First 500 get UAH stadium cups
Saturday, Jan. 28, 7:07 p.m.
First 500 get UAH trading cards
Kids 12-under get in free to both games
Desperately needing wins, the struggling Chargers return to the VBC on Friday and Saturday night against Michigan Tech.
All-time series: UAH is 0-11-1 against the Huskies, with the one tie coming earlier this season, a 1-1 draw in Houghton on Oct. 15 (following a 7-3 Michigan Tech win the night before). MTU has won all four games in Huntsville.
Charger recap: UAH (7-17-2 overall, 7-11-2 WCHA) has lost six straight games and 10 of its last 13 after being swept at Lake Superior State last week. The Lakers won by scores of 5-4, needing a late third-period goal after the Chargers rallied from three down, and 4-1.
Jost Kestner scored twice on Friday, giving him eight on the season, tying him for the team lead. Kurt Gosselin also netted his eighth goal, joining him with Kestner and Max McHugh.
Kestner’s 12th assist on Friday gives him 20 points. Cam Knight leads the team in helpers with 13.
The Chargers will be without Gosselin, Knight, and Brennan Saulnier for Friday’s game against Michigan Tech. Each was handed game disqualification penalties last Saturday for their actions in fights occurring after the game against Lake Superior.
The Chargers have fallen into eighth place — and the last playoff position — in the WCHA standings, four points ahead of Alaska Anchorage and Northern Michigan.
 |
Tale of the tape (WCHA games only) |
 |
| 7-17-2 | Overall record | 15-9-6 |
| 7-11-2-0 (23 pts, 8th) |
WCHA record | 12-3-5-2 (43 pts, 2nd) |
| 2.55 (6th) | Goals/game | 2.80 (4th) |
| 3.40 (10th) | Goals allowed/game | 1.70 (2nd) |
| 15.3 (6th) | Pen. minutes/game | 16.3 (4th) |
| 14.3% (6th) | Power play | 20.6% (2nd) |
| 77.9% (10th) | Penalty kill | 91.3% (2nd) |
About the Huskies: Michigan Tech (15-9-6 overall, 12-3-5 WCHA) is on a 2-0-3 stretch in its last five, earning a tie (1 point) and a win at Minnesota State last week. The Huskies, who have clinched a spot in the WCHA playoffs, have moved into second place in the league, trailing Bemidji State by nine points.
The Huskies are second in the league in defense, allowing only 1.70 goals per game. A big reason is freshman goaltender Angus Redmond, who has a 1.50 goals against average and .933 save percentage with three shutouts in 22 starts. Redmond was only a backup when UAH visited Michigan Tech back in October, only playing 12:08 of mop-up duty in the Huskies’ 7-3 win.
Tech has a balanced and deep offense, with many options for points. Twelve players have 10 points or more, with Jake Lucchini leading the club with 17. Lucchini also paces the Huskies with nine goals.
Michigan Tech also excels in special teams, scoring on over 20 percent of power plays and killing 91.3 percent of shorthanded situations.
Around the WCHA: All times Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.
Friday, January 27
* Michigan Tech at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Ferris State, 7:37 p.m.
#20 Bemidji State vs. St. Cloud State, 4 p.m. (North Star Cup, St. Paul)
Saturday, January 28
* Michigan Tech at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Bowling Green at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
#20 Bemidji State vs. #2 Minnesota Duluth/#6 Minnesota, 4 or 7 p.m. (North Star Cup, St. Paul)