Preview: UAH at Alaska, Feb. 3-4

CATCHING THE GAMES
Friday, Feb. 3, 10:07 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4, 10:07 p.m.
Season stats: UAH | Alaska

The Chargers look to improve their playoff position all the way in Fairbanks, Alaska, where they’ll face Alaska. Puck drop against the Nanooks is at 10:07 p.m. Central (7:07 Alaska) Friday and Saturday nights.

UAH is in eighth place in the WCHA standings, the last playoff spot. Alaska is in seventh, just three points ahead of the Chargers.

All-time series: UAH is 7-20-2 against Alaska, with a 3-11-0 record in Fairbanks. The Chargers have not been in Fairbanks since December 12-13, 2014, losing twice.

The teams met in Huntsville back in November. In the first game, UAH scored twice in the first 2:24 and mounted a 3-0 lead, but Alaska rallied for a 3-3 tie and the second WCHA point in the 3-on-3 overtime. The Nanooks won the second game 3-1 to take five of six points in the series.

Kurt Gosselin had 3 points in UAH’s 4-4 tie against Michigan Tech last Saturday. (UAH Athletics)

Charger recap: UAH (7-18-3 overall, 7-12-3 WCHA) finally ended its losing streak at seven games with a 4-4 tie Saturday against Michigan Tech, which took the second WCHA point in a 9-round shootout. But the Chargers still haven’t won since Dec. 10. Tech won the first game of the series 5-2 last Friday.

Sophomore defenseman Kurt Gosselin took the team lead in goals on Saturday with his ninth of the season, and he added two assists to give him 18 points on the season. He only trails Josh Kestner, who has 21 points after notching his 13th assist last Friday. Kestner is 10th in the WCHA in points and assists.

Max McHugh has 17 points on eight goals and nine assists. He and fellow junior Brandon Parker, who had three assists against the Huskies last weekend, are expected to play their 100th career games as Chargers in Fairbanks.

Jordan Uhelski made 31 saves in the 4-4 tie on Saturday in his 15th start and 18th game of the season. Matt Larose played last Friday for his first action since October, and he and fellow senior Carmine Guerriero have each played in seven games this season.

UAH Tale of the tape
(WCHA games only)
Alaska
7-18-3 Overall record 8-15-3
7-12-3-0
(24 pts, 8th)
WCHA record 7-10-3-3
(27 pts, 7th)
2.59 (6th) Goals/game 2.50 (8th)
3.50 (10th) Goals allowed/game 3.30 (9th)
15.1 (6th) Pen. minutes/game 17.9 (2nd)
15.0% (5th) Power play 15.8% (4th)
77.3% (10th) Penalty kill 82.9% (8th)

About the Nanooks: Alaska (8-15-3 overall, 7-10-3 WCHA) is just ahead of UAH in the WCHA standings, separated by just three points. The Nanooks were off last week after splitting a series at Bowling Green. They are 2-1-1 in their last four, all on the road.

Senior right wing Marcus Basara has eight goals and 18 points to lead the Nanooks in both categories. He had a goal and an assist in the 3-3 tie in Huntsville.

Sophomore Chad Staley had the game-winning goal against the Chargers in Alaska’s win, and is second with 15 points.  Junior defenseman Zach Frye also has 15 points, with 11 assists — two of them against UAH from earlier this season — to lead the club.

Goaltending duties have been split with sophomore Jesse Jenks (3.35 goals against average, .890 save percentage) and senior David Jones (3.17, .904). Jones has started UAF’s last four games, stopping 138 of 146 shots.

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

Friday, February 3
* UAH at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* #20 Michigan Tech at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
* Minnesota State at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.

Saturday, February 4
* UAH at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* #20 Michigan Tech at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
* Minnesota State at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.