post

UAH heads to Anchorage for rematch

UAH (1-18-3, 1-12-3-1 WCHA) at Alaska Anchorage (3-14-3, 3-11-2-2 WCHA)
WHERE: Seawolf Sports Complex, Anchorage, Alaska
WHEN: Friday, 10:07 p.m.; Saturday, 8:07 p.m. (times CST)
WATCHFloHockey.tv (subscription)

Maybe a 4,000-mile-plus trip will get the Chargers on track.

UAH heads north to face Alaska Anchorage this weekend in a matchup of the bottom two teams in the WCHA. The Chargers, who need to get a run going to make the conference playoffs, sit in 10th place, six points behind the Seawolves.

The Chargers were swept at home last week by Bemidji State by scores of 3-1 and 4-3, extending their winless streak to nine games.

Josh Latta had two goals in the second game, giving him six on the season and the team lead in points with 15.

For the Seawolves, two freshmen lead in points (Nick Wicks, 12) and goals (Rylee St. Onge, five). Sophomore Tanner Schachle also has five goals.

Goaltender Kris Carlson has a .917 save percentage, which is fifth in the WCHA.

Back in November, the Seawolves took five of six points from the Chargers at the Von Braun Center. UAA took two points by taking the shootout following a 4-4 tie in game one before winning outright 3-1.

UAA has struggled since, losing 10 of its last 12 games. Last week, the Seawolves lost 4-1 and 6-3 at Northern Michigan.

This week in the WCHA: All times Central. Games can be streamed online via subscription to FloHockey.tv.

Friday, January 17
UAH at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Alaska at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
#3 Minnesota State at #15 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
#19 Michigan Tech at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
#17 Northern Michigan at #1 Cornell, 6 p.m.

Saturday, January 18
UAH at Alaska Anchorage, 8:07 p.m.
Alaska at Ferris State, 5:07 p.m.
#3 Minnesota State at #15 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
#19 Michigan Tech at Bemidji State, 6:07 p.m.
#17 Northern Michigan at #1 Cornell, 6 p.m.

post

Chargers fall to Bemidji on late power play goal

Bemidji State overcame the Chargers coming out of their power-play slump, rallying in the third period to defeat UAH 4-3 at the Von Braun Center on Friday to complete a series sweep.

The Chargers (1-18-3 overall, 1-12-3-1 WCHA) had a prime opportunity to get back into the win column thanks in part to three power-play goals, two by freshman Josh Latta.

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

Bemidji State’s Adam Brady scored the game-winner on a late power play, which came on a controversial boarding penalty called on UAH’s Bailey Newton with 5:24 left in the game.

UAH heads to Alaska Anchorage next weekend desperately needing points to get back into the WCHA playoff race. The Chargers are in 10th, six points behind UAA and seven behind Ferris State.

“It’s the same old song, and I hate saying it over and over and I want better for our players, but I liked our effort and I think we deserved something better,” UAH head coach Mike Corbett said.

Bemidji State (12-7-3, 12-3-1-0) struck first with 3:26 left in the first period. Sam Solensky, a freshman playing in just his fourth college game, scored on a one-timer in the slot following a centering pass from behind the net.

But UAH tied it up in the final seconds of the period after an Alex Ierullo cross-checking penalty for BSU. Latta poked the puck from underneath goaltender Zach Driscoll, who thought he was interferenced with, for his fifth goal of the season.

Austin Beaulieu and Dayne Finnson assisted on the goal, which ended a streak of 45 unsuccessful power plays. UAH had last scored with the advantage on November 9.

Bemidji State kept the Chargers in their own end for most of the second period, and really tested Mark Sinclair with bursts of shots on the junior.

The Beavers put 20 shots on goal in the frame, and Sinclair stopped all but one: a Charlie Combs deflection of a Tommy Muck centering pass with 39 seconds left to put Bemidji State up 2-1.

UAH had a critical chance about four mintues into the third period when Bemidji State’s Alex Adams elbowed Tyr Thompson high. Video review said contact to the head, ending Adams’s night.

The Chargers capitalized on the major power play with two goals to take the lead.

First, with 12:54 remaining, Austin Beaulieu put back Max Coyle’s shot to tie the game at 2-2. Dayne Finnson also assisted for his second of the game.

Second, about a minute later and two seconds left on the major power play, Latta notches his second goal of the night, putting in a centering pass from Bauer Neudecker on the right side to put the Chargers up 3-2.

“(Latta) is getting to the front of the net and scoring those goals,” Corbett said. “That’s what we need him to do, big goals in big times.”

“It’s all because of playing with (Rajic) and (Beaulieu),” Latta said. “I think we are all complementary of each other. The way we play, we each bring something a little bit unique. Raj is so good off the rush. Being able to pull up and create time and let plays develop. Beaulsy gets off the forecheck so well and he’s so good on the wall.

“We got three goals (on the power play), and being able to get two there (on the major power play) was a nice relief.”

With 9:43 remaining in regulation, the Beavers quickly tied it up as Nick Cardelli slipped the puck just inside the post on Sinclair’s right.

Then came Newton’s hit on Combs, which elicited a questionable boarding call. Combs looked to have hit the boards but not as a result of Newton’s hit.

The hit occurred against the wall and obstructed from the UAH bench. Corbett said he would have to take a look at it on video.

“It’s a tough play at the end,” Corbett. “You want big hits at that point in time of the game.”

UAH was shorthanded anyway, and it cost them.

Brady scored on a wicked shot from the left circle with 4:34 remaining to put BSU ahead 4-3.

The Chargers had one final press to tie the game, only able to pull Sinclair for the extra attacker with 17 seconds to go.

“(Christian) Rajic had the chance on the backdoor with the rebound, and they’re goalie came across and made the save,” Corbett said.

UAH finished with 32 shots on goal in the contest, tied for second most on the season.

“I thought we were better tonight than we were last night, especially just capitalizing on our chances,” Latta said. “I think we got over 30 shots tonight, which we haven’t done very often this season, which is encouraging.”

Sinclair finished with 36 saves as the Beavers finished with 40 shots on goal.

“(Sinclair) played well again,” Corbett said. “He’s another one of those guys you want better for, because he’s competing in the net and giving us a chance to win. We’ve got to pick him up one of these nights.”

“As good as Mark is, he’s good for us every night, sometimes they find a way to score because we give them too much time,” Latta said. “We’ve got to be better defensively and not have these five-minute lapses we tend to have.”

Bemidji State takes 3-1 win over UAH

Not the way the Chargers wanted to return home and start the second half of the WCHA schedule.

Back at the Von Braun Center for the first time in 40 days, UAH lost to Bemidji State 3-1 on Thursday.

The Chargers (1-17-3 overall, 1-11-3-1 WCHA) had their chances with the power play, getting seven opportunities, but could not find the net in any of them.

BOX SCORE

Bemidji State (11-7-3, 11-3-1-0), which sits second in the WCHA standings, got two power-play goals from freshman defenseman Elias Rosen.

UAH will try to snap its now eight-game winless streak in the series finale on Friday night at 7:37 p.m.

Rosen scored from the right side just nine seconds into Bemidji State’s first power play for a 1-0 Beavers lead at the 7:47 mark of the first period.

UAH tied the game at 1-1 at the 4:36 mark of the second, when Jack Jeffers picked up a loose puck around a BSU defenseman and then beat goaltender Zach Discoll five hole.

It was the fifth goal of the season for Jeffers, who was assisted by Connor Merkley.

“We want Jack in front of the net like that so he can finish in those areas.”

That was the only goal allowed by Driscoll, who stopped 23 of 24 Charger shots.

Bemidji State regained the lead at 2-1 early in the third period when Alex Adams finished off a cross-ice pass from Carter Jones at 5:49.

About six minutes later, Rosen found the net again on the power play to make it 3-1 BSU. The goal occurred with a two-man advantage following back-to-back penalties by Tanner Hickey and Peyton Francis. The Beavers finished 2-for-6 on their power-play opportunities.

“It was kind of a blah game,” UAH head coach Mike Corbett said. “We feel good about ourselves going into the third period. We made a bad change on the second goal, and then you get a 5-on-3 (against us). … We killed most of it, and then they get that one.

“We have to create some energy. We have to be able to make a play. We’ve got to make a play in a 1-1 game, and stay out of the penalty box.”

Meanwhile, UAH is 0-for-44 with the advantage dating back to its last power play goal on November 9.

UAH outshot BSU 24-23 despite a puck-possession advantage for the Beavers overall. The stats were pretty even between the two teams, including shot attempts (UAH 40-39) and faceoffs (BSU 30-28).

“What I’m proud of is that they’re playing hard, playing to win every single night. We got to get some leadership, we got to get that play at the right time to crack when it’s a 1-1 game. We’ve got to be able to take that next step as a team that way. And that’s hard in this league.

“At the Division I level, you have to have that second or third effort. They understand it, now they just got to be able to do it. We’ve had enough learning lessons and moral victories. We’ve got to get on the scoreboard sooner or later.”

post

UAH hosts Bemidji looking to start a run

Bemidji State (10-7-3, 10-3-1-0 WCHA) at UAH (1-16-3, 1-10-3-1 WCHA)
WHERE: Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala.
WHEN: Thursday, 7:37 p.m.; Friday, 7:37 p.m.
WATCHFloHockey.tv (subscription)
LISTEN: Penalty Box Radio
PROMOTION: Kids 12-under get free general admission at the VBC box office.
TICKETS

UAH probably put on its best effort last weekend. Now the Chargers must turn this effort into victories and make a run at the WCHA playoffs.

The Chargers lost 5-2 in both games at North Dakota, which showed why its ranked No. 1 in the country. UAH was within a goal in the third period in both games, and the Hawks put each game away with an empty-net goal.

This brings UAH some confidence going into this week’s series against Bemidji State at the VBC. The Chargers will want to show that they have improved since the series in Bemidji back in November, when the Beavers won 5-3 and 7-0.

Josh Latta had a three-point weekend against North Dakota and now leads the Chargers with 13 points. He has points in four of the last five games. Christian Rajic scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season on Friday.

Mark Sinclair started both games in net at UND, making 64 total saves.

Bemidji State sits in second place in the WCHA standings, five points behind first-place Minnesota State, after sweeping Ferris State at home last week. UAH is in last place, six points behind Alaska Anchorage and seven behind eighth-place Ferris State.

The Beavers have two 10-goal scorers in Aaron Miller and Adam Brady. Their hottest forward is Owen Sillinger, who had five points in the sweep of Ferris State and earned WCHA forward of the week honors.

Defenseman Elias Rosén had four assists last week against FSU to win the WCHA rookie of the week award, and is tied with Miller for the team lead in assists with 11.

These will be the 91st and 92nd meetings between the Chargers and the Beavers. BSU holds a 51-34-5 in the overall series dating back to 1994.

TEAM STATISTICS: UAH | Bemidji State

The Bemidji Pioneer: Beavers head south to warm up against rival Alabama Huntsville

This week in the WCHA: All times Central. Games can be streamed online via subscription to FloHockey.tv.

Thursday, January 9
Bemidji State at UAH, 7:37 p.m.

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

Saturday, January 11
Minnesota State at Ferris State, 5:07 p.m.
Bowling Green at Michigan Tech, 5:07 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at Northern Michigan, 5:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

post

Another game UAH effort, but No. 1 UND pulls away again

Photo by Kelsey Lee / Violet Turtle Photography. Post-game video by Seamore Sports.

Once again, the Chargers were close entering the third period against the No. 1 team in the country, but North Dakota showed why it’s No. 1 and eventually denied UAH the chance of an upset.

The Fighting Hawks won 5-2 for the second straight night in Grand Forks on Saturday.

Still, considering the struggles the Chargers have had this season, UAH head coach Mike Corbett found the experience beneficial for his club.

“It was a one-goal game pretty much for both nights,” Corbett said. “I think that’s against the legit No. 1 team in the country. It’s a confidence booster. It’s not the end result, but our process was pretty good.”

“We want to go after the top guys. It’s a great opportunity for our program. Read the box score it’s supposed to be read. We were in it and our guys played their butts off.”

UAH goaltender Mark Sinclair did all he could again, stopping 33 of 37 shots.

“Sinclair’s been good since Thanksgiving,” Corbett said. “He’s seeing about 75 shots this weekend, he’s hanging in there and giving us a chance to win.”

“It’s always tough coming in and playing the No. 1 team in the country,” Sinclair said. “Our guys competed right through. Our penalty kill was great, guys blocking shots, battling for pucks.”

The Chargers resume league action at home this Thursday and Friday against Bemidji State.

“I think it shows that we can compete with anyone,” Charger forward Josh Latta said. “North Dakota is like the pinnacle of most programs that you want to strive towards. Playing against Bemidji, we have to play the exact same way with the same intensity.”

North Dakota (16-1-2) opened the scoring when Sinclair could not pick up a Matt Kierstad blast up the middle that was tipped by Westin Michaud. The goal came at the 4:54 mark.

UND made it 2-0 with 10:52 left in the first period on a power play goal. Collin Adams beat Sinclair stick side from the right circle.

The Chargers cut the lead in half about four minutes later on a similar goal by Connor Merkley. His third goal of the season was over Adam Scheel (11 saves) after a nifty cross-ice pass from Jack Jeffers, who notched his fifth assist of the season. Peyton Francis got his second assist.

UAH tied the game early in the second period. Latta was robbed by Scheel from the slot, but Austin Beaulieu back-handed the rebound in for his second goal of the season.

Latta had his team-leading ninth assist of the season and third of the series.

“It was our whole line,” Latta said. “Christian Rajic and Austin Beaulieu are great guys to play with and go to open ice really well. They support the puck and put forth a lot of energy, so it makes my job easy.

“We capitalized on the chances we got for the most part. We could have had a few more.”

“We’ve got a freshman (in Latta) who’s starting to be able to put up some points for us,” Corbett said. “We’re not a scoring juggernaut by any means, so more guys chipping in for us, the better.”

UND regained the lead at 3-2 at the 3:51 mark of the second with a highlight-reel goal. A shot off Sinclair trickled to the right post, and Jordan Kawaguchi put it in from behind the goal line and his stick between his legs.

In the handshake line following the game, Sinclair, who played with Kawaguchi at Chilliwack of the BCHL, said to Kawaguchi, “You had to do that, hey?”

“I played with him in Chilliwack so I got to see it a lot in practice,” Sinclair said. “His work ethic is unbelieveable. He’s very tough to knock off the puck.”

Three minutes into the third period, the Hawks extended their lead to 4-2 when Ethan Frisch blasted one up the middle from inside the blue line.

Shane Pinto, just back with North Dakota after playing for Team USA in the World Junior Championships, put in an empty-net goal with 20 second remaining.

Perhaps indicative of the number of close losses the Chargers have had, it was the eighth empty-net goal UAH has allowed this season.

North Dakota won its 13th straight game at home, a Ralph Engelstad Arena record. The Fighting Hawks are unbeaten in their last 15 games overall.

One battle the Chargers did win was in faceoffs, 30-29.

No. 1 UND needs late goals to put away pesky Chargers

For a while, the Chargers stayed close with the top-ranked team in the country, at least on the scoreboard.

UAH scored early, and hung within a goal for most of the contest, but North Dakota eventually dispatched the Chargers 5-2 on Friday night in Grand Forks.

UAH (1-15-3) will take another shot against UND on Saturday at 7 p.m. to finish the non-conference schedule.

The Fighting Hawks (15-1-2) outshot the Chargers 36-15, with UAH goaltender Mark Sinclair needing another big night with 31 saves to keep the upset in play.

The Chargers surprised the Ralph Engelstad crowd by scoring just 18 seconds into the contest.

Connor James had a centering pass from the left side found Christian Rajic in the slot, who slipped the puck past UND goaltender Adam Scheel for a 1-0 UAH lead.

It was Rajic’s team-leading fifth goal of the season, assisted by James and Josh Latta.

The Fighting Hawks found some assertiveness thanks to back-to-back UAH penalties, but the Chargers were able to kill them both.

But UND tied the game with 5:56 left in the first when Jordan Kawaguchi parked out in front and deflected a pass by Sinclair.

The Chargers were pinned in their end for most of the second period, and North Dakota took the lead at the 3:42 mark. Grant Mismash took the feed from Scheel and beat Sinclair high while driving from the left circle.

UAH fought back and tied the game after the Hawks had a bad line change. It resulted on a two-on-none with Latta taking the outlet pass from Tanner Hickey and beating Scheel with 13:09 left in the second.

Mismash put the Hawks up again at 3-2 as he skated in front of Sinclair and slipped the puck to his right with 9:26 remaining.

UND outshot the Chargers 16-4 in the middle frame.

The Chargers had chances in the third to tie it up with three power play opportunities, including about half a minute of a 2-man advantage. While Scheel (13 saves) was forced to make big glove saves on Tanner Hickey and Bauer Neudecker, UAH’s power play continues to struggle.

The Chargers having scored a power play goal since November 9, failing to convert on their last 36 opportunities.

UND put the game away after a UAH turnover. Kawaguchi struck again with 2:36 to go to put the Hawks up 4-2.

UND added an empty-net goal by Cole Smith with 1:44 remaining.

post

Chargers get crack at No. 1 to start ’20

UAH (1-14-3) at No. 1 North Dakota (14-1-2)
WHERE: Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, N.D.
WHEN: Friday, 7:37 p.m.; Saturday, 7:07 p.m.
WATCH: NCHC.tv (subscription)

After a struggling first half to the season, UAH resumes action at North Dak ota to face the No. 1-ranked Fighting Hawks. Before the break, the Chargers took a 2-point tie and a loss at Ferris State on December 13-14.

Christian Rajic and Josh Latta lead UAH with 10 points. Rajic, Jack Jeffers, and Tyr Thompson each have four goals.

Goaltender Mark Sinclair has a 1.91 goals against average and .946 save percentage over his last three starts (3.91 GAA and .892 SV% for the season).

The Fighting Hawks have won sevengames in a row and are unbeaten in their last 13. They defeated the USA Under-18 team in an exhibition game on December 28.

Jordan Kawaguchi leads UND with 24 points on seven goals and 17 assists. He leads a Fighting Hawk offense that is tops in Division I at 4.18 goals per game.

Adam Scheel has played all 17 games in net for North Dakota, posting a .927 save percentage and 1.56 goals against average with two shutouts. UND is third in the nation in scoring defense.

The Chargers are 0-7 all-time against No. 1. The last chance came against Boston College on Dec. 29, 2012 at the Mariucci Classic in Minnesota, when UAH fell 5-2.

UAH is 0-4 all-time against North Dakota, meeting up in Grand Forks in 1989 and 2016. The series four years ago went 1-0 and 4-1 in favor of UND, which was ranked No. 2 at the time.

The Chargers return home next weekend against Bemidji State.

This week in the WCHA: All times Central.

Friday, January 3
UAH at #1 North Dakota, 7:37 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at #11 Bowling Green, 5:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
* Alaska at #3 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.

Saturday, January 4
UAH at #1 North Dakota, 7:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at #11 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Bemidji State, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska at #3 Minnesota State, 6:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Alaska Anchorage, 8:07 p.m.
Michigan Tech at #17 Arizona State, 6:05 p.m.

Sunday, January 5
* Lake Superior State at Alaska Anchorage, 8:07 p.m.
Michigan Tech at #17 Arizona State, 6:05 p.m.

Holiday Hoof Beats

We’re hoping you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season while the Chargers are on break. Here are some UAH hockey news and notes heading into 2020.

Skate with the Chargers on Monday, December 30 from 5-7 p.m. Charger hockey players will be at Skating in the Park at 300 Church Street in downtown Huntsville.

In the classroom: The Chargers finished a strong fall semester, posting a 3.443 grade point average.

Charger commit Mosley shines: Ryland Mosley, a forward with Carleton Place of the CCHL, had an impressive showing at the World Junior A Challenge earlier this month.

The Arnprior, Ontario native, who will join UAH next season, had two goals and three assists in six games to help the Canada East squad reach the gold-medal game and earn a spot on the all-tournament team. Canada East lost to Russia 2-1 in overtime to take the silver medal.

Hockey prospects and recruiting site Neutral Zone gave Mosley’s performance an “A” grade:

“Mosley was the heart-and-soul guy for Team Canada East. The returning player was named captain, and gave a full effort in every game. He was in on the forecheck, battled to win pucks, and used in all special teams situations. His work ethic and detailed play stuck out. He scored his team’s only goal against the powerful USA team in the semi-finals.”

White to join 2020-21 class: UAH received another forward commitment for next season on Sunday when Jarred White made his annoucement.

https://twitter.com/1whitey8/status/1208926354139430912

Through 34 games this season with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL, White has 42 points on 23 goals and 19 assists. The Crusaders are 32-3 this season.

The Chargers currently have six known commitments planning to join the program next season.

This week in the WCHA: Not much action as most teams stay on holiday break, including the Chargers. Interesting holiday tournament action abound for the teams that are playing.

Saturday, December 28
Lake Superior State vs. #13 Providence, 3 p.m. (Catamount Cup at Vermont)
#2 Minnesota State vs. St. Cloud State, 4 p.m. (Mariucci Classic at Minnesota)
Bemidji State at Minnesota, 7 p.m. (Mariucci Classic)

Sunday, December 29
#2 Minnesota State vs. Bemidji State or Minnesota, 4 or 7 p.m. (Mariucci Classic third place/championship)
Bemidji State vs. #2 Minnesota State or St. Cloud State, 4 p.m. (Mariucci Classic third place/championship)
Lake Superior State at Vermont, 6:05 p.m. (Catamount Cup)

Monday, December 30
Michigan Tech vs. #18 Michigan State, noon (Great Lakes Invitational at Detroit)
Ferris State vs. Michigan, 3 p.m. (Great Lakes Invitational at Detroit)
Miami at #11 Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m.

Tuesday, December 31
Ferris State vs. Michigan Tech or #18 Michigan State, 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. (Great Lakes Invitational third place/championship)
Michigan Tech vs. Ferris State or Michigan, 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. (Great Lakes Invitational third place/champioship)

UAH drops 3-1 decision to Ferris

The first half of the season ended on another sour note.

The Chargers, trying to get some momentum going after back-to-back ties, lost to Ferris State 3-1 on Saturday in Big Rapids, Michigan.

UAH heads into the holiday break with a 1-14-3 record overall and a 1-10-3-1 record in WCHA play. The Chargers next play at North Dakota on January 3-4.

Ferris State improved to 6-9-2 overall and 4-6-2-0 in WCHA play.

A bright spot for the Chargers was, once again, goaltender Mark Sinclair. He made 29 saves on 31 FSU shots, but the offensive support was not there.

Most of the first period was quiet, but Ferris State took the lead late on a power play goal following a Connor Wood holding penalty. Zach Yoder scored to put the Bulldogs up 1-0 with 2:04 remaining.

The second period saw several penalties, with UAH getting three power play opportunities. The Chargers got a few attempts on Ferris State goaltender Austin Shaw, but could not convert.

One of those power plays was cut short when Tanner Hickey and Jack Jeffers were simultaneously sent to the penalty box at the halfway point of the second, but the Chargers killed off the two-man disadvantage.

UAH had another power play to start the third period but the struggles continued. The Chargers went 0-for-7 on the power play for the game, was 0-for-9 for the series, and is 0 for their last 32 power plays overall. UAH’s last power play goal was November 9 against Alaska Anchorage.

Ferris State extended its lead to 2-0 at the 4:06 mark on Marshall Moise’s goal.

The Chargers got on the board with 9:54 remaining in regulation. Tanner Hickey’s blast from the right point was his second goal of the season, assisted by Dayne Finnson and Liam Izyk.

Ferris State finished the win on Moise’s second goal of the game and fourth of the series. It was an empty-net goal from near the full length of the ice in the final second, while UAH had the power play and Sinclair pulled for the extra attacker.