Where: Propst Arena, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala.
When: Friday, 7:07 p.m.; Saturday, 7:07 p.m.
Watch: WCHA.tv
Team stats: UAH | Minnesota State
Jordan Uhelski makes the save against NMU. (Photo by Todd Thompson / RiverCat Photography)
Charger update: UAH (10-18-2 overall, 9-13-2 WCHA) moved back into sixth place in the WCHA standings after a series split with No. 19 Northern Michigan at the VBC last weekend.
The Chargers lost the opener 4-3 on a late goal but rebounded to win the second game 4-2.
Josh Kestner scored three goals against NMU, two in Sunday’s win, to reach 20 for the season, becoming the first Charger in 13 years to do so. He leads the WCHA in goals scored.
Tyler Poulsen also had three goals against the Wildcats, along with an assist. Poulsen has a five-game point-scoring streak, totaling seven points in this stretch.
Jordan Uhelski made 31 saves on Saturday and 34 on Sunday. He has made 30-plus saves in four straight games. His .918 save percentage in conference play is second in the WCHA, and his .913 save percentage overall is first.
UAH can clinch a WCHA playoff spot with four points or if Lake Superior gives four points in the last four games.
Players to watch:
Josh Kestner (Sr., F, 20 goals-6 assists-26 points in 30 games played)
Tyler Poulsen (Jr., F, 9-14-23 in 28 GP)
Christian Rajic (Fr., F, 8-6-14 in 28 GP)
Kurt Gosselin (Jr., D, 4-10-14 in 30 GP)
Jordan Uhelski (Sr., G, 2.81 goals against average, .913 save percentage in 25 starts)
About the Mavericks: Minnesota State (21-7-0 overall, 17-5-0 WCHA) swept Alaska Anchorage at home last week to reach the 20-win plateau for the sixth straight season. MSU moved up to fifth in both the USCHO and USA Today polls.
The Mavericks, with home ice in the first round already locked down, sit in second place in the WCHA standings, one point behind Northern Michigan. MSU has two games in hand, however.
MSU hosted UAH back on Dec. 15-16, with the Mavericks handily dispatching the Chargers 5-1 and 3-0. C.J. Seuss scored four goals as the Mavericks outshot UAH 73-31 in the series.
The Mavericks sport five of the WCHA’s top eight scorers in conference play. Seuss leads the club in goals, Zeb Knutson leads in assists, and Jake Jaremko is likely running away with this season’s WCHA Rookie of the Year award. They lead an offense that is tops in the league by over a goal per game ahead of second-place Bowling Green and Northern Michigan.
Connor LaCouvee leads the league in overall goals against average and is just behind Uhelski in save percentage. Junior Jason Pawloski has made 11 starts between the pipes with a 2.56 goals against and two shutouts.
Defenseman Daniel Brickley is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He was hurt last Saturday against Alaska Anchorage.
Players to watch:
Zeb Knutson (Sr., F, 13-20-33 in 28 GP)
C.J. Seuss (Sr., F, 15-17-32 in 28 GP, Winnipeg Jets prospect)
Jake Jaremko (Fr., F, 10-19-29 in 29 GP)
Daniel Brickley (Jr., D, 7-19-26 in 28 GP)
Connor LaCouvee (Sr., G, 1.81 GAA, .913 SV%, 3 SHO in 17 starts)
 |
Tale of the tape (per game averages) |
 |
| 10-18-2 | Overall record | 21-7-0 |
| 9-13-2 | WCHA record | 17-5-0 |
| 2.62 (7th) | Goals/game | 4.18 (1st) |
| 3.00 (T-6th) | Goals allowed/game | 2.23 (T-1st) |
| 15.9 (3rd) | Penalty minutes | 15.6 (5th) |
| 17.5% (6th) | Power play | 28.6% (1st) |
| 81.7% (6th) | Penalty kill | 84.9% (1st) |
| WCHA rank in parentheses, conference games only | ||
Series notes: Minnesota State leads the overall series 31-19-7. The Mavericks are 20-0-4 in the last 24 meetings against the Chargers, who last won on Jan. 4, 2002. UAH still maintains a 13-12-3 advantage in Huntsville.
Promotions: On Friday, the first 500 fans get a free UAH Hockey trading card set courtesy of Colonial Printing.
On Saturday, the first 500 fans get a free UAH Hockey team photo courtesy of SportsMED Orthopedics.
Free general admission is available to all home games, courtesy of Huntsville International Airport.
This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. Games featuring WCHA teams at home can be seen on WCHA.tv.
Friday, Feb. 9
#5 Minnesota State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
Alaska at #20 Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 10
#5 Minnesota State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at Michigan Tech, 4:07 p.m.
Alaska at #20 Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.