Category Archives: 2016-17

Preview: Stretch run begins with UAH hosting Minnesota State

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CATCHING THE GAMES
Friday, Jan. 6, 7:07 p.m.
First 500 get UAH team photos
Saturday, Jan. 7, 7:07 p.m.
First 500 get UAH trading cards
Kids 12-under get in free to both games
Season stats: UAH | Minnesota State

The Chargers, tied for fourth in the WCHA standings, hosts the team they are tied with, No. 19 Minnesota State, to kick off the run to the WCHA playoffs.

All-time series: Minnesota State leads the all-time series 27-19-7. UAH is 13-10-3 against the Mavericks in Huntsville — including a pair of ties at the VBC last season. However, UAH has not beaten MSU in the last 20 meetings going back to 2002.

Charger recap: UAH (7-13-2 overall, 7-7-2 WCHA) lost two games in overtime at the Mariucci Classic in Minnesota last week. The Chargers lost 2-1 against Massachusetts, and gave up a two-goal, third-period lead in a 3-2 lost to Mercyhurst.

Cam Knight (Photo by UAH Athletics)

Cam Knight (Photo by UAH Athletics)

UAH outshot its opponents 73-44 in the tournament. Jordan Uhelski made 17 saves against UMass, and Carmine Guerriero had 22 against Mercyhurst. Uhelski now sports a .907 save percentage and 2.67 goals against average.

Max McHugh scored the goal against UMass, his seventh of the season tying him for the team lead with defenseman Kurt Gosselin. McHugh now has 15 points on the season.

Brandon Parker notched his sixth goal (fifth in seven games) as UAH defensemen led the WCHA in scoring in December with 2.50 points per game. Last month, Parker had five points (4g-1a), Cam Knight five (1g-4a), and Gosselin three (3g-0a).

Josh Kestner leads the Chargers with 17 points, adding his 11th assist against Massachusetts. He is tied for 6th in the WCHA in total points.

UAH Tale of the tape
(WCHA games only)		 Minnesota State
7-13-2 Overall record 11-7-2
7-7-2-0
(23 pts, T4th)		 WCHA record 7-5-2-0
(23 pts, T4th)
2.75 (T5th) Goals/game 3.07 (2nd)
3.31 (8th) Goals allowed/game 2.43 (4th)
11.4 (9th) Pen. minutes/game 14.1 (7th)
16.0% (6th) Power play 17.2% (5th)
79.7% (9th) Penalty kill 84.7% (5th)

About the Mavericks: Minnesota State (11-7-2 overall, 7-5-2 WCHA) has not played since Dec. 16-17, when the Mavericks split a non-conference road series at Princeton. After starting 5-0, the Mavericks have not put together back-to-back wins. They are ranked 19th in the latest USCHO.com poll.

Freshman sensation Marc Michaelis of Mannheim, Germany is the WCHA’s overall scoring leader with 26 points on 10 goals and 16 assists. He has 12 points in his last six games, which earned him WCHA and national rookie of the month honors.

Michaelis is the left wing on the Mavericks’ top line with juniors Brad McClure and C.J. Franklin (Winnipeg Jets prospect), who have 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists) and 17 points (7 goals, 10 assists), respectively.

Goaltending has been split by senior Cole Huggins (.899 save percentage, 2.41 goals against average) and sophomore Jason Pawloski (.909, 2.49). Huggins, who has two WCHA goaltending titles, has started four of the last five games for the Mavs.

Nashville Predators prospect Zach Stepan has two assists in 15 games this season.

Shane Frederick, Mankato Free Press: Mavericks will need seniors over season’s second half

Around the WCHA: All times Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.

Thursday, January 5
* #17 Bemidji State at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.

Friday, January 6
* #19 Minnesota State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* #17 Bemidji State at Bowling Green, 7:37 p.m.
* Ferris State at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Michigan Tech at #12 Notre Dame, 6:05 p.m.

Saturday, January 7
* #19 Minnesota State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Michigan Tech at #12 Notre Dame, 6:05 p.m.

Hoof Beats: Chargers look to get over salty home cooking

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Twelve games to go. Six at home, six on the road.

The Chargers enter the final third of the regular season tied for fourth place in the WCHA standings. They have 23 points along with their opponent this weekend at the Von Braun Center, 19th-ranked Minnesota State.

UAH is in good position to return to the WCHA playoffs for the second time in its four-year history in the league. The Chargers’ playoff position — and possibly a chance to host a first-round series — may hinge on how well they can defend home ice. That’s been difficult this season: UAH is 1-6-1 in Propst Arena.

Particularly frustrating: In four of those losses and the tie, the Chargers held a lead.

It won’t get easier for the last three home series of the season. In addition to this weekend’s series with the Mavericks, UAH hosts the top two teams in the standings: Bemidji State and Michigan Tech.

The road has been kinder to the Chargers, who are 6-1-1 in WCHA road games this season and currently have a four-game road winning streak. They travel to Lake Superior (currently 8th in the standings), Alaska (7th), and Bowling Green (3rd).

Remember this? Minnesota State’s last visit to Huntsville last February brought a couple of memorable moments. The Chargers managed two ties against the Mavericks, who were atop the WCHA standings at the time.

In the first game, UAH took a 3-2 lead on the strategic “let the opponent put the puck into their own empty net during a delayed penalty” play:

The Mavericks would tie the game in the third period for a 3-3 draw. The next night, despite being outshot 50-20, UAH forced a 1-1 tie in an exciting and more conventional fashion:

Newcomers: UAH received verbal commitments from three junior players over the holiday break.

Needing goaltending depth next season, the Chargers are expected to have Mark Sinclair of Hamilton, Ontario. Sinclair will be coming from the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League, where in 29 starts has a 2.65 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.

Forward Andrew Dodson of Milton, Ontario is also committed to UAH for next season. The right wing has played the last four seasons with the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL. Dodson is the Canadians’ captain and leads the team with 48 points (14 goals, 34 assists) this season, tied for fourth in the league. He’ll reunite with UAH forward Jordan Larson, who played for Carleton Place from 2014-16.

Peyton Francis is expected to join the Chargers in 2019. A forward from Oakville, Ont., the 17-year-old Francis plays for the Ottawa West Golden Knights of CCHL2, where he had 25 points in 28 games.

Promotions: The first 500 fans at Friday’s game against Minnesota State will receive a UAH hockey team photo, courtesy of SportsMed. On Saturday, the first 500 fans getting the next set of UAH hockey trading cards. Puck drop for both nights is at 7 p.m.

The Blue Line Club luncheon will be Friday at noon in the Varsity Room of Spragins Hall. Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings will be the guest speaker, and he and UAH coach Mike Corbett will discuss this weekend’s series. Lawlers Barbecue will be catering.

UAH loses lead to Mercyhurst, falls again in OT

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UAH blew a two-goal lead in the third period and lost to Mercyhurst 3-2 in overtime Saturday in the third-place game of the Mariucci Classic in Minnesota.

UAH (7-13-2) had a season-high in shots on goal with 43 and had allowed the Lakers only nine through the first two periods. The Chargers leave Minneapolis with two overtime losses after falling to Massachusetts 2-1 on Friday.

BOX SCORE

Mercyhurst (8-10-1) relied on goaltender Colin DeAugustine to stay in the game, finishing with 41 saves.

The first period was all Chargers, who scored twice and dominated puck possession, limiting Mercyhurst to just three shots on goal.

Matt Salhany tallied his fourth goal of the season from the right circle. His wrister beat Mercyhurst goaltender Colin DeAugustine on the far side at 4:26, assisted by Hans Gorowsky and Madison Dunn.

With 3:01 left in the first, UAH made it 2-0 with another goal from a defenseman from just inside the blue line. Brandon Parker’s blast deflected off two Laker defensemen, and DeAugustine never appeared to see it go to the back of the net.

It was Parker’s sixth goal of the season, helped again by Dunn and Gorowsky.

UAH continued to hold the edge in the second period, despite not finding the net and play getting more physical. After one penalty was called in the first period, six were called in the second.

The Chargers had to withstand 1:28 of two-man advantage for the Lakers late in the frame, but managed to escape unscathed and even managed a 2-on-1 shorthanded opportunity. DeAugustine was there to stop a shot by Kurt Gosselin on the play.

In the third, it only took one goal to get the Lakers going. Jack Riley found an open net after collecting a big rebound to beat UAH goalie Carmine Guerriero and cut the Chargers lead to 2-1 at the 5:16 mark.

The Lakers found new life after that, and with 9:47 to go, after a Brent Fletcher interference call gave Mercyhurst the power play, Nathan Ferriero tied the game at 2-2.

With 7:37 left, Mercyhurst nearly took the lead when a shot by Joseph Duszak bounced off Guerriero, who knocked it way just before it fully crossed the goal line. Video replay confirmed the no goal.

Each team had 15 shots on goal in the third period, but DeAugustine posted the clean sheet.

In overtime, DeAugustine robbed with a glove save on UAH’s Tyler Poulsen, who had a good look in the slot.

With 2:14 remaining in overtime, with the only shot the Lakers would need, Matthew Whittaker beat Guerriero for the 3-2 win.

Guerriero, who was seeing his first action since Nov. 19, finished with 22 saves.

UAH finishes non-conference play 0-6-0.

The Chargers return home next weekend to host Minnesota State, resuming WCHA play. Puck drop Friday and Saturday is 7:07 p.m. at the Von Braun Center.

UMass bites UAH in OT to win Mariucci opener

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UAH lost to Massachusetts in overtime on Friday, a 2-1 decision in the opening game of the Mariucci Classic in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Chargers (7-12-2) will face Mercyhurst, which lost to 11-ranked host Minnesota 5-1, in the third-place game. The game is Saturday at 4 p.m. and can be seen online on BTN Plus.

BOX SCORE

The Minutemen (5-12-2) opened scoring as Jake Horton snapped an attempt from the right point, and it snuck between the left post and Jordan Uhelski’s stick side with 4:32 remaining in the first.

UAH had enough chances to get on the board first, outshooting UMass 10-7 in the first period. The Chargers had a power play, but committed two offsides before getting anything on it until late.

The Chargers, who continued to have good looks throughout the second period, tied the game at 3:35. Max McHugh was able to get a stick on a deflected puck in front of the UMass net, scoring his seventh goal of the season. He was assisted by Josh Kestner and Jordan Larson.

UAH could not convert on two big power play opportunities in the latter half of the third period, given thanks to penalties on Griff Jeszka.

The first power play with 7:50 left was mostly in the UMass end until Ray Pigozzi got a shorthanded breakaway, which was saved by Uhelski. Josh Kestner’s slashing penalty on the play killed the rest of the advantage.

Jeszka’s hooking call with 2:12 gave the Chargers one last chance in regulation, but the Minutemen killed it off and forced overtime.

In the extra frame, Jeszka redeemed himself after the penalties with the game-winning goal with 2:50 to go.

UAH outshot UMass 30-19. Uhelski made 17 saves, while Wischow had 29.

UAH finishing off ’16 at Mariucci Classic

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CATCHING THE GAMES
Friday, Dec. 30, 4 p.m.
UAH vs. Massachusetts
Watch: BTN Plus (subscription)
Saturday, Dec. 31, 4 or 7 p.m.
UAH vs. Mercyhurst or Minnesota
If UAH vs. Mercyhurst: TBD
If UAH vs. Minnesota:
TV: FSN North+, FCS Central
Online: Fox Sports Go, BTN2Go

The Chargers return from their holiday break with their last non-conference games of the season at the Mariucci Classic in Minneapolis, hosted by the University of Minnesota.

UAH will play Massachusetts in the first game on Friday at 4 p.m. The second game between Mercyhurst and Minnesota is at 7 p.m. The losers play in the third-place game Saturday at 4, with the championship game at 7.

This is UAH’s third appearance in the tournament. In 2006, the Chargers finished in third place, losing to Minnesota and beating Massachusetts, and in 2012, UAH finished fourth after losing to then-No. 1 Boston College and Air Force.

Charger recap: UAH (7-11-2 overall, 7-7-2 WCHA) earned its third road sweep of the season on Dec. 9-10, taking 4-1 and 3-1 decisions at Northern Michigan. The Chargers have tied a program record with four straight road victories.

Brandon Parker had a goal in each game, plus an assist, as he earned the WCHA Defensive Player of Week award. Parker has scored in four of his last five games.

Josh Kestner also had two goals and an assist in the series, moving up to 16 points on the season to lead the team and tie him for 8th in the WCHA.

The Chargers are 5-1-1 in Jordan Uhelski's last seven starts. (Photo by UAH Athletics)

The Chargers are 5-1-1 in Jordan Uhelski’s last seven starts. (Photo by UAH Athletics)

Goaltender Jordan Uhelski posted another two solid starts, allowing just the goal in each game and making 47 saves. The junior’s save percentage went up to .908 and his goals against average went down to 2.73. His 2.28 GAA and .917 save percentage in WCHA games are both fourth-best in the league.

The Chargers are tied for fourth place in the WCHA standings with Minnesota State with 23 points. They have already matched their most WCHA wins in a season with seven.

About the Minutemen: Massachusetts (4-12-2 overall, 2-7-1 Hockey East) has lost five games in a row, currently sitting in eighth place in Hockey East. The Minutemen’s last action was two weeks ago against Arizona State, which swept UMass by two 4-1 scores. UMass did get a 5-4 win over then-No. 12 Notre Dame on Dec. 12 before its current losing streak.

UMass relies on a number of underclassmen — 15 of its 40 goals this season have come from freshmen. Sophomore Austin Pleavy leads the squad with five goals and 12 points, while another sophomore (Kurt Keats) and two freshmen (Griff Jeszka and Jonny Lazarus) each have four goals. Senior captain Steve Iacobellis also has four goals, with three coming in the last six games. Freshman Ryan Wischow has been the Minutemen’s primary goaltender, starting 14 of the team’s 18 games (.904 SV%, 2.82 GAA).

In 2006, the Chargers beat Massachusetts 5-2 in the third-place game of the Mariucci Classic, which is the only time UAH and UMass have previously met. That game was on Dec. 30, 2006, ten years to the day of Friday’s matchup.

About the Lakers: Mercyhurst (7-9-1 overall, 7-6-1 Atlantic Hockey), which plays host Minnesota in the semifinals, comes into the tournament on a 3-1-1 stretch in its last five games. The Lakers took three of four points in a home-and-home with Robert Morris two weekends ago, moving into fourth place in Atlantic Hockey.

Junior left wing Jonathan Charbonneau has been the force for the Lakers, scoring 10 goals on the season in 16 games. His centerman, sophomore Derek Barach, has 16 assists for a total of 19 points to lead the club. Defenseman Lester Lancaster has also been dishing out assists with 12. Goaltending duties have been split between junior Brandon Wildung (.896 SV%, 3.64 GAA) and freshman Colin DeAugustine (.921, 2.73).

UAH is 4-6-3 all-time against Mercyhurst, including a 1-4-2 record in the modern Division I era (3-2-1 when both clubs were in Division II). The Lakers have won the last four meetings, having swept series in 2010 and 2011.

About the Golden Gophers: Minnesota (9-5-2 overall, 3-1-0 Big Ten) is ranked No. 11 in the last USCHO.com poll. The Gophers have taken the early lead in the Big Ten and have won four of their last five, including a victory at then-No. 4 Boston College and a split with No. 10 Ohio State.

Sophomore Tyler Sheehy leads the Gophers with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points. A pair of seniors, Justin Kloos and Vinni Lettieri, have each chipped in seven goals. Minnesota has 12 NHL prospects, including Nashville Predator draftees Rem Pitlick (3rd round, 2016) and Tommy Novack (2nd round, 2015). Eric Schierhorn is the primary goaltender (.882 SV%, 2.93 GAA in 16 starts).

UAH is 0-4-0 against Minnesota, all games in Minneapolis. The last matchup was in the 2006 Mariucci Classic, with the Gophers winning 3-1 in the opening game.

Around the WCHA: All times Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.

Wednesday, Dec. 28
Northern Michigan vs. Cornell, 3 p.m. (Florida College Classic, Estero, Fla.)

Thursday, Dec. 29
Michigan vs. Michigan Tech, 2:30 p.m. (Great Lakes Invitational, Detroit)
Colorado College/Merrimack vs. Northern Michigan, 3 or 6:30 p.m. (Florida College Classic, Estero, Fla.)
Ferris State vs. Robert Morris, 6:30 p.m. (Three Rivers Classic, Pittsburgh)

Friday, Dec. 30
UAH vs. Massachusetts, 4 p.m. (Mariucci Classic, Minneapolis)
#15 Bemidji State at Alaska Anchorage, 4:37 p.m.
#16 Western Michigan/Michigan State vs. Michigan Tech, 2:30 or 6 p.m. (Great Lakes Invitational, Detroit)
#6 Boston College/#14 Quinnipiac vs. Ferris State, 3:30 or 6:30 p.m. (Three Rivers Classic, Pittsburgh)
RIT at Bowling Green, 4:07 p.m. (Toledo, Ohio)
Lake Superior State at #20 Omaha, 7:07 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31
UAH vs. Mercyhurst/#11 Minnesota, 4 or 7 p.m. (Mariucci Classic, Minneapolis)
#15 Bemidji State at Alaska Anchorage, 4:37 p.m.
Alaska at #12 Notre Dame, 3:05 p.m.
Lake Superior State at #20 Omaga, 4:07 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 1
Alaska at #12 Notre Dame, 1:05 p.m.

Parker named WCHA player of the week

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Brandon Parker (UAH Athletics)

Brandon Parker (UAH Athletics)

After scoring two goals to lead the Chargers of a road sweep at Northern Michigan, Brandon Parker was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

On Friday, Parker scored from just inside the blue line in what would be the game-winning goal in UAH’s 4-1 victory. On Saturday, he put the finishing touches on a 3-1 win with the final goal with 4:07 left in the contest.

Parker added an assist on Friday for a three-point weekend. He has scored goals in three straight games and in four of the last five. The Faribault, Minnesota native was +3 on the weekend and blocked two shots.

It is the fourth time this season a Charger has earned the WCHA Defensive Player Award. Kurt Gosselin won it last week for the second time, and Matt Larose won the first award of the season.

UAH next plays in the first round of the Mariucci Classic at Minnesota against Massachusetts on Dec. 30. The Chargers return home Jan. 6-7 against Minnesota State.

Chargers sweep NMU with 3-1 win; ties road win streak

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The Chargers won their fourth straight road game, tying a program record, with a 3-1 victory Saturday night over Northern Michigan in Marquette, Michigan.

UAH (7-11-2 overall, 7-7-2 WCHA) matched the road winning streak set in the 2004-05 season. It was the Chargers’ third road sweep of the season, and UAH is 6-1-1 in road WCHA games.

UAH has matched its highest WCHA win total with 12 conference games to go. With 23 points, UAH is tied with Bowling Green for third place in the WCHA standings.

BOX SCORE

Northern Michigan (4-14-2 overall, 2-11-1 WCHA) is still searching for its first home win of the season.

There was no score in a brief 26-minute first period. The Chargers had one power play opportunity on a questionable tripping call when Kurt Gosselin lost an edge and fell around NMU’s Luke Voltin.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU_8WI-sGfU[/embedyt]

 

While UAH didn’t convert, the Chargers did provide the pressure early, but the Wildcats asserted themselves more as the first period went on. NMU outshot UAH 7-6 in the period.

The second period took a bit longer with more penalties and more goals.

It started with a five-minute major for NMU’s Philip Beaulieu for contact to Hans Gorowsky’s head. Beaulieu was also given a game misconduct at 3:37.

UAH used the power play to take the first lead on a nice passing play. Jordan Larson from behind the net sent the puck to Brennan Saulnier in the right circle, and he found Regan Soquila in the slot, who beat Atte Tolvanen for his first goal of the season at 4:44.

Another odd call on UAH’s Brennan Saulnier for slashing — given despite NMU’s Dominik Shine just falling — killed two minutes of the major power play.

But the Chargers extended their lead to 2-0 during the resulting 4-on-4. Josh Kestner tallied his sixth goal of the season, assisted by Tyler Poulsen and Cody Champagne, just 1:26 after Soquila’s goal.

The Wildcats cut the lead to 2-1 on a goal by Troy Loggins with 5:19 left in the second. He had Brock Maschmeyer on a 2-on-1, and after Champagne went down to block, Loggins fired the puck past Jordan Uhelski’s right side.

That was the only goal Uhelski would allow, as he was on point with every close call the Wildcats would put on. He had 23 saves in the game, and stopped 47 of 49 shots on the weekend.

UAH put the game away with 4:07 left in the game when Brandon Parker’s blast from the right circle for the final 3-1 score. It was Parker’s fifth goal of the season and fourth in his last five game. Cam Knight and Kestner each got their 10th assists of the season.

The goal came after an NMU holding penalty, the Chargers’ second power play goal of the night.

Northern Michigan outshot UAH 24-21 in the contest.

The Chargers are off the next two weekends for the holiday break. They face Massachusetts in the opener at the Mariucci Classic at Minnesota on Dec. 30.

UAH wins 3rd straight road game, beats NMU 4-1

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The Chargers’ home record may need some work, but their road record is shoring up nicely.

UAH defeated Northern Michigan in Marquette by a 4-1 score Friday night, improving its WCHA road record to 5-1-1 on the season.

The Chargers (6-11-2 overall, 6-7-2 WCHA) have won three straight away contests for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

BOX SCORE

It was UAH’s first ever win at Northern Michigan (4-13-2 overall, 2-10-1 WCHA), which has yet to win at home this season (0-7-1).

The Wildcats had a good start, though, thanks to noted thorn-in-UAH’s-side Dominik Shine. Shine picked the puck off of Brandon Parker near the UAH blue line, skated in alone on Jordan Uhelski and beat him five-hole at 9:32. It was Shine’s eighth career goal and 14th point against UAH in 13 games.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wy-gPPwgMI[/embedyt]

 

UAH tied the game at 14:27 when Cody Marooney backhanded a loose puck in the crease just between the post and NMU goalie Atte Tolvanen. Marooney’s first goal of the season was assisted by Regan Soquila and Brent Fletcher.

The Chargers took a 2-1 lead with seven seconds left in the first when, as a UAH power play expired, Brandon Parker unleashed a blast from the point. Hans Gorowsky and Josh Kestner got the assists.

UAH extended its lead with two goals in the second period.

With 7:11 remaining, off the face off in the NMU zone, Max McHugh scored his sixth goal of the season — snapping a 10-game goal-less streak — for a 3-1 Charger lead. John Teets had the assist.

Then with 4:50 to go in the frame, Josh Kestner slid the puck past Tolvanen from the left circle to make it 4-1 UAH. Tyler Poulsen had the primary assist with his pass from the boards, and Parker got the other helper.

It was a busy period all around for Tolvanen as UAH outshot 17-7. Tolvanen had 29 saves on the night.

NMU had some chances to close the gap in the third period, including an extended power play situation thanks to overlapping penalties by Matt Salhany and Richard Buri, but came up empty handed. UAH killed all five of NMU’s power play opportunities.

Uhelski finished with 24 saves. UAH was 0-for-6 with the power play.

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

Gosselin named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

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Kurt Gosselin (Photo by UAH Athletics)

Kurt Gosselin (Photo by UAH Athletics)

UAH sophomore defenseman Kurt Gosselin was named the WCHA’s Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for his performance against Ferris State.

Gosselin scored a hat trick in Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Bulldogs at the Von Braun Center. It was UAH’s first hat trick since 1998 and the first hat trick by a UAH defenseman since 1999.

Gosselin was +2 for the weekend and blocked one shot. He leads the Chargers and all WCHA defenseman with seven goals this season, and is tied for the UAH lead with 13 points.

It’s Gosselin’s second WCHA Defensive Player of the Week award this season, the first coming in November for his two-goal performance against Alaska Anchorage.

UAH’s next action is Friday and Saturday at Northern Michigan.

Ferris State clamps down on UAH, 3-1

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The Bulldogs were apparently very tired of losing to the Chargers.

After losing the first three games of the season series, Ferris State staked a lead early and never let UAH get in the game, winning 3-1 on Sunday.

BOX SCORE

UAH (5-11-2 overall, 5-7-2 WCHA), which win Saturday’s game 5-3, managed only 17 shots on goal.

Ferris State (6-10-1, 5-6-1-1) climbed back into a tie with UAH for fifth place in the WCHA standings, and it didn’t take long at all to get on the board.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG98xK9emMU[/embedyt]

Just 34 seconds in, Jared VanWormer scored right in front of the UAH net from a centering pass from Gerald Mayhew.

Ferris State continued to keep the Chargers off balance, and increased its lead to 2-0 as Taylor Fernandez beat UAH goaltender Jordan Uhelski from the slot at the 10:14 mark of the first.

The Chargers finally started to get some offensive pressure in the final five minutes of the first period with the help of three straight penalties by the Bulldogs. Despite also having 1:24 of two-man advantage, UAH was kept off the board as Darren Smith made five saves in the stretch.

Penalties early in the second period prevented the Chargers from getting many offensive chances, but UAH finally got on the board on a power play.

After a Nate Kallen tripping call, Brandon Parker blasted a goal from the right point to cut FSU’s lead to 2-1 with 9:41 left in the second. His third goal of the season was assisted by Cam Knight and Max McHugh.

The third period belonged to Ferris State. Josh Kestner committed a tripping penalty at the end of the second period, and in the resulting power play to begin the third, Mitch Maloney increased FSU’s lead to 3-1 at 1:43.

The Bulldogs would not allow much from the Chargers the rest of the way, outshooting UAH 12-4 for a 33-17 total. Not helping matters for the Chargers were three more penalties in the third period.

Uhelski made the most of the situation, making numerous saves and cover-ups to keep UAH in the game. He finished with 30 saves.

FSU goaltender Darren Smith made 16 saves.

The Chargers’ next action is Friday and Saturday at Northern Michigan for the last WCHA series before the holiday break. UAH returns home Jan. 6 and 7 against Minnesota State.