Category Archives: 2018-19

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Hoof Beats: Beaulieu named WCHA forward of the week

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After lifting the Chargers to a Saturday win and scoring four points on the weekend, Austin Beaulieu was named the WCHA Forward of the Week on Monday.

Beaulieu had a hand in all three goals that rallied UAH from being two goals down late in the third to victory in overtime on Saturday.

Beaulieu’s tally with 3:25 remaining in regulation cut FSU’s lead to 3-2. Beaulieu made a critical interception to keep the Chargers onside, and then assisted Brandon Salerno’s game-tying goal with 11 seconds to go. Beaulieu then tipped Cam Knight’s shot to score in overtime for the 4-3 UAH win.

Beaulieu also scored a goal in UAH’s 6-5 overtime loss on Friday.

The junior from Coral Springs, Fla. has four goals and six points on the season.

New commitments: Last Monday, we looked at how UAH’s recruits have been faring in juniors during the first half of the season. Since then, the Chargers got three more commitments.

On Dec. 31, forward William Zapernick announced his commitment to join UAH in 2020. The Edmonton native is currently with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL, with 19 goals and 34 points in 36 games this season.

On Wednesday, forward Liam Izyk of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) declared his commitment to UAH. The 20-year-old forward from Strathmore, Alberta is in his third season with the Oil Barons, has five goals and 18 assists for 23 points in 31 games this year. Izyk is expected to arrive in 2019.

On Friday, defenseman Max Coyle of Tillsonsburg, Ontario announced his commitment. In 40 games this season with the Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL), Coyle has 11 points on two goals and nine assists. He is also expected to join UAH next season.

Check out our commitments page for a running list of future Charger recruits.

New announcer coming: UAH hockey will have a new play-by-play voice for the Chargers’ final six home games on FloHockey.tv.

Peyton Turnage will take over calling duties beginning with UAH’s next home game, Jan. 18 against Alaska Anchorage.

Turnage, a member of the Penalty Box Radio crew, has spent the last five years broadcasting junior hockey (Nashville Jr. Predators) and club-level college hockey, primarily Vanderbilt and the SECHC. He resides in Louisville, Ky.

Turnage takes over for Zachary Bryan, another Penalty Box Radio alum who called UAH home games online for the last three years. His final game was Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win. Bryan will be taking a new broadcasting job in Oklahoma.

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UAH rallies to nip Ferris State in OT

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The Chargers needed this in so many ways.

UAH scored twice in the final 3:25 of regulation, then Austin Beaulieu’s tip found the back of the net 3:13 into overtime, lifting the Chargers to a 4-3 win over Ferris State at the VBC on Saturday.

The Chargers (4-18-0 overall, 4-10-0 WCHA) regained eighth place in the WCHA standings over the Bulldogs, who took game one by a 6-5 score on Friday, also in overtime.

BOX SCORE

UAH finally got a victory at Propst Arena this year, the first in 10 games. And, the Chargers ended on the good side of a one-goal affair, improving to just 2-9 in a tough season of several close calls.

The first period was up-and-down, with Ferris State (6-15-1, 3-10-1) again getting the first goal of the game.

Nate Kallen took a centering pass in the slot from Cooper Zech, and directed the puck past UAH goaltender Jake Theut with 2:43 remaining in the period.

UAH answered right back on the power play following a Jason Tackett roughing penalty. Kurt Gosselin fired a one-timer from the right point to tie the game at 1-1 with 1:37 to go.

It was the first goal of the season for Gosselin, who returned to action Friday after missing over two months with a broken hand. Bauer Neudecker fed Gosselin for his second assist of the year, and Cam Knight got his fourth assist.

Ferris State took a 2-1 lead at 5:02 of the second when Trevor Recktenwald tucked the puck under Theut from the right doorstep.

FSU had its first multi-goal lead of the weekend after starting a 4-on-1 break from its own end. Cooper Zech finished the job for a 3-1 Bulldog lead with 8:43 left in the second.

FSU also won the possession battle in the second period, outshooting the Chargers 14-6.

The Bulldogs kept the Chargers at bay for a chunk of the third period, keeping Theut busy making 13 of his 33 total saves on the night. But they could not do it for all of the third period.

With 3:25 remaining in regulation, Beaulieu scored from the slot after taking a centering pass from Hans Gorowsky to cut the deficit to 3-2.

That gave the Chargers a boost, and they used that energy to put more pressure on FSU goalie Roni Salmenkangas (30 saves).

It eventually paid off. With just 11 seconds to go, Brandon Salerno tied the game from about the same spot, this time Beaulieu providing the feed after Connor James barely tipped the puck from a Ferris State player at the blue line and preventing the puck from leaving the offensive zone.

In overtime, FSU’s Cameron Clarke was called for a hook as Madison Dunn put a shot on net. It was just the third penalty called all game, but it gave the Charges a power play at the most opportune time.

UAH capitalized 25 seconds into the man advantage, as Beaulieu’s stick deflected Cam Knight’s shot from the left point. Beaulieu’s second goal of the game and fourth of the year sent the announced crowd of 1,308 home happy.

The Chargers travel to Lake Superior State next week. They return home in two weeks, hosting Alaska Anchorage.

Three Stars: 
1. Austin Beaulieu, UAH (2 goals, 1 assist, GWG in OT)
2. Brandon Salerno, UAH (game-tying goal with :11 left in regulation)
3. Bauer Neudecker, UAH (2 assists)

Notes: Gosselin now has 17 career goals, tying him with Mike Salekin (2004-07) for fourth place among UAH defensemen in the Division I era. … Charger forward Andrew Dodson had to leave the game after his hand was hit by a puck. The sophomore missed a chunk of last season with an injury. … UAH scored a total of nine goals in the series, the most since scoring 10 at Lake Superior State in Oct. 2015. The nine goals also accounts for 28 percent of the Chargers’ scoring this season.

File photo of Austin Beaulieu by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography

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Chargers find scoring, but fall 6-5 in OT

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The 2018-19 season continues to find new ways to bite the Chargers.

Dominic Lutz scored 56 seconds into overtime to lift Ferris State to a 6-5 victory over UAH at the Von Braun Center on Friday.

The five goals were a season high for UAH (3-18-0 overall, 3-10-0 WCHA), who fell to 1-9-0 in one-goal games this season, though most of them of the 2-1 variety.

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

Ferris State (6-14-1, 3-9-1) moved ahead of the Chargers for eighth place in the WCHA standings. UAH will try to return the favor Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Propst Arena.

The Bulldogs fired the first six shots on goal in an early game flurry before the Chargers finally cooled things down.

But Ferris State would strike first on a 3-on-1 break following a turnover, as Jacob Hetz beat Mark Sinclair from the left side with 5:15 left in the first period.

Sinclair couldn’t do much to stop that one, but was up to the task on 14 other FSU shots in the period. UAH was able to step it up thanks to a power play, but still ended up empty by intermission.

It was an off night for Sinclair overall, however, as the sophomore allowed a season-high-tying six goals to making 29 saves.

Things really opened up in the second period, with each team scoring three times.

UAH tied the game up at 1-1 at 4:43. Hans Gorowsky stole the puck in the offensive zone and drove through the slot toward FSU goaltender Roni Salmenkangas’s right. Just before reaching the goal line, Gorowsky deflected the puck off Salmenkangas’s skate and in for his second goal of the season.

Nate Kallen regained the lead for Ferris State with a five-hole goal at the 7:42 mark.

The Chargers equalized again at 2-2 at 10:38. On a 3-on-1 break, John Teets’s shot was stopped by Salmenkangas, but the rebound was knocked in mid-air by Bauer Neudecker. It’s the fourth goal of the season for the freshman.

FSU took the lead for the third time just 16 seconds later when Coale Norris beat Sinclair on a breakaway.

UAH then tied the game for the third time with 5:28 left in the second period. During a delayed penalty, Adam Wilcox tipped Kurt Gosselin’s shot through traffic for a 3-3 game.

It was Wilcox’s first goal of the season. Gosselin, playing in his first game since Oct. 27 after being out with a broken hand, got his third assist, and Jesper Ohrvall got his seventh helper.

The Bulldogs had the lead yet a fourth time when Lutz scored from the high slot with 59 seconds left in the period.

UAH tied it up for yet a fourth time at 5:39 of the third period. Brandon Salerno breaks away and tucks the puck around a sprawling Salmenkangas for his third goal of the season. Ohrvall and Andrew Dodson with the assists.

This time, the Chargers would not give the lead back. Thirty-six seconds later, UAH took its first lead at 5-4 when Austin Beaulieu finished a tic-tac-toe goal with Christian Rajic and Gorowsky.

Ferris State answered with 8:52 left in regulation, when Jake Transit scored from the right circle without an assist to tie the game at 5-5.

Salerno thought he had won the game for the Chargers with about 49 seconds left in regulation. The goal light had gone on but the officials quickly waved it off, allowing play to continue to the end of the third period. Video review confirmed the call.

Lutz then scored his second goal of the game in overtime to take the win for the Bulldogs.

Ferris State outshot UAH 35-30 for the game. Salmenkangas finished with 25 saves.

Three Stars:
1. Dominic Lutz, FSU (2 goals, 1 assist, GWG in OT)
2. Hans Gorowsky, UAH (1 goal, 1 assist)
3. Jesper Ohrvall, UAH (2 assists)

Photo: Brandon Salerno scores his second period goal. Photo by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography

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Preview: Ferris State at UAH

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Where: Propst Arena at Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala.
When: Friday, 7:07 p.m.; Saturday, 7:07 p.m.
Watch: Ticket information | 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. On Friday, the first 500 fans receive the fifth set of UAH hockey trading cards. On Saturday, the first 500 fans receive a UAH foam puck.

Charger update: UAH (3-17-0 overall, 3-9-0 WCHA) begins 2019 back in Propst Arena against one of the teams the Chargers must beat if they want to reach the WCHA playoffs. UAH has a two-point lead over Ferris State for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Last week, the Chargers finished non-conference play at the Catamount Cup. UAH lost to host Vermont 4-1 and 11th-ranked Northeastern 2-0.

Offense remained a struggle for the Chargers, who only got a goal from Bauer Neudecker and 28 shots on goal for the weekend.

The goaltending remained solid, with Mark Sinclair getting 29 saves against Vermont and Jake Theut stopping 41 shots against his former Northeastern teammates.Sinclair’s .925 overall save percentage this season is second among WCHA goalies (16th nationally). Theut is fifth in the league at .917.

UAH’s penalty kill is back up to eighth-best in Division I at 86.2 percent.

UAH 2018-19 statistics

About the Bulldogs: Ferris State (5-14-1 overall, 2-9-1 WCHA) defeated Minnesota last Saturday, snapping an 11-game winless streak (0-10-1).

This could be an opportunity for the Charger offense to get in gear. Defense has been problematic for the Bulldogs, who are last in the WCHA allowing 3.75 goals per game. During the winless streak, FSU allowed fewer than four goals only once (the tie against Bowling Green).

The two leading scorers for the Bulldogs are defensemen: Freshman Cooper Zech (4-13-17) and junior Nate Kallen (3-14-17), both tops in the WCHA among blueliners and in the top 10 overall. Zech was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week for getting two points at Minnesota last week.

Senior forward Corey Mackin has seven goals and junior Jason Tackett has six.

Between the pipes, freshman Roni Salmenkangas (3.69 goals against average and, .880 save percentage in 18 starts) has been seeing a lot of action with junior star Justin Kapelmaster out with an injury. All-WCHA defenseman Ryker Killins has also missed almost two months of action.

Ferris State 2018-19 statistics

Series notes:
Overall: Ferris State leads 15-7-1, dating back to 1985.
In Huntsville: Ferris State leads 7-3-0.
Last 10 games: Ferris State leads 5-4-1.
Last meeting: Nov. 24-25, 2017 at Huntsville: FSU won 6-2, UAH won 5-3.

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

Thursday, January 3
Bemidji State at #12 Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m.

Friday, January 4
Ferris State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at #12 Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m.
Michigan Tech at #3 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Northern Michigan at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, January 5
Ferris State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
Michigan Tech at #3 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Northern Michigan at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

Future Chargers making strides in season’s first half

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It’s been a while since we checked in on our recruits, so at the halfway point of the junior hockey season, here’s where they’re at:

Adrian Danchenko

Adrian Danchenko

Adrian Danchenko, forward, 6’2, 195, 1999, Palm City, Fla., Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (NAHL) – A sure-fire bet for the 2019-2020 incoming class having signed his NLI, Danchenko got off to a scorching start for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after barely missing the cut in Dubuque (USHL) with three goals, six assists, and nine points in his first six games. He’s cooled somewhat since, but has still put up a solid 26/7/10/17 slash line to date. Scouts laud the Floridian for his great size, good speed, balance, and nose for the net. His stature will certainly be a welcome addition to a UAH squad that’s often quite a bit smaller than the opposition. With legitimate potential still left to be unlocked, the junior hockey vet could develop into a true power forward at the Division I level.

Peyton Francis

Peyton Francis

Peyton Francis, forward, 5’11, 160, 1999, Oakville, Ont., Carleton Place (CCHL) – The long-time Charger commit is having another solid season with Carleton Place in the CCHL. A quick, speedy center with good offensive instincts, Francis continues to put pucks in the back of the net even as the quality of play in the CCHL continues to rise. Plotting 14 goals, nine assists, and 23 points in 35 games, he’ll look to build on his solid first half and help his team maintain its first-place divisional standing. Francis frequently wins races to pucks and beats defenders wide on the rush, so the goals and points should continue to come. I expect him to play at a point-per-game pace down the stretch.

Aidan Flynn, forward, 5’11, 150, 2002, Sping Hill, Tenn., TPH Thunder (U16 AAA) – The youngest Charger commit is a versatile, two-way forward who’s continuing to impress and grow as a hockey player. Scouts love his makeup, hockey sense, and elite acceleration. Neutral Zone had this to say about him recently: “He is very sound in all facets of the game. Always in position, always making the right decision, providing support, chipping in offense, killing penalties. He is a ‘glue’ kind of player and can do it all. Really like his skill level as well as his intelligence and overall demeanor.” With these kinds of rave reviews, he’ll be one to follow in the coming years as he charts his path to Huntsville through junior hockey.

Ryland Mosley

Ryland Mosley

Ryland Mosley, forward, 5’10, 185, 2000, Arnprior, Ont., Carleton Place (CCHL) – A teammate of fellow commits Peyton Francis and Ayo Adeniye, Ryland Mosley’s game remains on an upward trajectory. After scoring over 100 points in 70-plus games in the CCHL2 last year, Mosley had a relatively slow start to the season, but has since been on an absolute tear with 26 points in his last 22 games. He’s cemented himself on Carleton Place’s top line and recently played for Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge in Alberta. If he keeps this up, it’s possible that the skilled, playmaking winger will be called on to come to UAH a year early. Regardless, it’s clear that Mosley has the mind and skating ability to one day be a top-six forward in college.

Joey Baez

Joey Baez

Joey Baez, forward, 5’8, 165, 2000, Tampa, Fla., Lone Star (NAHL) – After starting the season with Johnstown, Baez was traded to Lone Star where he’ll be counted on to contribute offensively for a relatively young NAHL squad. He’s always had above-average speed and puck skills, so I think we’ll begin to see him compile points at a much higher rate than his current 16/4/3/7 totals would suggest. Baez is sure to get more consistent playing time and experience with Lone Star, which bodes well for his anticipated arrival on campus.

Ayo Adeniye, defenseman, 6’4, 190, 1999, Columbus, Ohio, Carleton Place (CCHL) – The sole defenseman currently committed to UAH is really coming into his own in his first year of junior hockey. Maintaining the strong Carleton Place-UAH pipeline, Adeniye is a hulking blueliner with tremendous upside. He’s extremely athletic, moves well for his size, and competes hard. After acclimating to the speed of the junior game, he’s really taken off with eight points in his last 13 games, bringing his year-to-date stats to 37/3/10/13. Most importantly, though, he leads the league in plus/minus for defensemen at a staggering +23, so Adeniye is clearly taking care of his own end and making things happen. With time and top-level coaching, he’s only going to continue to get better. This kid has pro potential on down the line.

David Fessenden

David Fessenden

David Fessenden, goaltender, 6’6, 240, 1998, Parker, Colo., Northeast (NAHL) – A massive tender from Colorado, Fessenden has been plying his trade for the Northeast Generals in the NAHL for the past 3 seasons. The Generals have been one of the weaker teams in the league during that timespan, so Fessenden typically sees a ton of pucks each game. As a result, his present .902 save percentage and 3.45 goals-against average don’t really tell the whole story. Often having to make a number big saves on a nightly basis to keep his squad in it, Fessenden has developed an aggressive style in net. Using his imposing frame, he’s regularly at the top of his crease for shots, which helps him sustain solid rebound control. He’ll have to hone his aggression at the next level, but given his size, strong character, and positioning, he could very well be playing pro hockey at some point in the future.

Outside of Fessenden and Danchenko, it’s difficult to say who will all be a part of the incoming 2019-2020 freshman class. With everyone else having at least one more year of junior eligibility, it’ll depend on how each player develops and the number of new commitments the coaching staff is able to reel in. Losing at least three defensemen and four forwards to graduation suggest that we’ll see several guys commit before long. Stay tuned.

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Theut kept busy by former team in loss to Northeastern

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Jake Theut did all he could to keep his former team at bay, but the Chargers didn’t have anything else for 11th-ranked Northeastern.

Theut, a graduate transfer from Northeastern, made 41 saves in UAH’s 2-0 loss to the Huskies on Saturday in the second game of the Catamount Cup in Burlington, Vt. It was the fourth time in eight starts this season Theut has made 40 or more saves.

BOX SCORE

The Chargers (3-17-0) couldn’t do much to support Theut, getting shut out for the fifth time this season. Northeastern (12-3-1) outshot UAH by a 43-13 margin in winning its eighth straight game.

Northeastern couldn’t score on an early power play, but took advantage of a tired Charger team pinned in their own end not long after. Matt Filipe found the net from an odd angle in the right circle at the 6:19 mark for a 1-0 Husky lead.

The Huskies would get 10 shots on goal before the Chargers got their first, a Dayne Finnson shot from just inside the blue line. UAH would manage just three shots on goal in the opening frame.

Theut would keep the Chargers in the game throughout the second period, when he stopped another 11 shots. UAH would get a little more offensive with six shots on goal in the period, but was still scoreless.

The pucks came coming toward the UAH net in the third period, and Northeastern finally scored its second goal with 9:23 remaining as Austin Plevy’s deflection right in front of Theut found the back of the net.

The Chargers have finished the non-conference schedule and will host Ferris State for WCHA play at the Von Braun Center next Friday and Saturday.

File photo of Jake Theut by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography

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Chargers can’t overcome mistakes, Catamounts

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Critical turnovers cost the Chargers on Friday in their 4-1 loss to Vermont in the opening round of the Catamount Cup in Burlington, Vt.

UAH (3-16-0) will play Northeastern on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. The Huskies beat RPI 3-2 in overtime in the first game on Friday.

BOX SCORE

Vermont outshot the Chargers 33-15 in improving to 6-8-1.

There was no scoring in the first period, but Vermont did win the possession battle, outshooting the Chargers 10-3 with a couple of crossbars hit.

UAH also lost forward Christian Rajic, who was hit hard while taking a shot. He was immediately attended to by trainers on a stoppage of play and did not return.

Vermont took a 1-0 lead at the 3:41 mark in the second period on a bad UAH turnover near the Charger net. Joey Cipollone slipped the puck between Mark Sinclair’s legs in the ensuing scramble.

Another UAH turnover led to a 2-0 Vermont advantage with 2:09 left in the period. Ace Cowans buried a centering pass in the slot from Craig Puffer.

The Catamounts rolled to eight quick shots on goal early in the third period, and eventually took a 3-0 lead with 12:25 left. This time, Sinclair let in a rare soft goal, as Vlad Dzhioshvili’s shot hit his glove but trickled in anyway.

UAH got on the board with 8:31 to go when Bauer Neudecker scored on a wrister for his third goal of the season. Jack Jeffers and Andrew Dodson got the assists.

Vermont finished the game with an empty-net goal by Matt O’Donnell with 12.6 seconds to go.

Sinclair finished with 29 saves. His Catamount counterpart, Stefanos Lekkas, stopped 14 of 15 shots.

File photo of Bauer Neudecker by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography. 
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Preview: UAH at Catamount Cup

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Where: Gutterson Fieldhouse, Burlington, Vt.
When: Friday vs. Vermont, 6:05 p.m. CST; Saturday vs. Northeastern, 3 p.m. CST
Watch: Friday vs. Vermont | Saturday vs. Northeastern

Charger update: The first half of the 2018-19 season has been a struggle to say the least. UAH is 3-15-0 overall and 3-9-0 in WCHA play, losing the first 10 games before finally breaking through at Alaska on Nov. 16.

The results have gotten a little better heading into the break. UAH has won two of its last three, getting splits in road WCHA matchups at Bemidji State and Michigan Tech. The Chargers nearly had a sweep in its last action at Tech on Dec. 14-15, getting a 39-save, 1-0 shutout by Mark Sinclair before falling in overtime 2-1 in the second game.

Eight of UAH’s losses have been by one goal, meaning the Chargers have been in almost every game they have played thanks to stellar goaltending and defense. Sinclair is developing into an outstanding netminder in his sophomore season, posting a 2.60 goals against average and a .927 save percentage with a shutout. Senior graduate transfer Jake Theut has had his moments too with his .910 save percentage.

UAH is averaging 16.06 blocked shots per game, fourth highest in Division I. Cam Knight leads the Chargers with 42 blocks, averaging 2.33 per game, which ranks seventh in the nation.

Meanwhile, the offense could not keep up in the first half. Six of those eight one-goal losses were a 2-1 score, and the Chargers have only scored multiple goals four times in 18 games.

Freshman Jack Jeffers has shown some promise, currently leading UAH with five goals on the season. He, sophomore Christian Rajic, and senior graduate transfer Jesper Öhrvall each have six points.

Special teams have been a split, and very indicative of the Chargers’ defensive strength and offensive woes. The penalty kill has been in the top 15 in the country all year round, now at 85 percent efficiency, but the power play is only at 7.2 percent (59th of 60 teams in Division I).

The Chargers return home to resume WCHA play against Ferris State on Jan. 4-5. Puck drop at the VBC Propst Arena is 7:07 p.m. each night.

UAH 2018-19 statistics

The Catamount Cup: The 22nd edition of the University of Vermont’s holiday tournament features the host Catamounts, UAH, Northeastern, and Rensselaer. UAH plays Vermont and Northeastern plays RPI on Friday, then UAH plays Northeastern and Vermont plays RPI on Saturday.

UAH participated in the 2010 Catamount Cup, losing to Vermont 4-3 and defeating Mercyhurst 4-1 to take third place.

About the Catamounts: Vermont (5-8-1 overall, 1-6-1 Hockey East) will be in action for the first time in three weeks since splitting a non-conference road series at Colorado College. The Catamounts sit in last place in the 11-team Hockey East.

Like the Chargers, defense and goaltending has kept the Catamounts in a lot of games, but offense has been hard to come by, scoring just over two goals a game. Vermont’s power play is only slightly better than UAH’s at 8.7 percent (58th).

Stefanos Lekkas has started all 14 games between the pipes, posting a .936 save percentage, which leads Hockey East and is third nationally. Vermont’s penalty kill efficiency of 89.4 percent leads Hockey East and is fourth nationally.

UAH’s lone meeting with Vermont was in the 2010 Catamount Cup, with the Catamounts winning 4-3 in the opener,

Vermont 2018-19 statistics

About the Huskies: Northeastern (10-3-1 overall, 6-1-1 Hockey East) comes into Burlington riding a six-game winning streak. NU’s last game was a 7-2 win at Merrimack on Dec. 8. The 11th-ranked Huskies are tied for third in the Hockey East standings.

The Huskies offense has been hot, scoring 16 goals in their last two contests. They are averaging 4.00 goals per game, which is third in Division I.

Junior Grant Jozefek leads NU with 10 goals and 16 points in 14 games. Zack Solow has nine goals, seven of which have come during an ongoing six-game point-scoring streak. Canucks prospect Tyler Madden has six goals and 15 points on the season, but he is currently playing with Team USA at the World Junior Championships.

Cayden Primeau has started all 14 games in goal, garnering a 2.40 goals against and .918 save percentage with two shutouts, but the Canadiens prospect is also with Team USA at the World Juniors. Senior Ryan Ruck, who has 78 starts at NU, would go for the Huskies.

Northeastern has won all four previous meetings with UAH, sweeping two series in Boston in 2012 and 2013.

Northeastern 2018-19 statistics

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

Friday, December 28
UAH at Vermont (Catamount Cup), 6:05 p.m.
#3 Minnesota State vs. #4 Minnesota Duluth (Desert Hockey Classic, Glendale, Ariz.), 5:30 p.m.
Ferris State at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 29
UAH vs. #11 Northeastern (Catamount Cup at Vermont), 3 p.m.
#3 Minnesota State vs. #19 Clarkson/#15 Arizona State (Desert Hockey Classic, Glendale, Ariz.), 5:30/8:30 p.m.
Ferris State at Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at Omaha, 7:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at Air Force, 8:05 p.m.

Sunday, December 30
Michigan Tech vs. Michigan (Great Lakes Invitational, Detroit), noon
Lake Superior State vs. Michigan State (Great Lakes Invitational, Detroit), 3 p.m.
Bemidji State at Air Force, 6:05 p.m.
Windsor at Bowling Green (exhibition), 11 a.m.

Huskies break through to edge UAH in overtime

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UAH couldn’t hold off the Huskies forever.

Michigan Tech, whose potent offense was shut out Friday, scored early in the third period and early in overtime to defeat the Chargers 2-1 on Saturday in Houghton to force a series split.

BOX SCORE

Greyson Reitmeier scored the game-winner 1:11 into overtime for the Huskies (10-7-1 overall, 9-2-1 WCHA), who moved into first place in the WCHA standings ahead of Minnesota State. UAH fell to 3-15-0 overall and 3-8-0 in WCHA play.

The loss overshadowed another brilliant performance by UAH goaltender Mark Sinclair, who was busy again with another 35 saves. Along with the 39-save shutout Friday, Sinclair stopped 74 of 76 Michigan Tech shots.

The Chargers scored first again at the 9:39 mark, at approximately the same time they scored the only goal of the game on Friday.

Jack Jeffers got a steal near center ice, and sent it to Bauer Neudecker on the right for a 2-on-1 break. Neudecker centered the puck back to Jeffers in the slot, who softly deflected it over Robbie Beydoun for his fifth goal of the season.

After that the rest of the period was mostly in the UAH end. The Huskies fired 15 shots on Sinclair in the frame, but the sophomore had great glove work to limit rebounds and second chance opportunities.

There was no scoring in the second period this time, either. It was another frustrating period for Tech, who spent the bulk of the period in the UAH zone again. The best scoring chances came for UAH during and after their first power play, which didn’t come until 3:19 left in the second.

As an example of the puck luck the Chargers had been getting in this series, a Husky shot early in the second hit Sinclair and bounced over him. He put his glove behind his back and the puck went off his glove and wide. The puck then landed and sat just outside the crease before the Chargers finally cleared it.

However, Michigan Tech would finally break through on the power play early in the third period. Tommy Parrottino took a nifty feed from Colin Swoyer and beat Sinclair to snap their scoring drought and tie the game at 1-1 at the 3:15 mark.

UAH actually was able to get some consistent puck possession in the third period, although it did not lead to any more goals. And in the end, the Charger offense could not do much being outshot 37-15 for the game and 76-32 for the series.

The Chargers had one last big chance with a power play with 2:55 left in regulation when Swoyer committed an interference penalty, but Beydoun, who finished with 14 saves, also would not allow second chances.

In overtime, Reitmeier tipped in the winning goal on an Alec Broetzman shot.

The Chargers’ next action is at the Catamount Cup in Burlington, Vt., where they will take on host Vermont on Dec. 28 and Northeaster on Dec. 29 to finish non-conference play. The next WCHA series is Jan. 4-5 against Ferris State at the Von Braun Center.