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

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

Back at it. UAH vs. Bemidji State.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, January 8

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

Friday, January 9

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

Saturday, January 10

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

* WCHA conference game

Hoof Beats: Marooney, McHugh earn WCHA weekly honors

Cody Marooney

Cody Marooney (Photo by Chris Brightwell)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maybe it’ll stick.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, January 2

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

Saturday, January 3

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

Sunday, January 4

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

* WCHA conference game

Series Preview: at Omaha, Dec. 20-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, December 20

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

Sunday, December 21

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

Sunday, December 28

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

Monday, December 29

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

Series Preview: at Alaska, Dec. 12-13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, December 12

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

Saturday, November 15

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

Idle: Alaska-Anchorage, #13 Bowling Green

Series Preview: vs. Michigan Tech, Nov. 28-29

UAH hosts Michigan Tech, ranked 6th in the USCHO.com poll and 5th in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, in a Thanksgiving weekend series. Puck drop is 7:07 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The Huskies are the second-highest ranked team to visit Huntsville (St. Cloud State was No. 3 last season).

The first 1,000 fans to Friday’s game receive a free UAH mini hockey stick. The first 500 fans to Saturday’s game receive a set of UAH hockey trading cards. Kids 12 and under are admitted free to all home games. On Saturday, donations and unwrapped toys will be collected to support Toys for Tots.

CATCHING THE GAMES
Times: 7:07 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Tickets: Ticketmaster: Friday | Saturday
Complete ticket information
Promotions: Kids 12 & under get free admission
Fri.: Mini-hockey sticks to first 1,000
Sat.: UAH trading cards to first 500
Online video: WCHA.tv (subscription)
Live stats: UAHChargers.com
Twitter: @weloveuahhockey, @uahhockey, @mtuhky, @TechHockeyGuide
More previews: UAHChargers.com
MichiganTechHuskies.com

All-time series: The Chargers and Huskies met for the first time in Houghton, Mich., last season, with Michigan Tech winning 4-1 and 10-4. This will be the first series in Huntsville. The teams meet again in Houghton on Jan. 30-31.

Chargers recap: UAH (3-9-2 overall, 2-6-0 WCHA) split a tough road series against Ferris State.

On Friday, Chad Brears scored twice, including the game-winning goal, in a 3-2 victory — UAH’s first-ever in Big Rapids, Mich. Alex Carpenter scored the other goal for the Chargers, and Carmine Guerriero stopped 35 of 37 shots. Brears’s first goal came just 1:46 into the game, and the Chargers held on despite being outshot 38-18.

On Saturday, UAH took another early lead thanks to Richard Buri’s goal, and Jeff Vanderlugt tied the game at 2-2 in the second, but UAH could not overcome penalties and three third-period Bulldog goals in a 5-2 loss. Guerriero made 30 saves in his fourth straight start.

Freshman Max McHugh had two assists over the weekend to take the UAH lead in points with seven (3-4-7). He is now tied for fourth in the WCHA in freshman scoring.

McHugh, Vanderlugt, and Frank Misuraca each have three goals. Brears, Jack Prince, Brennan Saulnier, and Brandon Parker each have six points.

Guerriero now sports a 2.43 goals against average (7th in the WCHA) and a .933 save percentage (5th in the WCHA and 12th in Division I).

UAH Tale of the tape
WCHA rank in parentheses
MTU
3-9-2
2-6-0 WCHA
(T-7th)
Record 10-2-0
8-2-0 WCHA
(1st)
1.93 (T-9th) Goals/game 3.08 (2nd)
3.07 (8th) Goals allowed/game 1.42 (2nd)
17.3 (2nd) Pen. minutes/game 14.7 (4th)
18.2% (3rd) Power play 22.4% (1st)
84.5% (8th) Penalty kill 93.3% (2nd)

About the Huskies: Michigan Tech (10-2-0 overall, 8-2-0 WCHA) was the No. 1-ranked team going into last week’s marquee series against No. 9 Minnesota State, but the Huskies were dealt their first two losses — both one-goal affairs — by the Mavericks. The Huskies are still atop the WCHA standings with 16 points, two ahead of  Minnesota State and Bowling Green.

Tech has been solid both offensively and defensively, scoring 3.08 goals per game (2nd in the WCHA) and allowing 1.42 goals per game (also 2nd in the WCHA and the nation). The Huskies lead the league in power play efficiency (22.4 percent) and are second in penalty killing (93.3 percent).

The Huskies have a potent line with senior Tanner Kero centering left wing junior Alex Petan and right wing junior Malcolm Gould. Kero leads the Huskies with 14 points, which is tied for the WCHA lead. Kero has four goals and 10 assists on the season. Petan has the most Husky goals with seven, which is tied for second in the conference. Gould is third on the team with 10 points on four goals and six assists.

Between the pipes, junior Jamie Phillips has played every minute for the Huskies this season. The 2012 seventh-round pick by the Winnipeg Jets is second in the WCHA in goals against average (1.42) and save percentage (.950).

WCHA Standings Record Pts.
Michigan Tech 8-2-0 16
Bowling Green 7-1-0 14
Minnesota State 7-1-0 14
Northern Michigan 4-2-0 8
Ferris State 4-4-0 8
Lake Superior State 3-7-0 6
Alabama-Huntsville 2-6-0 4
Alaska-Anchorage 2-6-0 4
Bemidji State 2-6-0 4
Alaska 1-5-0 2

Around the WCHA: Two other conference series are on tap this Thanksgiving weekend. Seventh-ranked Minnesota State hits the Upper Peninsula again with two at Lake Superior State. No. 19 Northern Michigan, after splitting at Alaska-Anchorage, continues their two-week excursion in Alaska to battle the Nanooks in Fairbanks.

In non-conference action, Ferris State travels to Wisconsin to play the suprisingly still-winless Badgers. Bemidji State, losers of six straight, hosts No. 16 St. Cloud State. The Beavers have not faced a non-ranked opponent yet this season.

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

Friday, November 28

* #6 Michigan Tech at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* #7 Minnesota State at Lake Superior State, 6:37 p.m.
* #19 Northern Michigan at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Ferris State at Wisconsin, 7 p.m.
#16 St. Cloud State at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m.

Saturday, November 29

* #6 Michigan Tech at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* #7 Minnesota State at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* #19 Northern Michigan at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
#16 St. Cloud State at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
Ferris State at Wisconsin, 8 p.m.

Series Preview: at Ferris State, Nov. 21-22

The Chargers head to Big Rapids, Mich., this Friday and Saturday to face the Ferris State Bulldogs.

CATCHING THE GAMES
Times: 6:07 p.m. CT Friday and Saturday
Online video: WCHA.tv (subscription)
Online audio: WDEE-FM
Live stats: Click here
Twitter: @weloveuahhockey, @uahhockey@FerrisHockey
More previews: UAHChargers.com
FerrisStateBulldogs.com

All-time series: Ferris State leads the series 9-2, including a 6-0 record in Big Rapids dating back to UAH’s first-ever varsity game in 1985. Last season, the two teams met for their WCHA series in Huntsville, where the Bulldogs won 5-0 and 3-2. The last time the Chargers were at Ferris State was in February of 2011, won by the Buldogs 5-2 and 5-1.

Chargers recap: UAH (2-8-2 overall, 1-5-0 WCHA) snapped a 31-game home winless streak against Division I opponents on Saturday and earned a split against Lake Superior State. The Chargers are 2-2-2 in their last six games.

On Friday, Carmine Guerriero stopped 33 of 34 shots, but the Chargers could not find the net as Lake Superior State won 1-0.

On Saturday, Guerriero started back-to-back games for the first time at UAH, and the Chargers responded offensively in a 5-2 victory. Jeff Vanderlugt had three points on the night, and was one of five different scorers (Cody Marooney, Richard Buri, Max McHugh, Vanderlugt, Jack Prince). It was the Chargers largest offensive output against a Division I opponent since 2010. UAH killed all 10 Laker power plays.

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

Guerriero now sports a 2.27 goals against average (6th in the WCHA) and a .938 save percentage (4th in the WCHA).

UAH Tale of the tape
WCHA rank in parentheses
FSU
2-8-2
1-5-0 WCHA
Record 6-5-0
3-3-0 WCHA
1.83 (9th) Goals/game 2.27 (7th)
3.00 (6th) Goals allowed/game 1.64 (3rd)
15.7 (2nd) Pen. minutes/game 14.4 (4th)
18.4% (4th) Power play 8.2% (9th)
83.6% (7th) Penalty kill 90.5% (4th)

About the Bulldogs: Ferris State (6-5-0 overall, 3-3-0 WCHA) finally exploded offensively in a sweep at home against Alaska-Anchorage. After scoring just 11 goals in their first 10 games this season, the Bulldogs put a 10-spot on the Seawolves last Thursday, then shut out UAA 4-0. FSU has won four of six.

The Bulldogs have been relying heavily on their senior all-star goalie, C.J. Motte. A top-10 Hobey Baker finalist last season, Motte has posted a 1.58 goals against average and a .948 save percentage so far in 2014-15.

Offensively, FSU is led by junior Matt Robertson, who has nine points (four goals, five assists). Sophomore Gerald Mayhew — who was the WCHA’s Offensive Player of the Week for his five-point weekend against Alaska-Anchorage — also has four goals, and sophomore Chad McDonald has five. Senior defenseman Jason Binkley has five assists.

Around the WCHA: It’s a marquee matchup in Houghton, as Michigan Tech — the new No. 1 team in Division I — hosts Minnesota State. The Huskies are the only unbeaten and untied team in the nation at 10-0-0 after a sweep at Bemidji State last week. Tech is 8-0-0 in WCHA play, while the ninth-ranked Mavericks are tied with Bowling Green with a 5-1-0 conference record.

This is the first weekend with all 10 teams in conference action. Elsewhere, Bowling Green hosts Bemidji State, Alaska is at Lake Superior State, and Northern Michigan is in Anchorage.

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

Friday, November21

* UAH at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at #18 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* #9 Minnesota State at #1 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* #17 Northern Michigan at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, November 15

* UAH at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at #18 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
* #9 Minnesota State at #1 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* #17 Northern Michigan at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.

Series Preview: vs. Lake Superior State, Nov. 14-15

The Chargers are back home, resuming WCHA play and hosting Lake Superior State on Friday and Saturday.

It’s Military Appreciation Weekend, and all veterans and active personnel get free admission to both games. On Saturday, the first 500 fans will receive free camo rally towels. For all home games this season, kids 12 and under get in free courtesy of Huntsville International Airport.

CATCHING THE GAMES
Times: 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Tickets: Ticketmaster: Friday | Saturday
Complete ticket information
Promotions: Veterans, active military, and
kids 12 & under get free admission
Fri.: Trading cards
Sat.: Camo rally towels
Details
Online video: WCHA.tv (subscription)
Live stats: UAHChargers.com
Twitter: @weloveuahhockey, @uahhockey@LakeStateHockey
More previews: UAHChargers.com
LSSULakers.com

All-time series: The Chargers and Lakers have met eight times since 2005, with Lake Superior holding a 5-2-1 advantage in the series.

The Lakers have won all four meetings at the Von Braun Center, including two one-goal games (2-1 and 3-2) last season.

Chargers recap: UAH (1-7-2 overall, 0-4-0 WCHA) had its best weekend in quite a while at Air Force.

On Friday, Jost Kestner’s goal with 1:53 left in regulation was the game-winner in UAH’s 4-2 victory. Cody Champagne, Frank Misuraca, and Jack Prince (with the empty-net clincher) also scored, and Carmine Guerriero stopped 24 of 26 shots in net as the Chargers recorded their first win of the season.

On Saturday, UAH took a 3-0 lead in the second period with Max McHugh and Craig Pierce (twice) scoring in a span of 5:08. However, three power play goals in the third by the Falcons forced a 3-3 tie. Matt Larose made 36 saves.

It was the first weekend since Dec. 2012, a sweep of Division III Finlandia, where the UAH did not lose, and the first since the 2010 CHA Tournament against Division I opponents. It was also the first 3-point weekend on the road since the Chargers tied and beat Robert Morris on Dec. 4-5, 2009.

Friday night will be senior captain Doug Reid’s 100th game with the Chargers. He has two goals and 12 assists in his UAH career.

UAH Tale of the tape
WCHA rank in parentheses
LSSU
1-7-2
0-4-0 WCHA
Record 1-9-0
1-5-0 WCHA
1.70 (8th) Goals/game 1.60 (9th)
3.30 (8th) Goals allowed/game 3.80 (10th)
15.0 (3rd) Pen. minutes/game 8.2 (10th)
12.5% (7th) Power play 7.0% (9th)
80.8% (9th) Penalty kill 82.4% (8th)

About the Lakers: Lake Superior State (1-9-0 overall, 1-5-0 Atlantic Hockey) is coming off an idle week. The Lakers’ last action came two weeks ago at Alaska-Anchorage, where a 3-2 overtime victory forced a series split and snapped a nine-game losing streak to start the season. LSSU is looking to rebuild under first-year coach Damon Whitten.

Like the Chargers, Lake Superior State has had problems scoring goals consistently, netting only 16 in 10 games (UAH has 17). Junior forward Bryce Schmitt leads the Lakers in goals and points so far with three and five, respectively. Senior Stephen Perfetto and junior Austin McKay each have two.

Defensively, the Lakers are last in the WCHA in goals allowed (3.80 per game). They have had to rely on two freshmen goaltenders: Gordon Defiel (eight starts, 3.41 goals against average, .908 save percentage), and Kevin Aldridge (two starts, 3.90 GAA, .845 save pct.).

Around the WCHA: Two other league series are on tap for the weekend. No. 5 Michigan Tech puts its perfect record on the line at Bemidji State, and Ferris State hosts Alaska-Anchorage in a Thursday-Friday series.

In non-conference action, Bowling Green has a home-and-home with in-state rival Ohio State. Friday night’s game is at Bowling Green and Saturday’s game is in Columbus.

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

Thursday, November 13

* Alaska-Anchorage at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.

Friday, November 14

* Lake Superior State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* #5 Michigan Tech at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m.
Ohio State at #19 Bowling Green, 7:07 p.m.

Saturday, November 15

* Lake Superior State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* #5 Michigan Tech at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
#19 Bowling Green at Ohio State, 6 p.m.

Idle: Alaska, #9 Minnesota State, #18 Northern Michigan

Series Preview: at Air Force, Nov. 7-8

The Chargers finish up three straight weeks on the road with a non-conference trip to Colorado Springs to take on a familiar foe in more ways than one — Air Force.

UAH head coach Mike Corbett spent nine seasons as an assistant coach and one as an associate head coach at Air Force before taking the Huntsville job in 2013.

CATCHING THE GAMES
Times: 8:05 p.m. CT Friday and Saturday
Online video: AtlanticHockey.tv (subscription)
Online audio: AM 1300 Colorado Springs
Live stats: Friday | Saturday
Twitter: @weloveuahhockey, @uahhockey, @AF_HKY
More previews: UAHChargers.com
GoAirForceFalcons.com

All-time series: Since UAH became a varsity program in 1985, the Chargers have played Air Force 56 times, trailing only Bemidji State (74 games) and Niagara (57) as UAH’s most common opponent. The Chargers hold a 35-18-3 lead in the series, plus a 3-1 record while UAH was still a club program. Twenty-nine of the meetings came while both teams were members of College Hockey America (1999-2006), with UAH having a 21-7-1 record.

As varsity, UAH is 16-12-1 in Colorado Springs, winning the last two meetings by 4-2 scores on October 16-17, 2009. The Chargers lost to the Falcons 6-1 on Dec. 30, 2012, at the Mariucci Classic in Minneapolis. Between those meetings, UAH tied and lost in a two-game series in Huntsville in 2011.

Chargers recap: UAH (0-7-1 overall, 0-4-0 WCHA) notched a tie and a loss in a non-conference series at Northern Michigan last week. The series finished up a contract UAH and NMU had before they both were WCHA members.

On Friday, Matt Salhany’s shorthanded breakaway goal in the second period was the equalizer in UAH’s 1-1 draw. Carmine Guerriero stopped 34 of 35 shots as the Chargers ended the Wildcats’ 4-game win streak and their own 6-game losing streak to start the season.

On Saturday, Northern Michigan blew away the Chargers in the third period in a 4-1 win. Brennan Saulnier had the only goal for the Chargers, who were outshot 20-1 in the final frame. Matt Larose made 37 saves.

About the Falcons: Air Force (2-5-0 overall, 2-2-0 Atlantic Hockey) played one game last week, a tough 3-2 overtime loss at North Dakota in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game. North Dakota tied the game at 2-2 with 29 seconds remaining in regulation, and won it with 6.4 seconds left in overtime.

Through seven games, senior Cole Gunner leads the Falcons with eight points on two goals and six assists. Three other players have six points so far: seniors Chad Demers (3-3-6) and Scott Holm (3-3-6), and sophomore defenseman  Johnny Hrabovsky (0-6-6). Sophomore A.J. Reid also has three goals.

Sophomore goaltender Chris Truehl has started all seven games, compiling a 3.26 goals against average and an .885 save percentage.

The Falcons were picked to finish third in the Atlantic Hockey preseason poll.

Around the WCHA: UAH is the only WCHA team playing non-conference action this week. While Lake Superior State is idle, there are four interesting league matchups.

Michigan Tech, now in the top 10 in the latest USCHO.com poll, defends its perfect record at home against the Seawolves of Alaska-Anchorage. Ferris State looks to kickstart its offense at Northern Michigan in a battle of ranked teams. Bemidji State looks to keep its offense kicking against in-state rival Minnesota State. Alaska, in its first action after learning it will be ineligible for this year’s postseason, hosts Bowling Green.

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

Friday, November 7

UAH at Air Force, 8:05 p.m.
* #16 Ferris State at #20 Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at #9 Michigan Tech, 6:37 p.m.
* Bemidji State at #13 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, November 1

UAH at Northern Michigan, 8:05 p.m.
* #16 Ferris State at #20 Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at #9 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at #13 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

Series Preview: at Northern Michigan, Oct. 31-Nov. 1

The Chargers face Northern Michigan in the second of three straight road trips in Marquette, Mich., on Friday and Saturday.

This is a non-conference series between WCHA foes. It finishes a contract UAH had signed with Northern Michigan before it joined the WCHA. The league series will be in Huntsville on January 16-17.

CATCHING THE GAMES
Times: Fri. 7:07 p.m. | Sat. 7:07 p.m.
Online video: WCHA.tv (subscription)
Online audio: WNMU-FM
Live stats: Friday | Saturday
Twitter: @weloveuahhockey, @uahhockey, @NMUHockey, @Wildcat_Dave (David Danis)
More previews: UAHChargers.com
NMUWildcats.com

Season series: UAH and Northern Michigan have met eight times since 2003. The Wildcats have won seven games with one tie, which occurred in Huntsville in 2004. The Chargers are 0-4 in Marquette. Last season, NMU won all four meetings, shutting out the Chargers twice in Michigan (3-0 and 4-0).

Chargers recap: UAH (0-6-0 overall, 0-4-0 WCHA) was swept by WCHA favorite Minnesota State last week.

The Chargers kept the games close despite the Mavericks dominating on shots on goal, thanks to goaltenders Carmine Guerriero and Matt Larose.

On Friday, Guerriero stopped 54 shots in UAH’s 3-1 loss. Max McHugh cut MSU’s lead to 2-1 with 30 seconds left, but the Mavericks scored an empty-netter to put the game away.

On Saturday, Larose made 37 saves as the Chargers fell 4-1. Josh Kestner got the lone goal for UAH, which tied the game in the second period.

About the Wildcats: Northern Michigan (4-0-0 overall, 2-0-0 WCHA) is one of five remaining teams in NCAA Division I without a loss or tie. The Wildcats opened the season in Green Bay against then-18th-ranked Wisconsin with wins of 2-0 and 4-1. NMU took two at Lake Superior State, 4-2 and 3-0, to open conference play.

Goaltender Mathias Dahlstrom has played every minute this season. The sophomore has allowed only three goals, posting a 0.75 goals against average, a .968 save percentage, and two shutouts.

Junior Darren Nowick has paced the Wildcats on offense so far, leading the team with four goals and tied for the team lead with five points. Sophomore John Siemer also has five points on two goals and three assists. Sophomore Dominik Shine  has three goals.

The Wildcats were picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll and seventh in the media poll.

Around the WCHA: The WCHA has been holding its own in non-conference action, posting a 17-15-3 record, and a 8-5-0 record against ranked opponents.

Big early-season conference series at Bowling Green this weekend, as the nation’s top scorer, Kevin Dufour, and the Falcons (4-1-1) host No. 12 Minnesota State (4-2-0).

In non-conference action, Michigan Tech, another undefeated and untied team currently ranked No. 17 in the USCHO.com poll, hosts No. 15 Michigan.

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

Friday, October 31

UAH at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* #12 Minnesota State at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* #16 Alaska at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
#14 Ferris State at Michigan State, 6 p.m.
#15 Michigan at #17 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.

Saturday, November 1

UAH at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* #12 Minnesota State at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* #16 Alaska at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Alaska-Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
#14 Ferris State at Michigan State, 6 p.m.
#15 Michigan at #17 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.