Where: Compton Family Ice Arena, Notre Dame, Ind.
When: Friday, 6:35 p.m.; Saturday, 6:05 p.m. (CDT)
Watch: NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app, NBC Sports Chicago+
Charger update: UAH begins its 39th hockey season (33rd as varsity) looking to improve its record for a fourth straight year and get back into the WCHA playoffs. This series at Notre Dame will be the first of four road trips to start the season.
Huntsville senior Josh Kestner returns as UAH’s leading scorer from last year (9 goals-13 assists-22 points), and he’s expected to be the go-to guy to spark the Chargers’ offense, especially with Max McHugh (8-11-19) out with an injury for the time being.
Head coach Mike Corbett says the Chargers will be relying on an improved defensive corps, led by Kurt Gosselin (9-9-18), Cam Knight (3-16-19), and Brandon Parker (6-9-15). Jordan Uhelski is expected to be the starter in net (2.78 goals against average, .906 save percentage).
Friday will be UAH’s 1,000th varsity game.
About the Fighting Irish: Notre Dame reached the Frozen Four last spring, falling to eventual national champion Denver. The Irish compiled a 23-12-5 overall record and a 12-6-4 record in its final season in Hockey East, reaching the tournament’s semifinals.
Now Notre Dame is in the Big Ten as an affiliate member for hockey only. The Irish were picked to finish second in their now seven-team league by the Big Ten coaches. Notre Dame is ranked No. 8 in both the USCHO.com and USA Today preseason polls.
Last week, Notre Dame defeated the U.S. NTDP Under-18 team 3-2 in a preseason exhibition.
Players to watch:
Andrew Oglevie (Jr., F, 21 goals-20 assists-41 points in 2016-17)
Jake Evans (Sr., F, 13-29-42 in 2016-17)
Jordan Gross (Sr., D, 10-22-32 in 2016-17)
Dylan St. Cyr (Fr., G, 2.74 GAA, .896 SV% with U.S. NTDP U-18 team in 2016-17)
Series notes: Notre Dame leads 10-6-0 since UAH became a varsity program in 1985. The last meeting was Jan. 10-11, 2014, at Notre Dame, with the Irish winning 7-1 and 5-0. UAH’s last win was 3-2 on Oct. 9, 2009, when Notre Dame was ranked No. 5. The Irish have won eight of the last nine meetings, including the 2007 NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals, 3-2 in double overtime.
This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.
Friday, Oct. 6
UAH at #8 Notre Dame, 6:35 p.m.
#16 Union vs. Michigan Tech, 4:07 p.m. (Ice Breaker at Duluth, Minn.)
Ferris State at #20 Western Michigan, 6:05 p.m.
Northern Michigan at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
#7 North Dakota at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
#17 Air Force at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
USA Under-18 Team at Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m. (exhibition)
Saturday, Oct. 7
UAH at #8 Notre Dame, 6:05 p.m.
#3 Minnesota/#6 Minn Duluth vs. Michigan Tech, 4:07/7:37 p.m. (Ice Breaker at Duluth, Minn.)
#20 Western Michigan at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
#9 St. Cloud State at #18 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
#7 North Dakota at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
#17 Air Force at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.