Chargers bedevil ASU to split series

The Chargers defeated Arizona State 3-1 on Saturday night in Tempe, Arizona, to force a series split and put a happy end to a long and occasionally frustrating road swing to start the season.

UAH (2-6-0) overcame a 1-0 deficit with two second-period goals and held the Sun Devils (2-6-2) to 19 shots on net.

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UAH came out firing and making ASU goaltender Joey Daccord work in the first period, something the Chargers didn’t do in their 3-2 loss on Friday. UAH had 14 shots on goal Saturday as opposed to just one on Friday.

However, the Chargers couldn’t convert any of those shots into goals. They had some good looks, including a Levi Wunder breakaway and a Brennan Saulnier shot that trickled in the crease before finally being cleared.

On the other end, the Sun Devils only managed two shots on goal despite having three power play opportunities.

While the first period was relatively quiet, the second period was anything but.

Kurt Gosselin got a boarding penalty at 5:06, and ASU converted on the power play with a Brinson Pasichnuk goal for a 1-0 lead. UAH has given up the first goal in all eight games this season.

But the Chargers quickly with a tic-tac-toe goal. Cam Knight sent it forward to Gosselin in the slot, who tapped it to Christian Rajic in the right circle, who beat Daccord to tie the game at 1-1. It was Rajic’s second goal of the season.

Things got rough after that. With 10:25 left in the second, Steen Pasichnuk was assessed a five-minute major penalty after boarding Gosselin. A fracas in the corner of the UAH end ensued after that, resulting in two roughing calls on both sides.

During UAH’s major power play, each team traded minor penalties, but the Chargers finally got a power play goal. Brennan Saulnier, out of the box following a high-sticking call, one-timed a Gosselin pass from the right side to give UAH a 2-1 lead with 5:28 left in the period. Connor James got the second assist for his first point of the season.

The goal ended a long drought on the power play for UAH, which had failed in its last 23 opportunities dating back four games to Oct. 21 at Michigan Tech.

The Sun Devils came out strong in the third period, and applied plenty of pressure on UAH goaltender Jordan Uhelski. ASU put 11 shots on net in the period, but Uhelski used the body and glove to stop them all.

ASU played the last minute with Daccord on the bench for the extra attacker and produced a last flurry, but Josh Kestner was able to fire in the clinching goal, his fourth of the year, from the neutral zone with 26 seconds left.

The win ends a 13-game losing streak for UAH against non-conference opponents.

Senior defenseman Brandon Parker was not in UAH’s lineup on Saturday, missing his first game since his freshman season. Parker had played in 105 consecutive games for the Chargers.

Next up, UAH hosts Alaska Anchorage at the Von Braun Center for a WCHA home-opening series. Puck drop is 7:07 on Friday and Saturday for Homecoming and Military Appreciation Weekend.

UAH loses first game against Arizona State, 3-2

The first game in the battle of the Sun Belt goes to Arizona State.

The Sun Devils defeated the Chargers 3-2 Friday at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe, Arizona.

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UAH (1-6-0) continued to struggle offensively, particularly on the power play. The Chargers were 0-for-6, and have not scored in their last 20 power play opportunities.

Arizona State, in its third season as an NCAA Division I program, improved to 2-5-2.

As they have for all seven games so far this season, the Chargers allowed the first goal.

On a 4-on-3 power play, Jakob Stridsberg beat UAH goaltender Mark Sinclair on a one-timer from the right circle for a 1-0 Sun Devil lead at the 7:40 mark of the first period.

In the offensive zone, UAH had plenty of shot attempts in the first period, but only one — by Brennan Saulnier with 1:48 left — was on net. Eight of the Chargers’ chances went wide, and six were blocked by the Sun Devils.

The Chargers finally got to make ASU goaltender and Ottawa Senators prospect Joey Daccord work in the second period, putting 10 shots on him. But the one goal they scored was on a bad turnover.

Nick Gushue tried to pass the puck around the back boards, but Brennan Saulnier was there to intercept it behind the ASU net. Saulnier then wrapped it around past Daccord for a 1-1 game at the 1:45 mark of the second period.

Stridsberg put the Sun Devils back up 2-1 almost four minutes later, putting in a rebound for his second goal of the game.

UAH had three chances to tie it up on the power play, but it continued to struggle.

The Devils had a chance to extend their lead on a penalty shot after Cam Knight slashed Anthony Croston on a shorthanded breakaway with 10:50 left in the second. Sinclair was patient and made the save.

ASU did get its two-goal lead at 5:13 of the third, when captain Dylan Hollman beat Sinclair while falling in the slot.

UAH pulled within 3-2 with 1:18 to go with the extra attacker when Kurt Gosselin scored his second goal of the season, assisted by Hans Gorowsky.

Sinclair finished with 19 saves on 22 ASU shots on goal.

Also complicating matters was UAH’s faceoff situation. UAH only won 19 of 62 faceoffs.

UAH has now lost 13 straight games against non-conference opponents. The last chance to break the streak for this season is in the series finale, which is Saturday night at 9:05 p.m. Central Time.

UAH comes up empty at Cornell in 3-0 shutout

UAH found nothing but frustration in Ithaca, N.Y., this weekend, falling 3-0 to Cornell on Saturday as the Big Red completed a dominant series sweep.

The Chargers (1-5-0) managed only 11 shots on goal against the Big Red (2-0-0) as they lost their 12th straight non-conference game. They’ll finish their out-of-WCHA schedule next week at Arizona State.

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Including Cornell’s 5-1 win on Friday, the Chargers managed only one goal in the series. UAH’s power play was almost nonexistent, going 0-for-12 for the weekend.

The Chargers didn’t get many opportunities to score in the first period, even with two power play chances. UAH only had four shots on goal to the Big Red’s nine.

After UAH’s first power play expired, Cornell responded with a 3-on-1 break, leading to a 1-0 lead 3:05 into the game on Matt Nuttle’s goal. The opponent has scored first in all of the Chargers’ six games this season.

UAH probably had its best power play of the weekend early in the second period with some good passing, but only had one shot on net.

Cornell then scored on its next power play, with Trevor Yates getting his second goal of the series on Jordan Uhelski’s doorstep with 10:35 left in the second.

The Chargers were in a bind late in the second period with three straight penalties. Kurt Gosselin was called for hooking and slashing with 25 seconds left, then Brandon Parker got a cross-checking penalty seven seconds later to set up a two-man advantage for Cornell.

UAH was able to kill all the penalties early in the third period, but could not convert it into much offensive pressure.

But the Chargers were still in it down 2-0, up until Brennan Saulnier’s boarding penalty with 3:53 to go. Trevor Yates struck again on the power play to make it 3-0.

While UAH’s power play floundered, Cornell finished 4-for-13 in the series with the advantage.

The frustration then vented over for UAH. Ten seconds after the goal, Gosselin committed a high-sticking penalty that also drew a 10-minute misconduct.

Uhelski finished with 19 saves on 22 Cornell shots on goal.

Cornell freshman goaltender made all 11 saves for the shutout.

Cornell takes control, beats UAH 5-1

UAH couldn’t withstand the attack of Cornell in the second and third periods in a 5-1 loss Friday night in Ithaca, N.Y.

UAH (1-4-0) had a feverish attack late in the first period thanks to plenty of power play opportunities, but Cornell (1-0-0) weathered the storm and took over the game.

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UAH’s losing streak against non-conference opponents is now at 11 games.

Cornell scored the opening goal on the power play. Cam Knight went off for interference at 4:35, and only four seconds later, Alec McCrea scored as the puck went through a thick screen and past Jordan Uhelski.

UAH had extensive chances to score late in the first period as Cornell piled up some penalties.

Alex Rauter got a slashing call with 3:58 left, and then Noah Bauld checked Brennan Saulnier from behind into the boards. Bauld got a five-minute major and a game misconduct, giving the Chargers a two-man advantage.

The Chargers got many a shot on Cornell freshman goaltender Matthew Galajda, but could not break through. The Big Red killed off the Rauter penalty, but after Yanna Kaldis tripped Josh Kestner, UAH had another 5-on-3 opportunity to finish the first period.

UAH ended up with a 16-7 shots on goal advantage but found itself down 1-0 at intermission.

The Big Red killed off the Kaldis penalty and the major to start the second period, and then went on the attack.

When Christian Rajic went off for tripping, Cornell scored quickly on their ensuing power play again. Trevor Yates made it 2-0 with a goal just five minutes into the second.

Less than two minutes later, Morgan Barron made it 3-0 after putting in a rebound after a 2-on-1.

The Chargers’ best chance in the second period came when Tyler Poulsen, back after sitting out last week’s series finale at Michigan Tech, had a breakaway, but he ended up in the net instead of the puck after Galajda made the save.

UAH simply could not mount a comeback, getting only three shots on goal in the third period. Meanwhile, Jeff Malott added two goals in the third period for a 5-0 Cornell lead.

Brennan Saulnier prevented the shutout with his second goal of the season with 3:08 left in the game. Poulsen and Connor Merkley got the assists.

Uhelski finished the game with 26 saves. Galajda had 28.

Game two of the series is Saturday night at 6 p.m. Central Time. The game can be seen via subscription to the Ivy League Network.

UAH beats Michigan Tech for the first time, 4-2

UAH got its first ever victory over 15th-ranked Michigan Tech on Saturday, beating the Huskies 4-2 in Houghton.

The Chargers, whose first win of the season earned a series split, were 0-13-2 all-time against Michigan Tech and 0-8-1 at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

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The Chargers (1-3-0 overall, 1-1-0 WCHA) came up big on the penalty kill, which had struggled in the first three games of the season. Michigan Tech (4-2-1 overall, 2-1-1 WCHA) came up empty on eight power plays, including four in the third period alone while UAH was nursing a two-goal lead.

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Jordan Uhelski was a big reason for the victory, and not just during the penalty kill. The senior goaltender made 41 saves, limiting rebounds and getting the cover ups when needed.

The Chargers were outshot 43-20, partly a result of being shorthanded a bunch, but got the timely goals: one on the power play and one shorthanded.

UAH had to play without its leading goal scorer in Tyler Poulsen, who was suspended by the WCHA on Saturday for his vicious elbow hit on Raymond Brice in the third period of Friday’s game.

Michigan Tech got on the board early again in this game, with Thomas Beretta one-timing a centering pass in the slot over Jordan Uhelski at the 4:56 mark.

UAH’s hot power play got its first shot after Cooper Watson checked Madison Dunn into the boards. And Kurt Gosselin tied the game … twice.

First, Gosselin ripped one from the high slot to beat Tech freshman goaltender Robbie Beydoun, who was making his first collegiate start, with 11:15 left in the first. However, the officials waved the goal after consulting the video replay.

No matter. Thirty-two seconds later on the power play, Gosselin did a replay of his own, and this time it counted. Gosselin’s first goal of the season tied the game at 1-1, assisted by Brandon Parker and Brennan Saulnier.

It was the fourth straight power play opportunity converted by the Chargers.

Beydoun got the quick hook, and MTU coach Joe Shawhan put in Patrick Munson, last night’s goalie, in net.

The Huskies, who scored three power play goals their 5-4 win on Friday, got three power play chances after Gosselin’s goal, but UAH was able to kill them off without incident.

MTU had plenty of scoring chances, however, and was able to put 17 shots on goal in the first period to UAH’s four. Uhelski kept steady, stopping 16 of them.

The Chargers made their fourth shot on goal count, taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. Josh Kestner, driving toward the net, backhanded a Christian Rajic pass in mid-air past Munson with 3:57 left in the period.

Connor Merkley got the second assist on the goal for his first career point at UAH.

The Chargers were able to get more consistent offensive pressure and limiting Michigan Tech in the second period. The Huskies still had a shots advantage in the period, but it was only 13-10.

UAH got the lone goal of the second, however, and this time it came on the Huskies’ power play.

With Saulnier in the box for a roughing penalty, defenseman John Teets picked off a puck near the Charger blue line for a breakaway, then scored on a trickler between Munson’s legs for a 3-1 lead with 9:31 remaining in the frame. It was UAH’s first shorthanded goal of the season.

UAH had to withstand a continuous onslaught by the Huskies in the third period, partly because the Chargers couldn’t stay out of the penalty box. MTU had four power plays in the final frame, but couldn’t convert on any.

It wasn’t until a mistake at center ice led to a two-on-none that Tech was able to cut UAH’s lead to 3-2 with 2:10 left. Gavin Gould had an easy open net as Uhelski had no chance.

Tech was forced to pull Munson for the extra attacker, but Hans Gorowsky was able to score on the empty netter with 1:17 remaining to regain the two-goal advantage and the final 4-2 score. Brandon Salerno and John Teets got the assists.

UAH’s season-opening road swing continues next Friday and Saturday with a series at ECAC opponent Cornell.

Chargers come up short against Tech again

UAH has got to beat Michigan Tech sometime. The Chargers have now made it a habit of getting close, but still need that key goal.

Michigan Tech rallied to beat UAH 5-4 on Friday in Houghton, Mich. in the WCHA conference opener for the Chargers. The Huskies (4-1-1 overall, 2-0-1 WCHA) are now 13-0-2 all-time against UAH (0-3-0 overall, 0-1-0 WCHA).

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The Chargers arguably played their best game against the 15th-ranked Huskies, and held a 4-3 lead at the halfway point of the third period. But UAH’s penalty kill struggles continued, allowing three power play goals, including the one that relinquished that lead.

Jordan Uhelski did all he could to keep victory within reach, making 33 saves, including some critical stops in the third.

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The game started inauspiciously for UAH, which is now 0-8-1 at Tech’s MacInnes Ice Arena.

A boarding call on Cam Knight just 25 seconds into the contest quickly put the Chargers on the penalty kill, which has struggled so far this season. And the struggles continued as Dane Birks’s blast from the left point put the Huskies up 1-0 at 1:41.

UAH weathered a cross-checking penalty on Brennan Saulnier before finally asserting itself on offense.

On a 3-on-2 break, Christian Rajic took a shot on Tech goaltender Patrick Munson from the high slot. Munson made the save on it and to rebound tries by Kurt Gosselin. The puck squirted out of the scramble to Rajic, who poked it past Munson’s right to tie the game with 13:15 left in the first.

Rajic’s goal, his first collegiate point, was assisted by Gosselin and Cam Knight.

The Huskies looked to take over the game with two goals in the middle of the second period. Mitch Reinke scored from near the blue line at 9:14, and Joel L’Esperance made it 3-1 Tech with yet another power play goal at the 13:16 mark.

The Chargers did not go away quietly, posting two power play goals of their own to finish off the second period. In fact, UAH was solid on that side of special teams, going 3-for-4 with the man advantage.

With 3:24 left, Saulnier notched his first goal of the season from Munson’s doorstep, deflecting a Brandon Salerno pass from the left point. Gosselin also got an assist on the play.

Josh Kestner tied the game at 3-3 with 1:14 remaining in the period. Tyler Poulsen took the puck in the right circle, waited for an opening, then slid it to Kestner in the left circle. Kestner then fired it top shelf past Munson for this second tally of the year. Knight was also credited with an assist.

L’Esperance almost put Tech up again in the final minute of the second, but Uhelski snatched the puck with his glove for a critical save.

At the end of two, it was even in just about every category. Each team had 20 shots on goal, three penalties, and two power play goals. UAH had a slight edge in faceoffs, 26-22.

With 12:29 left in the third, UAH took its only lead by converting its third straight power play opportunity. Kestner made a nifty pass to Poulsen in the right circle, close to the goal line, and found an opening past Munson.

Then came the Michigan Tech rally. After Gosselin was sent of for interference, Justin Misiak was left all alone on Uhelski’s doorstep, and Mark Auk found him. Misiak easily put in the equalizer with 9:48 left.

Then with 5:29 remaining, Jake Lucchini, who was earlier denied by Uhelski on a breakaway, scored the game-winner for MTU.

The Huskies outshot the Chargers 18-8 in the third and 38-28 for the game. Munson made 24 saves in net for Tech.

Game two of the series is Saturday at 6:07 p.m. CDT and can be seen on WCHA.tv.

UAH musters chances, but no goals vs. Irish

UAH had the shots against 8th-ranked Notre Dame, but not the goals. Not any.

The Chargers were shut out 4-0 on Saturday by touted freshman goaltender Dylan St. Cyr and the Fighting Irish, who completed the season-opening sweep.

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UAH (0-2-0) had the benefit of 34 shots on goal and five power plays, but were bitten by last-second goals in the first and second periods by Notre Dame (2-0-0).

Mark Sinclair had 27 saves in his first collegiate start for the Chargers, who have next week off before travelling to Michigan Tech for their first WCHA series of the season.

The first period was set up nicely for UAH.

UAH had the benefit of three power plays in the first 10 minutes of the game, but could not convert. Indeed, it was Notre Dame which had the shots advantage at that point, including a couple of shorthanded opportunities.

The Chargers finally found some rhythm afterward, though, and was able to keep St. Cyr, the U.S. national development team product, busy. With about seven minutes left in the frame, St. Cyr denied a one-time shot by Josh Kestner after a great pass by Kurt Gosselin.

Despite the offensive charge by UAH, it could not find the net. But when Notre Dame finally got its first power play of the game with 33 seconds left in the period (a hooking call on Christian Rajic), the Irish, which had two power play goals on Friday, made them pay quickly.

Notre Dame pounced on a turnover, and Bobby Nardella found a wide open Andrew Oglevie in the left circle. Oglevie’s one-timer beat Sinclair with only a half second remaining in the first.

The Chargers had more shots in the first period, 15-11, but it was the Fighting Irish who led 1-0.

Notre Dame extended its lead to 2-0 on a similar play with 14:41 left in the second. Colin Thiesen on the right circle passed it to the left circle, where Jordan Gross, again wide open, released a one-timer past Sinclair.

UAH had 1:06 of two-man advantage after back-to-back penalties by way of Irish hits on Brennan Saulnier, but the Chargers couldn’t start a comeback. UAH finished 0-for-5 on the power play for the game and 1-for-10 in the series.

To make things sting even more, the Irish ended the second period with yet another goal in the final second. It was Oglevie who scored again, this time with just :00.1 left on the clock to make it 3-0 Notre Dame.

Matt Steeves added ND’s fourth goal with 10:11 to go, putting in a rebound as he was being tripped by Cody Champagne.

Hans Gorowsky had seven of the Chargers’ 34 shots on goal, which actually exceeded Notre Dame’s 31.

Cam Knight briefly went to the locker room after a collision with Notre Dame’s Dennis Gilbert laid him down on the ice for a couple of minutes. He returned late in the period and started the second period.

Irish hold off feisty Chargers in season opener

Game No. 1,000 for UAH varsity hockey came close to being one of the program’s all-time upsets. While it came short of that, it did show that this Chargers team could have the tools to withstand some tough situations.

UAH never let No. 8 Notre Dame out of its sights on Friday, but the Chargers lost 5-3 in South Bend in the season opener for both teams.

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Tyler Poulsen scored two goals for UAH in the see-saw affair, which saw the Chargers have a lead throughout a bulk of the second period.

Notre Dame had advantages in shots on goal (40-28) and particularly faceoffs (41-22). UAH senior goaltender Jordan Uhelski did his job to keep the upset chance alive with all the pressure around him, making 35 saves.

It was up and down for the first half of the first period, but the Fighting Irish asserted control in the second half. Notre Dame was able to get several close-range shots on Uhelski, who was up to the task with 16 saves in the period.

The Chargers were able to get nine shots on goal on Irish sophomore goalie Cale Morris, with Brennan Saulnier getting a couple to keep him on his toes.

The second period is when things went crazy, with six of the eight goals being scored and each team getting three.

Bobby Nardella finished off a power play from Brandon Parker’s hooking call late in the first to give Notre Dame a 1-0 lead just 12 seconds in.

If you thought that may open the floodgates for the Irish, you were quickly corrected. UAH answered right back as Poulsen scored the Chargers’ first goal of the season just 36 seconds later, redirecting a Saulnier shot from the right circle.

Notre Dame quickly retook the lead at 3:01, with Colin Theisen splitting the defense and wristing the puck over Uhelski.

UAH bounced right back yet again. Josh Kestner tipped a Hans Gorowsky backhander through the slot, fooling Morris as the puck passed to his right and in the net. Levi Wunder got the second assist for his first collegiate point.

In a span of 4:44, four goals were scored and the game was tied at 2-2.

After Nardella was called for hooking during a Kestner breakaway, UAH notched its first power play goal and lead of the season. Kestner had a nifty backdoor pass to Poulsen, who wrapped the puck around an open net as the Chargers took a 3-2 lead at the 7:17 mark.

Notre Dame tied it up at 3-3 with 1:30 left in the second when Dennis Gilbert’s right point blast through traffic beat Uhelski.

In the third, the Irish regained the lead on their second power play goal. Connor James was called for high sticking at 5:30, and just 20 seconds later, Jake Evans tipped a Jordan Gross shot to make it 4-3 Irish.

The Irish went 2-for-5 on the power play Friday, as the penalty killing struggles seemed to continue from last season.

The Chargers had a big chance to tie it up before regulation. Gilbert was called for slashing with 1:06 left, and with Uhelski already pulled for an extra attacker, UAH had a 6-on-4 advantage. However, Evans was able to clear the puck down the length of the ice for a shorthanded empty net goal for the final 5-3 score.

Game two of the series is at 6:05 p.m. CDT, and can be seen online at NBCSports.com.

UAH bows out with 2-0 loss at Bowling Green

UAH was officially eliminated from WCHA playoff contention when Northern Michigan defeated Michigan Tech 5-3. But topping off the disappointing season was a 2-0 loss at Bowling Green on Saturday in the final game of the regular season.

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The Chargers finish the season 9-22-3 overall and 9-16-3 in the WCHA. While the nine wins is the most for UAH since 2009-10, UAH will miss the playoffs for the second straight season.

Bowling Green improved to 17-17-2 overall and 14-13-1 in the WCHA. The win clinched the Falcons the fourth seed in the playoffs, giving them home ice in the first round against Ferris State.

The Chargers started off with a road sweep of Ferris State, held fourth place at the holiday break, and won seven conference road games. However, UAH left many points on the table, particularly at home, where the Chargers were 2-10-2.

UAH also had trouble against Bowling Green, which posted back-to-back shutouts behind their star junior goaltender Chris Nell, who made 38 saves Saturday. The Chargers were shut out for the sixth time this season.

Bowling Green scored first with 11:11 left in the first period. UAH goaltender Jordan Uhelski made a couple of quick saves on a Falcon rush, but Tyler Spezia took a rebound, went behind the net and had an open wrap-around goal.

UAH had a whopping five power plays (of varying lengths) in the first period alone, thanks to five minor penalties against BGSU. The Chargers could not do much with them though: BG’s defense clamped down, and two power plays were killed by UAH penalties.

On one power play, a pass was intercepted by Sean Walker in the Falcon zone, and he took it near the length of the ice on a 2-on-1 break. His shot beat Uhelski high just after the UAH power play ended to give Bowling Green a 2-0 lead with 6:35 left in the first.

No scoring in the second period, but more penalties. UAH had two more power plays, one again killed by a penalty of their own, while Bowling Green finally got their first advantages of the night.

The same continued in the third period, making for a slow game lacking any real flow. The teams combined for 20 minor penalties.

UAH’s power play was stymied all series, going 0-for-11 Saturday and 0-for-18 for the series.

Shots were even at 38. Uhelski finished with 36 saves on the night.

UAH falls hard at Bowling Green

The Chargers’ playoff chances took a hit after an ugly 7-0 loss at Bowling Green on Friday night to start the regular season’s final series.

Fortunately for UAH (9-21-3 overall, 9-15-3 WCHA), Northern Michigan lost to Michigan Tech 3-2, keeping UAH one point behind NMU for the eighth and final playoff spot. But it means the Chargers must figure out how to solve the Falcons (16-17-2 overall, 13-13-1 WCHA), who have outscored UAH 19-4 in three games this season, or they are staying home for the playoffs for the second straight year.

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The game was marred by 85 total penalty minutes on both sides. But Bowling Green was able to slam the Chargers with four power play goals on 11 opportunities. UAH was 0-for-7 with the advantage.

UAH also couldn’t contain Kevin Dufour, who seems to always have the Chargers’ number. Dufour had a hat trick, and he got the Falcons started with two goals in the first period.

At 10:23, right off the faceoff, Dufour broke away and beat UAH goaltender Carmine Guerriero as the Falcons drew first blood.

About five minutes later, Dufour took the puck from the far wall, around in front of the Charger net, and scored on a backhander for a 2-0 BGSU lead.

Bowling Green extended its lead to 3-0 on the power play early in the second period after a high sticking penalty on Cody Champagne. Mitch McLain deflected a Mark Friedman shot past Guerriero at the 4:06 mark.

UAH’s best opportunity to get back into the game was after back-to-back penalties by the Falcons. Lukas Craggs made contact to the head on Hans Gorowksy, earning him a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

After 2:24 of the ensuing major power play, Mark Friedman cross-checked Josh Kestner, giving the Chargers a full two minutes of 5-on-3.

However, the Falcons would survive, as UAH had trouble getting set and Chris Nell making important saves to the delight of a relatively small but vocal crowd at the Slater Family Ice Arena.

The third period started with more penalties on UAH that made it difficult to get any rally going. Further, Adam Smith scored on the power play at the 5:14 to make it 4-0.

Then Dufour completed the hat trick with 13:06 remaining for a 5-0 Falcon lead. That too was on the power play.

The rest of the game was featured more penalties on both sides as several scuffles broke out. Both BGSU’s Tyler Spezia and UAH’s Brennan Saulnier each had 10-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

Reminiscent of the Nov. 19 game in Huntsville, the Falcons added two late garbage goals by Frederic LeTourneau and Alec Rauhauser for the final 7-0 score.

Guerriero made 35 saves, but he was tagged with all seven goals. Nell stopped all 33 shots he faced for the shutout.

The Falcons were tied for fourth place with Ferris State in the WCHA standings coming in, looking for home ice in the first round of the conference playoffs.

The regular season finale is Saturday at 6:07 p.m. Central Time.

Notes: Brent Fletcher played his 138th game at UAH, setting a new program record. … UAH defenseman Kurt Gosselin was back in the lineup after missing three games for concussion-like symptoms.