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Sinclair stops 39 as UAH shuts out Michigan Tech

Mark Sinclair is developing into one of the top goaltenders in the WCHA.

The sophomore stopped all 39 shots he faced, leading the Chargers to a 1-0 win over Michigan Tech in Houghton on Friday, giving UAH its first shutout victory in three years. It’s Sinclair’s first collegiate shutout.

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Bailey Newton scored in the first period, and Sinclair made it stick as the Huskies threw all they could at him. It was the first UAH shutout since Matt Larose blanked Lake Superior State on Oct. 31, 2015.

The 39 saves tied a UAH record for saves in a shutout, joining Derek Puppa (against Minnesota State in 1995) and Scott Munroe (against Robert Morris in 2005). It was also the first 1-0 win for UAH since March 12, 2010, a shutout by Cam Talbot also against Robert Morris.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWXrRhYDc4E[/embedyt]

UAH (3-14-0 overall, 3-8-0 WCHA) has won two in a row, following up on its win last Saturday at Bemidji State. The Chargers moved into eighth place in the WCHA standings as Ferris State lost to Northern Michigan.

The loss was a blow to Michigan Tech (9-7-1, 8-2-1), who came into the game one point behind Minnesota State for the WCHA lead.

UAH got its goal with 9:30 left in the first period. Newton, a freshman defenseman, got his first collegiate goal and point with a one-timer blast up the middle from just inside the blue line.

John Teets gave him the feed for his fifth assist of the season. Connor Merkley earned his second helper.

The Chargers withstood a surge of pressure by the Huskies immediately afterward, but Sinclair was able to keep the UAH lead at intermission with nine saves.

The Tech barrage kept going in the second period, as the Huskies put 18 shots on goal to the Chargers’ five. And most of those five occurred during a UAH power play around the midway point of the period.

However, thanks to some quick saves from far and near by Sinclair — and a crucial post hit by Jake Lucchini — the Chargers kept Michigan Tech off the board and their lead into the third.

The Huskies got another 12 shots on goal in the third period, thanks in part to three power plays. The last one started with 51 seconds left, after they had already pulled their goaltender Robbie Beydoun (16 saves) for the extra attacker.

Tech had one final flurry in the final ten seconds, but Sinclair made point-blank stops on the Huskies top scoring threats. The Chargers were finally able to clear the puck to secure the win and the shutout.

Michigan Tech outshot UAH 39-17 for the game. Each team had four penalties and four failed power plays.

Game two of the series is Saturday night at 6 p.m. CST.

Featured file photo by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography.

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Preview: UAH at Michigan Tech

Where: John C. MacInnes Student Ice Arena, Houghton, Mich.
When: Friday and Saturday, 6:07 p.m. CST
Watch: FloHockey.tv (subscription required)

Charger update: UAH (2-14-0 overall, 2-8-0 WCHA), coming off a desperately needed victory at Bemidji State, hit the road again for another WCHA series at Michigan Tech.

After a nondescript 4-0 loss on Friday, the Chargers scored four unanswered goals to frustrate the Beavers 4-2 on Saturday. Four different Chargers found the net: Connor Wood (first), Bauer Neudecker (2nd), Cam Knight (1st), Connor Merkley (1st). Jesper Ohrvall had two assists to give him a team-leading six.

Jake Theut, the senior graduate transfer from Northeastern, finally got his first collegiate victory, making 21 saves. He now sports a .910 save percentage and 3.52 goals against average. Mark Sinclair played in Friday’s game, and now has a .916 save percentage and 2.93 GAA.

UAH is off next week before heading to a non-conference holiday tournament, the Catamount Cup at Vermont, on Dec. 28-29. The Chargers’ next home series is Jan. 4-5 against Ferris State.

UAH 2018-19 statistics

About the Huskies: Michigan Tech (9-6-1 overall, 8-1-1 WCHA) stands in second place in the WCHA standings, one point behind Minnesota State.

Since sweeping the Chargers in Huntsville last month, the Huskies have gone 6-3-1. Two of those losses were non-conference affairs at Clarkson, and the other came last Friday in Marquette against their arch-rival Northern Michigan, 5-3. Tech got revenge with a 3-1 win last Saturday at home.

Jake Lucchini leads all Tech scorers with six goals and 13 assists for 19 points. He had two goals in the second game against UAH. Defenseman Seamus Donohue is second with 11 points, 10 on assists. They lead an offense that is second in the WCHA with 4.00 goals per game in league play.

Junior goaltender has a 2.86 goals against average and .895 save percentage in a team-leading 10 starts. Robbie Beydoun was between the pipes in Saturday’s win over NMU, stopping 28 of 29 saves in his first start of the year.

Trenton Bliss was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week, scoring two goals and three points against NMU. He now has four goals and 10 points in 14 games. Two other freshmen, Brian Halonen and Alec Broetzman, also have four goals.

Michigan Tech 2018-19 statistics

Series notes:
Overall:
Michigan Tech leads 15-1-2.
In Houghton: Michigan Tech leads 8-1-1.
Last 10 meetings: Michigan Tech leads 7-1-2.
Last meeting: Nov. 2-3, 2018 in Huntsville. Michigan Tech won 2-1 and 4-1.

This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. All WCHA home games can be seen on FloHockey.tv.

Friday, December 14
UAH at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
Ferris State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
#3 Minnesota State at #12 Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.

Saturday, December 15
UAH at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
Ferris State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
#3 Minnesota State at #12 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.

Sunday, December 16
Lake Superior State at USA Under-18 Team (exhibition), 1 p.m.

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Chargers score four straight to upend Beavers

What a time to have a scoring burst.

UAH scored four unanswered goals, three in the third period, to defeat Bemidji State 4-2 on Saturday in Bemidji and get a series split.

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It was a big turnaround for the Chargers (2-14-0 overall, 2-8-0 WCHA), who had a season high in goals after a lackluster 4-0 loss Friday.

The Chargers came out with more energy at the start, even though it was the Beavers (7-7-2, 5-4-1) were able to score two quick goals.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9zt4iHyWy0[/embedyt]

Charlie Combs’ backhander from just inside the right circle put BSU up 1-0 at the 7:04 mark. It was Combs’ fourth goal of the series after a natural hat trick on Friday.

Dillon Eichstadt followed up with a blast from inside the blue line 65 seconds later.

UAH got on the board right after their first power play expired. Connor Wood followed up on an Adam Wilcox shot to score his first goal of his UAH career with 7:45 remaining in the first.

The second period had no scoring, and not many scoring chances. Shots were 5-all in the period.

UAH then went on an unexpected scoring burst, getting two goals in 38 seconds early in the third period to take a 3-2 lead.

On a delayed penalty call, Bauer Neudecker took a centering pass from Christian Rajic, who beat BSU goalie Zach Driscoll to tie the game at the 3:56 mark.

On the ensuing power play, Cam Knight’s shot from the high slot found its way to the net at 4:34. Jesper Ohrvall got the assist.

The Chargers withstood two Bemidji power plays, and then extended their lead to 4-2 on Connor Merkley’s first tally of the year. He put in a rebound off a John Teets shot. Teets and Ohrvall got the assists.

BSU pulled Driscoll and had the extra attacker for the final 3:34 of the game. Bemidji State used that time to get a final 23-17 shots on goal advantage.

UAH goaltender Jake Theut gets his first collegiate victory, making 21 saves.

UAH travels to Michigan Tech next Friday and Saturday.

Three Stars of the Game:
1. Cam Knight, UAH (Game-winning goal)
2. Jesper Ohrvall, UAH (2 assists)
3. Charlie Combs, BSU (1 goal, 1 assist)

Cam Knight (pictured) scored the game-winning goal. File photo by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography.

 

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UAH shut out by Bemidji State

Bemidji State defeated UAH 4-0 on Friday at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minn.

UAH was never really in it, being outshot 40-15 as the Chargers fall to 1-14-0 overall and 1-8-0 in the WCHA.

Charlie Combs had a natural hat trick for Bemidji State (7-6-2, 4-2-1), and Hank Johnson got the shutout with 15 saves.

Bemidji State dominated the first period, outshooting UAH 18-2, but could only get one goal past Mark Sinclair. Alex Ierullo deflected a Dillon Eichstadt blast for a 1-0 lead.

The Chargers came out stronger in the second period on the opening faceoff, which lead to a 2-on-1 and a scoring chance for Bauer Neudecker.

Buoyed by a 5-on-3 power play, UAH was able to get some shots on Hank Johnson, but failed to score.

The Chargers’ next best chance to score came shorthanded. After a Jack Jeffers roughing penalty, the Beavers turned the puck over just outside their zone, and Hans Gorowsky was able to get a breakaway, but he too was stopped by Johnson.

BSU scored with five seconds left on that same power play, as Combs made it 2-0 with 4:31 left in the second.

Bemidji went up 3-0 just 59 seconds into the third as Combs drove up the right side toward Sinclair and scored his second goal of the game.

Combs finished his natural hat trick almost five minutes later on another power play.

Sinclair finished with 36 saves.

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Preview: UAH at Bemidji State

Where: Sanford Center, Bemidji, Minn.
When: Friday, 7:07 p.m.; Saturday, 7:07 p.m.
Watch: FloHockey.tv (subscription required)

Charger update: UAH (1-13-0 overall, 1-7-0 WCHA) hits the road for the rest of 2018, starting with a two-game WCHA series at rival Bemidji State. This will be the 87th and 88th meetings between the two schools.

UAH was swept at home by 12th-ranked Bowling Green last week. The Chargers lost 6-2 on Saturday, as the Falcons pulled away with two early third-period power play goals. But the numbers in that game were closer than in Sunday’s 2-1 loss, in which UAH’s lone goal was given to them when the Falcons hit the puck into their own net on a delayed penalty.

Freshman Jack Jeffers got credit for the goal, giving him a team-leading four on the season for the freshman. He has five points along with senior Madison Dunn and sophomore Christian Rajic.

Despite the loss on Saturday, goaltender Mark Sinclair still sports a .919 save percentage, good for fifth in the WCHA, to go with a 2.81 goals against average. Jake Theut was good on Sunday, stopping 35 of 37 Bowling Green shots to raise his save percentage to .910.

The Charger penalty kill now sits at 11th in Division I at 85.9 percent.

After this week’s trip to Bemidji, UAH heads to Michigan Tech (Dec. 14-15) and the Catamount Cup in Vermont (Dec. 28-29). The Chargers’ next home series is Jan. 4-5 against Ferris State.

UAH 2018-19 statistics

About the Beavers: Bemidji State (6-6-2 overall, 4-3-1 WCHA) is 1-4-1 in its last six after a 5-1-1 start. The Beavers currently sit sixth in the WCHA standings with 13 points.

Last week, the Beavers went on the road to Michigan Tech and tied a back-and-forth game 3-3, losing the extra point in the 3-on-3 second overtime. BSU lost handily in the second game, 7-2.

Goaltending in Bemidji still appears to be strong after the departure of Michael Bitzer. Henry Johnson has a .921 save percentage and 1.99 goals against average (both third in the WCHA) with a shutout in seven starts. Fellow sophomore Zach Driscoll has a .909 save percentage and 2.33 goals against (fifth in the WCHA) also in seven starts.

The Beavers are scoring 2.36 goals per game, and the goals have been well distributed. Sophomore Aaron Miller and junior Adam Brady each have five goals, with sophomore Charlie Combs and freshmen Owen Sillinger and Nick Cardelli each netting four.

Bemidji State 2018-19 statistics

Series notes:
Overall:
Bemidji State leads 50-31-5.
In Bemidji: Bemidji State leads 28-9-2.
Last 10 meetings: Bemidji State leads 7-2-1.
Last season: Dec. 29-30, 2017 at Bemidji; BSU won 3-1 and 4-1. Jan. 26-27, 2018 at Huntsville; UAH won 5-1, BSU won 5-1.

This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. All WCHA home games can be seen on FloHockey.tv.

Friday, December 7
UAH at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
#12 Bowling Green at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
#20 Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at #3 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, December 8
UAH at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
#12 Bowling Green at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
Northern Michigan at #20 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at #3 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

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Own goal is lone goal for UAH in loss to BG

If it weren’t for a sliver of good luck, the Chargers would have no luck at all.

The 12th-ranked Falcons of Bowling Green defeated UAH 2-1 at the Von Braun Center on Sunday to complete a series sweep.

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The Chargers’ lone goal was an own goal, and technically one of only 14 shots on net for UAH (1-13-0 overall, 1-7-0 WCHA). Meanwhile, Bowling Green (10-3-2, 5-2-1) fired 37 on goal.

UAH goaltender Jake Theut had a solid outing with 35 saves to keep the game close. Meanwhile, Bowling Green goalie Eric Dop stopped all 13 shots he faced, though the empty net goal prevents him from officially recording a shutout.

The Falcons opened scoring again with nifty passing on a 3-on-1 break. Casey Linkenheld buried the one-timer with 8:55 left in the first period.

Some not-so-nifty passing by the Falcons resulted in a tie game with 6:20 remaining in the frame. With the Bowling Green net empty for an extra attacker because of a delayed penalty against the Chargers, the puck deflected off a Falcon defenseman near the UAH blue line and traveled all the way down the ice into the BG goal.

It was the second time in almost three years that UAH was the benefactor of an own goal during a delayed penalty. The other time was Feb. 12, 2016 at the VBC, where a similar play cost Minnesota State in a 3-3 tie.

The goal was credited to Jack Jeffers, his fourth of the season. The Chargers killed the ensuing hooking penalty on Drew Lennon.

There was no scoring in the second period. The Falcons ratcheted up the pressure, however, outshooting the Chargers 14-6.

Bowling Green regained the lead at 2-1 just 48 seconds into the third period on Lukas Craggs’s backhander.

From there, the Falcons continued to dominate possession and prevent the Chargers many chances at a real goal to tie it up. Bowling Green outshot UAH 14-4 in the third for the 37-14 total.

UAH travels to Bemidji State next weekend, not returning to the VBC until Jan. 4-5 against Ferris State.

Photo Gallery: UAH vs. Bowling Green, Dec. 1, 2018

Photos by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography

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Third-period burst powers Falcons to win over Chargers

For a good chunk of the game, the Chargers played better than a 1-11 team against the 12th-ranked team in the country, but two power play goals early in the third period lifted Bowling Green to a 6-2 win over UAH at the Von Braun Center on Saturday.

UAH (1-12-0 overall, 1-6-0 WCHA) hung with the Falcons (9-3-2, 4-2-1) in shots on goal (30-28 BGSU) and shot attempts (53-48 BGSU), but Bowling Green was able to get the better of the Charger penalty kill, which came into the game rated sixth in Division I. The Falcons were 2-for-4 with the advantage.

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It wasn’t a typical good night, either, for UAH goaltender Mark Sinclair, who made 23 saves and allowed six goals. Falcon netminder Ryan Bednard made 26 saves in the win.

The Falcons scored first on a sloppy line change by UAH, which resulted on a two-on-none break. Sam Craggs had the finisher at the 6:40 mark of the first period.

The Chargers tied the game on the power play. Jack Jeffers’ pass from the right side across the slot found an open Christian Rajic, who buried it for a 1-1 game with 2:41 left in the first. It was Rajic’s first goal of the season, assisted by Jeffers and Cam Knight.

Bowling Green regained the lead at 2-1 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the second, when Adam Smith’s shot from the point made it past Sinclair through a screen. It was 3-1 Falcons with 7:40 left in the period when Lukas Craggs scored on a wraparound.

UAH didn’t break then, and cut the deficit to 3-2 on Ben Allen’s first collegiate goal. The Texas native scored from the slot after taking a centering pass from Rajic with 6:16 left in the second.

Bowling Green pulled away with two power play goals early in the third period. After Bailey Newton was called for holding, Max Johnson capitalized to make it 4-2 at the 3:46 mark. Then Cameron Wright put in a rebound off the pipe at 6:13 following a Connor James high-sticking penalty.

Lukas Craggs added a goal with 3;13 remaining for the final 6-2 count.

The series finale is Sunday at 3:07 p.m. at the VBC.

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Preview: #12 Bowling Green at UAH

Where: Propst Arena at Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala.
When: Saturday, 6:07 p.m.; Sunday, 3:07 p.m.
Watch: FloHockey.tv (subscription required)
Promotions: Kids 12 and under can get free general admission tickets, courtesy Huntsville International Airport, at the VBC box office on game days. UAH will be giving away the fourth installment of the 2018-19 trading card set to the first 500 fans on Saturday evening.

Ticket information

Charger update: UAH (1-11-0 overall, 1-5-0 WCHA) returns to the Von Braun Center after a trip to Alaska sandwiched by two off weeks.

The Chargers finally got their first victory of the season in Alaska, beating the Nanooks 3-1 on Nov. 16. Alaska won the next night 2-1 to split the series.

“We’ve had a few moments where we’ve had to come together,” UAH head coach Mike Corbett said. “We’ve had some moments where we have to grab some guys and say some things to them, and they say some things to the staff. It’s small successes we’re looking at right now.”

The Chargers will need to rely on their defense to contain the 12th-ranked Falcons, because the offense has remained mostly dormant, scoring 13 goals in 12 games. Freshman Jack Jeffers leads the squad with three goals, and senior Madison Dunn has the most points with five.

“Our team defense has been good, and our penalty kill has been fantastic, and Mark Sinclair has a .93 save percentage. For a guy who’s 1-7, his numbers are fantastic. We can’t waste that right now.”

Sinclair had 44 saves in the victory over Alaska, which earned him WCHA goaltender of the week honors.

UAH’s penalty kill is ranked sixth in Division I, and is second only to Bowling Green in the WCHA at 87.9 percent. The team defense has improved in conference play at 2.50 goals allowed per game, tied for sixth through six games.

“I like our group, but we’ve got to get them to play together. We believe in them more than they believe in themselves, unfortunately. We have to get them to believe in themselves, and if they do that, we’re going to have a good second half.”

UAH 2018-19 statistics

About the Falcons: Bowling Green (8-3-2 overall, 3-2-1 WCHA) has cooled off after a blistering start.

The Falcons were scoring almost five goals a game through their first eight games, going 6-1-1. In their last five games, they have scored only eight goals, being shut out three times.

Still, Bowling Green is second in the WCHA in scoring offense at 3.62 goals per game.

“Details against Bowling Green are going to be big,” Corbett said. “They have a good offensive team, and our details are going to be important.

“They’re going to be heavy, they’re going to be strong, and we have to be able match that. That intensity is going to be key and our compete level has to be at its best.”

Sophomores Max Johnson and Connor Ford, and junior Lukas Craggs lead the Falcons with six goals apiece. Vegas Golden Knights prospect Brandon Kruse has 12 assists as part of his team-leading 15 points. All-WCHA first teamer Alec Rauhauser leads the defensemen with 10 points.

BG’s defense has also been stout, allowing only 1.69 goals per game. A big reason is junior goaltender Ryan Bednard, a Florida Panthers prospect, who has a 1.72 goals against average and a .925 save percentage with two shutouts in 11 starts.

Bowling Green is also coming off an off week. The Falcons last played on Nov. 21, a 5-4 exhibition win against the Team USA Under-18 team. Their last official action was Nov. 16-17 at home against Lake Superior State, losing 5-0 and winning 5-2.

Bowling Green 2018-19 statistics

Series notes:
Overall:
Bowling Green leads 23-5-2.
In Huntsville: Bowling Green leads 10-4-0.
In WCHA games (since 2013-14):  Bowling Green leads 16-3-1.
First meeting: Jan. 21-22, 2000 at Bowling Green. BGSU won 4-3 and 5-1.
Last meeting: Feb. 23-24, 2018 at Huntsville. UAH won 3-2, BGSU won 3-0.

This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. All WCHA home games can be seen on FloHockey.tv.
* Denotes conference game.

Friday, November 30
* #4 Minnesota State at #20 Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, December 1
* #12 Bowling Green at UAH, 6:07 p.m.
* #4 Minnesota State at #20 Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

Sunday, December 2
* #12 Bowling Green at UAH, 3:07 p.m.

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Hoof Beats: Kestner off to solid start in ECHL

Josh Kestner, who led UAH with a modern Division I-era school-record-tying 24 goals last season, is playing well in his first full pro season with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL.

The season started a little late for Kestner, who was on injured reserve, but he scored two breakaway goals in his second game back in a 3-2 loss to Brampton on Oct. 27. The Huntsville native scored seven goals in his first eight games with the Growlers. Kestner has seven assists to give him 14 points in 15 games.

Kestner signed a tryout contract with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies after his career at UAH ended in March. He was assigned to Newfoundland during the preseason.

Other former Chargers in the ECHL: Matt Salhany scored twice for Adirondack on Oct. 17 against Newfoundland, but spending time on injured reserve has limited his action to five games this season. He recently returned to the lineup and has already produced a goal and an assist.

Tyler Poulsen started the season on the reserve list for Rapid City. He has an assist in nine games since his return.

Also in the North American minor leagues, Cody Dion (2010-11) has three goals and five assists in 10 games for Roanoke of the SPHL.

in the big leagues, the 2018-19 season has been a struggle for Cam Talbot, who is in his coldest spell of his NHL career. The Oilers netminder has a .873 save percentage in his last six starts, all losses, allowing 23 goals. Edmonton has been playing Mikko Koskinen in goal more over Talbot, who has a 3.29 goals against average and .889 save percentage in 15 starts.

Danchenko signs NLI: The Chargers got their first player in the new signing period on Tuesday when Adrian Danchenko signed his National Letter of Intent.

Danchenko, who announced his commitment to UAH on August 25, is a forward with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights of the NAHL. has 13 points (8 goals, 5 assists) in 18 games this season. The Palm City, Fla., native had 12 goals in 55 regular-season games with the Knights season.

The signing period for all Division I and II sports except football and basketball started on November 14, and will go all the way to August 1, 2019.

Sinclair named WCHA goaltender of the week: UAH goaltender Mark Sinclair was named the WCHA Goaltender of the Week on Nov. 19 for his performance in the Chargers’ 3-1 win at Alaska on Nov. 16. Sinclair stopped 44 of 45 shots, the most saves in Division I that week. It was the first collegiate victory for Sinclair.

Club team update: The UAH club hockey team’s first season back since 1985 is in full swing.

The Chargers (2-5-0) began their first season in October with a two-game series against UAB at the Huntsville IcePlex. The Chargers lost 9-3 in the first game, then the Blazers rallied late to win 6-5 in the second game.

UAH played three games at the Scholar Shootout at Vanderbilt from Nov. 9-11, losing 8-1 to Michigan, winning 3-1 to Clemson, and falling 3-2 to Vanderbilt. In the Chargers’ first victory, Alex Reichle stopped 62 of 63 Clemson shots. The Chargers split a two-game series at Middle Tennessee State on Nov. 16-17, winning 5-2 and losing 6-3.

Alexander McLeod has nine goals in UAH’s last five games.

UAH’s next action is Jan. 11-12 at Auburn. The Chargers host Middle Tennessee State at the IcePlex on Feb. 15-16. The Chargers will play more home games starting next season when they join the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SECHC).

For more information on the UAH Chargers club hockey team, visit uahclubhockey.com.