Time for the shortest conference road trip! The Chargers visit Bowling Green on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop is 6:07 p.m. Central Time both nights. Follow all the action:
Bowling Green leads 7-2-1 in the all-time series with UAH. The Falcons and Chargers last met in Oct. 2011, with BG winning 4-2 and 3-0. BG has a 4-0-1 overall record against UAH at home.
UAH lost 5-2 to Notre Dame and 1-0 to Western Michigan last week at the Shillelagh Tournament in South Bend, Indiana. The loss to WMU was the Chargers’ fifth one-goal loss this season, all on Saturdays. Jeff Vanderlugt scored two goals against Notre Dame, giving him three on the season to move into a tie for the team lead.
The Falcons have lost five of their last seven, with four of those seven games going to overtime. BG was swept at Lake Superior by identical 4-3 scores last week, which dropped the Falcons to a tie for fifth place with Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan in the WCHA.
UAH is searching for its first win of the season. The Chargers have lost 23 straight games dating back to last season, and have lost 16 straight on the road.
Next week, the Chargers return home to face Minnesota State at the Von Braun Center.
The Chargers’ Movember campaign was a success, raising $1,140 toward the fight against prostate cancer and promotion of men’s health. The team’s goal this year was $1,000.
Talbot watch: Former Charger Cam Talbot made his second straight start in goal for the New York Rangers on Monday. No. 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t happy, but said he supported coach Alain Vigneault’s decision. Unfortunately, Talbot followed with his first off game of the season, allowing four goals in the Rangers’ 5-2 loss at home to Winnipeg. “I have to do a better job,” Talbot said afterward.
New commitment: Tyler Poulsen, a forward for the Topeka Roadrunners of the NAHL, has committed to UAH for next season, according to Chris Heisenberg’s recruiting list.
Poulsen, 20, of Arvada, Colo., has 21 points in 28 games with Topeka so far this season. He had 13 goals and 19 assists last season with Topeka, his fourth full season in the NAHL.
Literal one-goal games: Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Western Michigan in the third-place game of the Shillelagh Tournament was only the seventh 1-0 game in UAH’s varsity hockey history, dating back to 1985 — also the sixth of this season (UAH lost to Bemidji State 1-0 on Oct. 26). Actually, all seven games occurred since 2004. UAH is now 2-5 all-time in 1-0 games.
Around the WCHA: Ferris State just keeps rolling. The Bulldogs won and tied at Northern Michigan at home to remain undefeated in WCHA play at 8-0-2. FSU stayed at No. 6 in the USCHO.com poll and No. 7 in the USA Today/USA Hockey poll. One big reason the Bulldogs keep winning: goaltender C.J. Motte.
Bemidji State remained in second while tying and losing to Miami in non-conference action at home. But Lake Superior State and Minnesota State were able to leapfrog Bowling Green after series sweeps. The Lakers, who took two from Bowling Green, rose two spots to No. 14 in the USCHO.com poll.
WCHA Standings
Conference
Overall
GP
W
L
T
Pts
W
L
T
Ferris State
10
8
0
2
18
11
2
2
Bemidji State
10
5
4
1
11
5
8
3
Lake Superior State
8
5
3
0
10
9
4
1
Minnesota State
8
5
3
0
10
7
7
0
Bowling Green
10
4
5
1
9
6
7
3
Michigan Tech
8
4
3
1
9
6
8
2
Northern Michigan
8
4
3
1
8
6
6
2
Alaska-Anchorage
10
3
5
2
7
6
6
2
Alaska
8
2
6
0
4
5
7
2
Alabama-Huntsville
8
0
8
0
0
0
14
0
THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA All times Central.
* WCHA game.
Friday, December 6 * UAH at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Lake Superior State, 6:37 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Minnesota State, 7:37 p.m.
* Alaska at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Saturday, December 7 * UAH at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Alaska at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Jeff Vanderlugt scored twice and turned a potential blowout into a one-goal game, but 11th-ranked Notre Dame pulled away for a 5-2 win over UAH in the Shillelagh Tournament in South Bend on Friday.
The Chargers, still looking for that elusive first win, take on Western Michigan in the consolation game Saturday at 3:05 p.m. Central Time. The game can be seen online at WatchND.tv. Northeastern defeated Western Michigan in a shootout after a 1-1 tie.
Notre Dame struck quickly at 4:08 of the first to take a 1-0 lead. Just 17 seconds after a hooking call on Graeme Strukoff, Andy Ryan scores a power-play goal, putting in a rebound off of Matt Larose after a blast from T.J. Tynan.
Tynan then scored himself, down low at 10:19. Stephen Johns increased the Irish lead to 3-0 just 23 seconds later.
UAH cut the lead to 3-1 with 21 seconds left in the first. Brandon Carlson’s shot from the right point reached Vanderlugt, who collected the puck in the slot and beat Notre Dame goaltender Chad Kutanar. It was Vanderlugt’s second goal of the season, assisted by Carlson and Doug Reid.
The goal came on the Chargers’ fourth shot, compared to 16 for Notre Dame in the first period.
UAH stepped it up to start the second, and closed to within a goal. Vanderlugt notched his second goal of the game as he redirected a Jack Prince shot past Kutanar to make it 3-2 with 9:03 left. Steve Koshey got the other assist.
But Notre Dame soon regained their three-goal advantage to end the second. Mario Lucia’s shot from the left side was missed by Larose to make it 4-2, and then Robbie Russo made it 5-2 with a shorthanded tally.
No goals and no penalties in the third period while Notre Dame continued to dominate possession. The Irish outshot the Chargers 44-15 for the game.
Holiday tournament time! The Chargers are in South Bend, Indiana, this weekend to play in the Shillelagh Tournament, hosted by Notre Dame. UAH plays the 11th-ranked Irish tonight at 6:35 p.m., and will play either Northeastern or Western Michigan at 3:05 p.m. in the championship or consolation game.
UAH vs. Notre Dame: This is the first of two visits to South Bend for UAH this season, as the Chargers return for a regular two-game series with the Fighting Irish on January 10 and 11.
The last time UAH played Notre Dame was in South Bend to start the 2009-10 season: The Chargers stunned the fifth-ranked Irish 3-2 in the first game, and lost 3-1 in the second game. UAH is 6-7 all-time against the Irish, and the Chargers’ 3-2 double overtime loss in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal in 2007 is the longest game in UAH hockey history.
Notre Dame was swept at UMass-Lowell last weekend.
UAH vs. Northeastern: The Huskies would be the first repeat opponent for the Chargers this season if they meet on Saturday. NU beat UAH 9-1 and 3-2 in Boston to open the season. Northeastern is coming off a sweep of a home-and-home series with Merrimack. Kevin Roy’s 11 goals are tied for fourth-most in the nation.
UAH vs. Western Michigan: The Broncos hold an 11-1 all-time series lead against the Chargers, the lone UAH win coming on Oct. 20, 2000. The teams last met in Kalamazoo in Oct. 2011. WMU swept a home-and-home with Michigan State last week. Shane Berschbach is seventh in the nation in points per game (1.42).
Last week, we updated you on how some former Chargers are doing in the pros. This week, we’re have some updates on who will be donning the blue and white in the near future.
Max McHugh signs his national letter of intent to play for UAH in 2014-15 (photo via Twitter).
The early signing period for 2014-15 concluded on November 20. We currently know of one signing.
Max McHugh is a forward for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League. The Edgewood, Wash. native scored 41 goals and 105 points over the last three seasons for the Wenatchee Wild of the North American Hockey League. This season he has five points in 17 games for the Fighting Saints, and helped Dubuque win the bronze medal at the Junior Club World Cup last summer.
UAH has picked up three more verbal commitments:
Josh Kestner, a Huntsville native, is coming to UAH next season. The Huntsville High grad is in his second season with the Sarnia Legionnaires of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. He is currently seventh in the GOJHL with 39 points in 25 games.
Joey Marooney, Cody‘s brother, announced he will join the Chargers in 2015. The Eden Prairie, Minn. native is a forward for Holy Family Catholic High School.
Ivan Bondarenko committed to UAH earlier this month, and is slated to become the Chargers’ first-ever Russian player in 2015. Bondarenko is tearing up the NPHL with the West Sound Warriors, with 15 goals and 17 assists in just 14 games this season.
For more information on UAH’s recruiting, visit the Commitments page. A reminder: The university and the coaching staff cannot officially comment on any player until he has signed an National Letter of Intent, and UAHHockey.com is not affiliated with the university or the coaching staff.
Happy Thanksgiving: In this week’s episode of Tradition Continues, the team would like to pass on their holiday wishes:
Up next: The Chargers make their first of two trips to South Bend, Indiana, this weekend. UAH plays host Notre Dame in the Shillelagh Tournament on Friday at 6:35 p.m. The Chargers play either Northeastern or Western Michigan on Saturday.
A shillelagh is a wooden club or cudgel associated with the Irish. Is that what Notre Dame calls their hockey sticks?
Another shutout for Talbot: Cam Talbot was back in the South on Saturday night, and he earned his second shutout in as many starts. The former Charger and current New York Ranger made 17 stops in a 2-0 victory over the Predators at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The Rangers have won in Talbot’s last five starts.
Around the WCHA: Ferris State remained undefeated in league play after a sweep of Alaska in Big Rapids, Mich. The Bulldogs are 7-0-1 in the WCHA, leading Bemidji State (which split at home with Lake Superior) by four points despite playing two fewer conference games. Bowling Green split with Minnesota State in Mankato to stay in third place with nine points.
Ferris State moved up four spots in this week’s USCHO.com poll to No. 6, and earned a first-place vote. Lake Superior State is the WCHA’s other ranked team, staying at No. 16. In the USA Today/USA Hockey poll, Ferris is ranked seventh.
WCHA Standings
Conference
Overall
GP
W
L
T
Pts
W
L
T
Ferris State
8
7
0
1
15
10
2
1
Bemidji State
10
5
4
1
11
5
7
2
Bowling Green
8
4
3
1
9
6
5
3
Northern Michigan
6
4
2
0
8
6
5
1
Alaska-Anchorage
8
3
3
2
7
6
4
2
Lake Superior State
6
3
3
0
6
7
4
1
Minnesota State
6
3
3
0
6
5
7
0
Michigan Tech
6
2
3
1
5
4
8
2
Alaska
6
2
4
0
4
5
5
2
Alabama-Huntsville
8
0
8
0
0
0
12
0
THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA All times Central.
* WCHA game.
Friday, November 29 UAH at Notre Dame (Shillelagh Tournament), 6:35 p.m.
* Ferris State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Lake Superior State, 6:37 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Minnesota State, 7:37 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Miami at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m.
Saturday, November 30 UAH vs. Northeastern or Western Michigan, 3:05 or 6:35 p.m.
* Ferris State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Miami at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
There’s a chance for lake effect snow this weekend along Lake Superior and Marquette, Mich., where the Chargers will resume WCHA action against the Northern Michigan Wildcats.
The Chargers stopped in Green Bay on Thursday to practice and visit Lambeau Field. Photo by Joey Daniels, UAH Sports Information Follow @uahchargers on Instagram
That shouldn’t prevent you from watching and cheering the boys tonight and Saturday at 6:07 p.m. Central both nights. Here’s how:
VIDEO: WCHA TV on America One (subscription – remember that a subscription gets you ALL WCHA games for all teams)
Mathias Dahlstrom
(7 GS, 2.43 GAA, .922 SV%)
Michael Doan
(3 GS, 3.86 GAA, .863 SV%)
UAH is 0-3-1 all-time against Northern Michigan. The last meeting was Jan. 31, 2004 in Huntsville, a 3-3 tie.
NMU comes into the series on a 3-game unbeaten streak. Idle last weekend, the Wildcats won and tied at Western Michigan. NMU is currently in a five-way tie for fifth in the WCHA with four points.
Stephan Vigier has been the top offensive force for Northern Michigan. Vigier leads the WCHA in goals with 10, and is average a goal a game. He and C.J. Ludwig are among the top ten in the league in points.
How are some former Chargers doing in the pro ranks this season?
It’s easy to see how goaltender Cam Talbot is doing. The New York Rangers have won four of Talbot’s five starts. On Saturday, Talbot notched his first NHL shutout, making 22 saves in a 1-0 win over the Canadiens in Montreal.
Talbot has a 1.58 goals against average and a .943 save percentage serving as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup. All five starts have come on the road.
Here’s a look at how some other alumni are faring this season:
Justin Cseter has a goal and seven assists in nine games with the Huntsville Havoc of the SPHL. His goal came in the Havoc’s home opener on Nov. 8.
Curtis DeBruyn has already played 21 games this season for Miskolci Jegesmedvék in Hungary, also posting a goal and seven assists.
Sebastian Geoffrion has two goals and two assists with the Arizona Sundogs of the Central Hockey League. He was suspended three games for excessive fighting in a game on Oct. 26.
John Griggs has played six games for the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the SPHL with a 2.83 goals against average and an .891 save percentage.
Scott Munroe, who had dressed for the Flyers but did not play, has a 2.10 goals against and a .912 save percentage in 20 games for the Växjö Lakers in Sweden.
Jared Ross, the other former Charger to see ice time in the NHL, has yet to play for IRC Ingolstadt in Germany this season as he recovers from a herniated disc.
And Tyler Butler is still at it, signing with the Brampton Beast of the CHL. The defenseman from the UAH class of 2003 got an assist in his first game, but has been on injured reserve.
For updated statistics of all former UAH players in the pros, visit our In the Pros page.
This royal blue long sleeve training top comes with a UAH Hockey logo. Also comes in black.
Now you can get the Nike UAH Hockey gear the Chargers wear around campus and support the program!
From now until November 30, you can purchase Nike UAH Hockey training tops and polos. A portion of the sales will go to straight the UAH Hockey program. The items on the site will include a UAH Hockey logo, and can be purchased in black or royal blue.
From UAH Director of Hockey Operations Nick Laurila:
As we all know, this is an exciting time for UAH Hockey! The university administration and the coaching staff know how important you are to this program. Therefore, one of my roles at the university, is to actively involve the hockey community and the UAH supporters in activities and benefits surrounding the team.
You may have seen the players around campus, sporting their new NIKE UAH gear, and we would like to open up the sales of these items to YOU as well!
Simply go to: http://nsgteamsports.com/fan-stores/university-of-alabama-huntsville/hockey
to see what is available in UAH Hockey NIKE attire. The items on the site will include a UAH hockey logo. Please place all orders by 11/30/2013. The UAH hockey team will receive a portion of the sales ordered through this link. You will be supporting us monetarily through your order, and in brand awareness every time you wear your UAH Hockey attire and showcase that you are a UAH HOCKEY Fan!
Thank you for your continued support, and do not hesitate to contact me as I continue to find ways to grow the UAH hockey community. Go Chargers!