Series Preview: vs. Bowling Green, March 4-5

UAH will finish off the 2015-16 season at the Von Braun Center this weekend against Bowling Green.

On Friday, the first 500 fans receive a free set of UAH Hockey trading cards. On Saturday, the first 500 fans receive a free UAH space capsule, courtesy of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Kids 12 and under get free admission to both games.

Saturday is also Senior Night, as Anderson White, Frank Misuraca, Chad Brears, and Jack Prince will play their final college games.

Matchup history: Bowling Green is 16-3-1 all time against the Chargers, including a 6-2-0 record in Huntsville. The two UAH wins at the VBC came in 2000. Earlier this season, Bowling Green swept the Chargers in Ohio, winning 3-2 in overtime and 4-3.

Charger recap: UAH (6-20-6 overall, 4-16-6 WCHA) went up to Bemidji State last week, looking to keep alive slim WCHA playoff chances.

On Friday, Madison Dunn scored late in the second period, but the Beavers tied the game with 7:34 left in the third. The Chargers had a power play and a penalty shot in overtime but could not find the winning goal as the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

On Saturday, Bemidji State scored three in the first period and took a 4-0 lead in the second, cruising to a 6-2 victory and officially ending UAH’s playoff hopes. Brandon Parker and Dunn scored the UAH goals.

Matt Larose played both games in goal, stopping 36 of 37 shots on Friday, and making 31 saves on Saturday.

LEADING SCORERS: Max McHugh (So., 6-15–21, 32 GP), Chad Brears (Sr., 9-8–17, 28 GP), Brennan Saulnier (So., 6-11–17, 28 GP), Brandon Parker (So., 3-9–12, 32 GP), Jetlan Houcher (Fr., 4-5–9, 25 GP), Matt Salhany (Jr., 3-6–9, 31 GP), Kurt Gosselin (Fr., 2-7–9, 25 GP)

GOALTENDING: Carmine Guerriero (Jr., 3.10 GAA, .904 SV%, 17 GP), Matt Larose (Jr., 2.44 GAA, .926 SV%, 16 GP)

	Tale of the tape (WCHA rank)
6-20-6	Overall record	19-11-6
4-16-6 (10th)	WCHA record	15-6-5 (T-2nd)
2.06 (9th)	Goals/game	2.67 (T-2nd)
3.00 (8th)	Goals allowed/game	2.11 (2nd)
13.3 (3rd)	Pen. minutes/game	9.8 (10th)
10.9% (9th)	Power play	15.2% (4th)
82.6% (7th)	Penalty kill	85.2% (6th)

About the Falcons: Bowling Green  (19-11-6 overall, 15-6-5 WCHA) is playing for a WCHA regular-season championship this weekend. The Falcons enter the final series of the regular season two points behind Minnesota State in the race for the MacNaughton Cup. They are tied with Michigan Tech in second place.

BG has won three straight after losing four of five. Last week, the Falcons swept Ferris State 4-3 and 6-2.

Chris Nell has become the best goaltender in the WCHA in his sophomore season. He leads the conference with a 1.82 goals against average (5th in Division I) and a .933 save percentage (4th in Division I), and was recently named a Mike Richter Award nominee last week for the nation’s best goaltender.

Mark Cooper’s 24 points is tied for 6th in the conference, and his 14 goals are tied for second. Sean Walker and Mark Friedman (Flyers prospect) are tied for 6th in assists with 16. Mitch McLain is on a roll, scoring two goals and two assists against Ferris State to earn WCHA Offensive Player of the Week honors. Kevin Dufour had three goals against Ferris to increase his total to 12 on the season.

LEADING SCORERS: Mark Cooper (Sr., 14-10–24, 36 GP), Matt Pohlkamp (Jr., 7-15–22, 36 GP), Brandon Hawkins (So., 10-10–20, 35 GP), Mark Friedman (So., 4-16–20, 36 GP), Sean Walker (Jr., 3-16–19, 36 GP), Kevin Dufour (Jr., 12-6–18, 34 GP)

GOALTENDING: Chris Nell (So., 1.82 GAA, .933 SV%, 31 GP), Tommy Burke (Sr., 2.88 GAA, .896 SV%, 7 GP)

Around the WCHA: 

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

Friday, March 4
Bowling Green at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
Northern Michigan at #13 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at #16 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, March 5
Bowling Green at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
Northern Michigan at #13 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at #16 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Alaska Anchorage at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.