Where: Lynah Rink, Ithaca, N.Y.
When: Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 6 p.m. (CDT)
Watch: Ivy League Network
Jordan Uhelski
Charger update: UAH (1-3-0 overall, WCHA 1-1-0) earned a split at Michigan Tech in its first WCHA series of the season last week. After losing 5-4 in game one, the Chargers beat the Huskies for the first time ever by a 4-2 score in the second game.
UAH’s special teams were the story in Houghton. After going 1-for-10 at Notre Dame to start the season, the Charger power play went 4-for-7 at Michigan Tech, boosting its season efficiency to 29.4 percent. The penalty kill, which struggled in the first game, came up big in the victory, keeping MTU off the scoreboard in its eight power plays.
Josh Kestner scored two goals and one assist in the series, giving him five points for the season to lead the team. Kurt Gosselin also had a three-point weekend, helping him get WCHA Defensive Player of the Week along with his six blocked shots. Tyler Poulsen scored his third goal of the season on Friday.
Jordan Uhelski played both games between the pipes and made 74 saves, the most in the NCAA for the week. He lifted his save percentage to .908 on the season to go with his 3.69 goals against average in three starts.
About the Big Red: Cornell was 21-9-5 overall in 2016-17, finishing third in the ECAC with a 13-4-5 league record. The Big Red reached the ECAC championship game (losing to Harvard) and the NCAA Northeast Regional semifinals (losing to UMass Lowell).
Cornell is predicted to finish third again in this season’s ECAC preseason media and coaches’ polls behind Harvard and Quinnipiac.
The Big Red, who have six NHL draft picks, return the core of their offense from last season, led by junior co-captain and All-Ivy League selection Mitch Vanderlaan.
The biggest question for Cornell may be its goaltending, which belonged to the graduated Mitch Gillam for the last three seasons. Hayden Stewart is the Big Red’s lone returning netminder, having only two games played last season (.947 save percentage, 1.35 goals against average).
Players to watch:
Mitch Vanderlaan (Jr., F, 15 goals-13 assists-28 points in 2016-17)
Trevor Yates (Sr., F, 12-10-22 in 2016-17)
Anthony Angello (Jr., F, 12-8-20 in 2016-17)
Yanni Kaldis (So., D, 1-13-14 in 2016-17)
Morgan Barron (Fr., F, 6th-round pick by New York Rangers)
Series notes: Cornell leads the all-time series 3-0-1, with two series played in Ithaca in 2001 and 2010. UAH tied Cornell 2-2 in the last meeting on Dec. 4, 2010.
This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.
Friday, Oct. 27
UAH at Cornell, 6 p.m.
* Alaska at Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m.
* Ferris State at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
* #16 Michigan Tech at #12 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Michigan State, 6:05 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28
UAH at Cornell, 6 p.m.
* Alaska at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
* #16 Michigan Tech at #12 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Michigan State, 6:05 p.m.
* WCHA conference game.