties give, and penalties take away.

The Chargers staked a 2-0 lead in the second period, but Omaha scored two power play goals in the third and an extra attacker goal with 20.8 seconds left to force a 3-3 tie on Saturday.

BOX SCORE

UAH (3-14-3) ended a 24-game losing streak against ranked opponents, but the Chargers had their chances to make it a W against the 12th-ranked Mavericks (11-4-3) of the NCHC to finish the non-conference season and 2014.

Charger goaltender Carmine Guerriero, making his second straight start, made 29 saves, and he had to be strong early to keep the game scoreless after one. He made seven saves in the first period, and was shaken a little bit after Luc Snuggerud, after a drive to the net, was knocked into him by Richard Buri with 4:02 left in the period. He used the media timeout to get focused, and was able to keep the Mavericks at bay.

UAH then struck for two goals in the second period, both on the power play.

Brian Cooper went off for slashing at 3:32 of the frame, and the Charger power play was ugly to start, but so beautiful at the end. Turnovers led to three UNO chances shorthanded. Just as the power play was expiring, Jack Prince received a cross-ice pass from Max McHugh, slamming a one-timer past Crosswaithe to give UAH a 1-0 lead.

It was Prince’s third goal of the season. McHugh’s assist was his seventh, and Brandon Parker notched his team-leading eighth assist.

After James Polk was called for hooking at 11:10, McHugh made it 2-0 UAH on a goal of his own, cutting across the slot to beat Crosswaithe after getting a feed from Chad Brears. McHugh’s fifth goal of the season was assisted by Brears (sixth) and Prince (seventh).

Meanwhile, Guerriero kept squaring off on pucks as UNO desperately tried to cut into the Charger lead. Jake Guentzel knows all too well, as he was denied on point-blank shots in the final minutes of the second period.

Then came a penalty-filled third period for the Chargers, which allowed the Mavericks to come back.

UNO started the third replacing Crossthwaite, who was making his first career start, with Ryan Massa, their top netminder, as the Chargers would open the period on the power play. UAH would be stopped, and that was their last power play chance of the night.

At 5:03, Carpenter goes off for hooking. It took only five seconds to end the shutout, and for Ortega to finally get on the scoresheet for the weekend. His 10th goal of the season cut UAH’s lead to 2-1.

Carpenter did make amends just 14 seconds later, scoring his second goal of the season to regain the two-goal lead for the Chargers at 3-1. He was assisted by Jeff Vanderlugt and Matt Salhany.

Vanderlugt went into the box for interference after knocking down Massa at 9:27, and UNO again quickly converted. Ortega notched his second goal of the game just 15 seconds into the power play to make it a one-goal game again, 3-2 UAH.

The Chargers withstood two more power plays on McHugh’s tripping call at 13:54 and Brears’s boarding penalty at 16:37, but not without scares. With five minutes to go, the Mavericks found the post with Guerriero prone. UNO pulled Massa during the last power play to essentially give them a two-man advantage.

In all, UAH had five penalties in the third period, including a 10-minute misconduct on Brears for arguing the boarding call. That was more than the four they had in all of Friday’s game (a 2-1 Omaha win).

UNO pulled Massa again with 30 seconds in regulation, and Guentzel would finally not be denied. Dominic Zombo won the faceoff to Guerriero’s left, and Guentzel fired the puck past Guerriero with 20.8 seconds left to tie the game at 3-3 and force overtime.

Guentzel almost won the game for the Mavericks with under two minutes left in overtime, but Guerriero came up big to keep the game a draw.

After overtime, Omaha won the three-round shootout 1-0. The NCHC has shootouts to settle ties for conference standings, but for nonconference games and NCAA purposes it goes down as a tie for both teams. It was UAH’s first-ever shootout.

After a holiday break next weekend, the Chargers return home to WCHA play against the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves on January 2 and 3. Puck drop at the Von Braun Center both nights is 7:07 p.m.

NOTES: The last time UAH did not lose to a ranked opponent was Jan. 6, 2012, a 3-2 win at No. 11 Denver. … Omaha outshot the Chargers 32-28. … McHugh has his second multi-point game of his career with the assist and goal in second period.

Series Preview: at Omaha, Dec. 20-21

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The Chargers’ last series of 2014 is at 12th ranked Nebraska-Omaha this weekend. Puck drop is at 7:07 p.m. Saturday and 5:07 p.m. Sunday.

CATCHING THE GAMES
Times: 7:07 p.m. Sat, 5:07 p.m. Sun
Online video: NCHC.tv (subscription): Sat | Sun
Online audio: KZOT
Live stats: Click here
Twitter: @weloveuahhockey, @uahhockey, @UNO_Hockey

All-time series: Omaha leads 10-2-2 in the series, which dates back to Omaha’s inaugural varsity season of 1997-98. The last meetings were in Omaha in November, 2012, and the Mavericks won 3-2 and 8-0. The last UAH victory came on Nov. 2, 2011, a 3-1 win in Nashville. The other Charger victory was Jan. 29, 2011 in Omaha, 2-1 in overtime.

Chargers recap: UAH (3-13-2 overall, 2-10-0 WCHA) has lost five straight following a two-game sweep at Alaska in Fairbanks.

In the Friday game, Max McHugh put UAH on top in the second period with his fourth goal of the season (and team-leading ninth point), but the Nanooks tied it up just 2:45 later and Tyler Munson scored the game-winner in overtime as Alaska won 2-1. UAH stayed in the game despite being outshot 46-17, thanks to Carmine Guerriero’s 44-save performance.

In the Saturday game, the Nanooks dominated in a 4-0 win. Matt Larose stopped 37 shots as Alaska had another favorable shots on goal disparity, but the Charger penalty kill — which had a streak of 17 straight kills — allowed three power play goals and could not muster much of a threat offensively.

Guerriero is now 10th in the Division I in save percentage at .934.

UAH Tale of the tape
NCAA rank in parentheses		 UNO
3-13-2
2-10-0 WCHA		 Record 10-4-2
6-3-1 NCHC
1.78 (53rd) Goals/game 3.19 (T19th)
3.22 (47th) Goals allowed/game 2.44 (T24th)
16.4 (6th) Pen. minutes/game 12.4 (24th)
17.0% (29th) Power play 15.9% (34th)
84.6% (25th) Penalty kill 86.2% (T20th)

About the Mavericks: Omaha (10-4-2 overall, 6-3-1 NCHC) is ranked 12th in this week’s USCHO.com poll. Last week, they swept No. 12 St. Cloud State at home by scores of 3-2 and 5-3 to extend their winning streak to three games. At 20 points, the Mavericks are in third place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, one point behind co-leaders Miami and Minnesota-Duluth.

Sophomore right wing Austin Ortega leads UNO in goals (9) and points (18) this season. He leads the team by far in shots on goal (63), and six of his nine goals are game-winners. Sophomore left wing Jake Guentzel is on Ortega’s line, and has 16 points with 11 assists.

Freshman Jack Randolph leads Omaha in assists with 13, sitting on a line with sophomore Justin Parizek, who has seven goals.

Senior Ryan Massa is the Mavericks’ top goaltender, sporting a 2.06 goals against average and a .935 save percentage.

WCHA Standings Record Pts.
Michigan Tech 10-2-0 20
Minnesota State 10-2-0 20
Bowling Green 8-1-1 17
Ferris State 6-4-0 12
Northern Michigan 5-5-2 12
Alaska 5-7-0 10
Bemidji State 3-6-3 9
Lake Superior State 3-11-0 6
Alaska-Anchorage 2-6-2 6
Alabama-Huntsville 2-10-0 4

Around the WCHA: UAH is the only WCHA team in action this weekend, and UAH-UNO is the only regulation game in NCAA hockey. The Chargers are off next weekend, while most of the league’s Michigan schools are in holiday tournament play, notably the Great Lakes Invitational.

Here’s the schedule for league teams the next two weeks. All times are Central. Games involving WCHA teams at home can be seen online on WCHA TV.

Saturday, December 20

UAH at #12 Omaha, 7:07 p.m.

Sunday, December 21

UAH at #12 Omaha, 5:07 p.m.

Sunday, December 28

Michigan Tech vs. Michigan, 2:30 p.m. (Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit)
Ferris State vs. Michigan State, 6 p.m. (Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit)
Lake Superior State vs. Cornell, 6:30 p.m. (Florida College Classic in Estero, Fla.)

Monday, December 29

Great Lakes Invitational 3rd place game, 2:30 p.m.
Great Lakes Invitational championship, 6 p.m.
Lake Superior State vs. Miami or Notre Dame, 3 or 6:30 p.m. (Florida College Classic in Estero, Fla.)

Nanooks shut down Chargers 4-0 to complete sweep

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After a heartbreaking loss on Friday, the Chargers did not have much for the Alaska Nanooks on Saturday night. And it didn’t help that their much improved penalty kill cooled off at the wrong time.

Alaska rolled to a 4-0 victory over UAH (3-13-2 overall, 2-10 WCHA) to complete a two-game sweep. The Nanooks (10-8 overall, 5-7 WCHA) used three power play goals and a 41-14 shots advantage to take the game from start to finish.

UAH, which lost 2-1 in overtime on Friday night, dug a hole for itself in the first period with two goals 1:47 apart.

First, after a Cody Marooney tripping penalty, Nolan Huysmans put in a rebound past Matt Larose on the ensuing power play to give Alaska a 1-0 lead. The goal at the 6:01 mark broke a streak of 17 straight penalties killed by the Chargers.

Then at 7:48, Tyler Morley notched his sixth goal of the season, beating Larose with a backhander and giving the Nanooks a 2-0 advantage through one period.

UAH had a chance to cut Alaska’s lead after Brennan Saulnier’s rush out of the penalty box was denied by goaltender Davis Jones, who had his third shutout of the season with 14 saves. But it was all Nanooks after that.

The critical juncture came at 6:36 of the second, when Saulnier made contact to the head on Alaska’s Kyle Froese, drawing a five-minute major and a game misconduct. It was Saulnier’s fifth major penalty of the season, and his second game misconduct call for contact to the head.

Alaska took advantage to extend its lead to three, as Josh Atkinson’s one-timer from the right circle found space behind the net.

The Nanooks rode the power plays and the momentum to a 17-3 shots on goal lead in the second period. Ten of those shots were on the power play.

More penalties kept the Chargers from mounting any sort of rally in the third period. Meanwhile, Alaska tallied a third power play goal by Marcus Basara at 8:46, giving the Nanooks a 4-0 lead.

Larose made 37 saves on 41 Alaska shots to spell Carmine Guerriero, who was peppered with 46 shots in Friday’s game. Larose has made 32 or more saves in all seven of his starts this season.

The Nanooks had a total of 87 shots on goal for the series.

The Chargers have lost five straight heading into a non-conference series next Saturday and Sunday at Nebraska-Omaha.

Chargers fall to Alaska in overtime, 2-1

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Box score

In the end, you thank Carmine Guerriero for even making the situation possible. But in the end, it’s still a painful loss for the Chargers.

Tyler Munson’s goal with 3:37 left in overtime gave Alaska a 2-1 win over the Chargers on Friday night at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.

Alaska outshot UAH by a 46-17 margin. Guerriero stopped 44 of those shots, but couldn’t make a 45th as Munson, finding the puck all alone and crossing in front of Guerriero, was able to tuck it past him and he couldn’t poke it away.

Last season, the Nanooks won both games in Fairbanks against the Chargers by 6-1 scores, with similar advantages in shots on goal. This time, Guerriero was the difference, making all the critical saves — including two on an Alaska two-on-none break late — to keep UAH within sight of a fourth win of the season.

Alaska fired away early and often, putting 11 shots on goal to the Chargers’ three. Guerriero’s biggest save came with about six minutes left in the period, when the puck was all alone in the slot and Guerriero out of position. The ever-scary Tyler Morley, who was tied for third in the WCHA with 16 points coming into the night, pounced with a one-timer, but Guerriero got back to keep the game scoreless.

UAH’s best chance of the first came on a steal by Brennan Saulnier in the Alaska zone, but he was denied by defenseman Josh Atkinson backing up goaltender Davis Jones.

Alaska’s possession dominance continued into the second, as the Nanooks peppered Guerriero with the first seven shots on goal in the frame.

But it was actually the Chargers who struck first. Cody Champagne’s drive from just inside the blue line found Chad Brears in front of the Nanook net, then Max McHugh, who redirected it past Jones to give UAH a 1-0 lead with 10:52 left in the second. It was McHugh’s fourth goal of the season.

It would be UAH’s only shot on goal of the second for a while, and Alaska eventually found a way to find the net. Alec Hajdukovic, on a rush on the right side, beat Guerriero on a shot high and glove side to tie the game at 1-1 with 8:07 left in the second. Nolan Kaiser and Trevor Campbell got the assists.

Matt Salhany had a chance with a shorthanded break and Regan Soquila had a left wing drive, but Jones prevented the Chargers from retaking the lead.

So after two periods, Alaska had a 25-8 shots on goal advantage, but it was a tie game.

Even though Alaska would outshoot UAH 17-9 in the third, it seemed like a more balanced period.

With just under five minutes remaining in regulation, Cody Marooney failed to beat Jones on a 2-on-1 with Matt Salhany — the best chance the Chargers have to steal the victory.

Then came the two-on-none Alaska breakaway. Guerriero stopped Brandon Morley’s first shot, then robbed Marcus Basara on the rebound with 3:23 left in regulation.

The Chargers and Nanooks face off again Saturday at 10 p.m. Central Time/7 p.m. Alaska.

Notes: Guerriero has made 30 or more saves for the ninth time in 11 starts. … The Chargers have lost seven straight in the all time series with Alaska. … UAH’s last overtime loss was Feb. 3, 2012, a 4-3 decision at Maine.

Series Preview: at Alaska, Dec. 12-13

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The Chargers, after an off week for rest and final exams, are in Fairbanks this weekend to face the Alaska Nanooks at the Carlson Center. Puck drop both nights is 10:07 p.m. Central Time (7:07 p.m. Alaska).

CATCHING THE GAMES
Times: 10:07 p.m. CT Fri. & Sat.
Online video: WCHA.tv (subscription)
Online audio: KCBF
Live stats: Click here
Twitter: @weloveuahhockey, @uahhockey, @Alaska_Hockey, @NanookHockey
More previews: UAHChargers.com
AlaskaNanooks.com

All-time series: Alaska leads the series 14-6-1, and has won the last six games against UAH. The Nanooks 9-3 all-time against the Chargers in Fairbanks, where UAF won both of last season’s contests by 6-1 scores.  Last year’s series marked the first meetings between the two programs since 1992. Technically UAH hasn’t won in Fairbanks since the Nanooks forfeited a 9-5 win on Dec. 11, 1991 for using an ineligible player, but UAH won for real on Dec. 10, 6-3.

Chargers recap: UAH (3-11-2 overall, 2-8-0 WCHA) has lost three straight after being swept at home by then-No. 6 Michigan Tech two weeks ago.

In the Friday game, Craig Pierce put the Chargers ahead with a shorthanded goal just 1:06 into the game, but couldn’t hold off the Huskies in a 4-2 defeat. Jack Prince scored the other goal for UAH, and Carmine Guerriero made 30 saves in his fifth straight start.

In the Saturday game, Brandon Carlson and Frank Misuraca tallied goals, but it wasn’t enough as Michigan Tech won 5-2. Matt Larose stopped 32 shots in his return between the pipes.

The Chargers continued to fare well on the penalty kill, keeping the Huskies to 0-for-10 with the man advantage for the series. Opponents are 4-for-42 on the power play in the last six games. UAH leads the nation in combined special teams at 62.5 percent.

The Chargers now have five players with five points to lead the team: Max McHugh, Brandon Carlson, Jack Prince, Matt Salhany, and Brandon Parker. McHugh and Frank Misuraca each have three goals. UAH has 20 points from freshmen this season — a third of the team’s total.

Freshman Max McHugh leads the Chargers in scoring with eight points on three goals and five assists. Prince, Brennan Saulnier, and Brandon Parker each have seven points, while Misuraca and Jeff Vanderlugt lead UAH with four goals apiece.

Defensively, Carlson leads the nation in blocks with 41. Goaltender Carmine Guerriero now has a 2.49 goals against average and a .931 save percentage, which is fourth in the WCHA and 15th in Division I. Larose has a 3.79 GAA and a .908 save percentage.

UAH Tale of the tape
WCHA rank in parentheses		 UAF
3-11-2
2-8-0 WCHA		 Record 8-8-0
3-7-0 WCHA
1.94 (9th) Goals/game 2.81 (5th)
3.25 (8th) Goals allowed/game 3.06 (7th)
16.5 (2nd) Pen. minutes/game 11.1 (8th)
18.0% (4th) Power play 16.9% (6th)
86.2% (6th) Penalty kill 81.2% (7th)

About the Nanooks: Alaska (8-8-0 overall, 3-7-0 WCHA) has had a rather rocky season. The Nanooks won their first five games, then lost the next five while learning of their postseason ban this season for NCAA eligibility infractions. They have since righted the ship somewhat, going 3-3 in their last six, including a split last weekend in Mankato against No. 2-ranked Minnesota State. Alaska won 5-4 in overtime last Friday before losing 5-2 last Saturday.

Junior center Tyler Morley is Alaska’s leading scorer with 16 points, tied for third in the WCHA. Morley has been hot of late, with four of his five goals coming in the last four games, including three in the Minnesota State series.

Sophomore Marcus Basara leads the Nanooks with seven goals on the season, and junior defenseman Colton Parayko, a 3rd round pick by the St. Louis Blues in the 2012 NHL entry draft, joins him with 12 points. Freshman forward Austin Vieth has six goals, including two goals (one being the overtime game-winner) against the Mavericks last Friday.

Sophomore Davis Jones has become Alaska’s netminder, starting the Nanooks last five games while senior goalie Sean Cahill has been injured. Jones has a 3.06 goals against average and a .870 save percentage.

UAH alum Lance West is in his fifth season as assistant coach. He is 15th on the Chargers’ all-time varsity scoring list with 113 points on 45 goals and 68 assists, playing from 1991-95.

WCHA Standings Record Pts.
Michigan Tech 10-2-0 20
Minnesota State 10-2-0 20
Bowling Green 8-1-1 17
Northern Michigan 5-4-1 11
Ferris State 4-4-0 8
Alaska 3-7-0 6
Lake Superior State 3-9-0 6
Alaska-Anchorage 2-6-2 6
Bemidji State 2-6-2 6
Alabama-Huntsville 2-8-0 4

Around the WCHA: Three conference series are on this weekend’s schedule, but the big series is a non-conference affair in Houghton, where No. 4 Michigan Tech hosts No. 9 Minnesota-Duluth. No. 3 Minnesota State, tied with Tech atop the WCHA standings, hosts Princeton in another non-league series.

Here’s the schedule for league teams this week. All times are Central. Games involving WCHA teams at home can be seen online on WCHA TV.

Friday, December 12

* UAH at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m.
#9 Minnesota-Duluth at #4 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
Princeton at #3 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.

Saturday, November 15

* UAH at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
#9 Minnesota-Duluth at #4 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
Princeton at #3 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.

Idle: Alaska-Anchorage, #13 Bowling Green