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