Where: Cady Arena, Goggin Ice Center, Oxford, Ohio
When: Saturday, 6:05 p.m. CDT; Sunday, 2 p.m. CDT
Watch: NCHC.tv (subscription required*)
* If you are considering ordering NCHC.tv, consider getting the conference monthly pass. That will include UAH’s games at Colorado College and Denver next weekend.
Charger update: UAH begins its 40th season of hockey with a two-game series at its closest Division I opponent, Miami. It is the Chargers’ 34th season as a varsity program, 20th in the modern Division I era, and sixth in the WCHA.
Last season, UAH had its most wins in eight years, finishing 12-18-13. The Chargers had their best season in the WCHA so far, going 10-16-2 to finish in seventh place. They lost in the WCHA quarterfinals to Northern Michigan in three games, earning their first WCHA playoff win in Game 2.
The Chargers will be trying to win their season opener for only the second time in nine years. The first time was two years ago, when UAH went to Ferris State and swept the Bulldogs in a WCHA series.
UAH will be rolling with senior leadership and an experienced group of defensemen this season, while the offense and goaltending try to step up. Read more in our season preview.
Players to watch (with 2017-18 statistics):
Kurt Gosselin (D, Sr., 5-11-16)
Christian Rajic (F, So., 9-6-15)
Madison Dunn (F, Sr., 5-10-15)
Hans Gorowsky (F, Sr., 5-7-12)
Cam Knight (D, Sr., 0-11-11)
Mark Sinclair (G, So., 3.67 GAA, .876 SV% in 7 GP)
Jake Theut (G, Sr., transfer from Northeastern)
About the RedHawks: Miami had an overall record of 12-20-5 last season. The Redhawks finished last in the eight-team NCHC at 6-14-4, losing in the NCHC quarterfinals in three games to top seed St. Cloud State.
According to the NCHC media preseason poll, Miami is not expected to move up in the standings.
There is one familiar face on the Redhawks’ roster: Jordan Uhelski, who played 32 games at goaltender for UAH last season, transferred to Miami as a graduate. Uhelski was second in UAH’s Division I era (fifth all-time) in goals against average (2.94) and fourth in the D-I era (sixth all-time) in save percentage (.906).
Players to watch (with 2017-18 statistics):
Gordie Green (F, Jr., 15 goals-18 assists-33 points)
Josh Melnick (F, Sr., 10-19-29)
Grant Hutton (D, Sr., 13-14-27)
Ryan Larkin (G, Jr., 3.12 GAA, .886 SV% in 36 GP)
Series notes
Overall: Miami leads 8-1-0.
At Miami: Miami leads 6-0-0.
Streak: Miami has won the last eight meetings.
First meeting: Oct. 26-27, 1988 in Huntsville. UAH won 5-3, Miami won 7-5.
Last meeting: Feb. 10-11, 2012 in Oxford. Miami won 3-1 and 4-1.
This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. All WCHA home games can be seen on FloHockey.tv.
Saturday, Oct. 6
UAH at Miami, 6:05 p.m.
USA Under-18 Team at Ferris State (exhibition), 4:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Merrimack, 6 p.m.
Bowling Green at Mercyhurst, 6:05 p.m.
Lakehead at Bemidji State (exhibition), 6:07 p.m.
Mount Royal at #10 Minnesota State (exhibition), 7:07 p.m.
Alaska at Arizona State, 9:05 p.m.
Colorado College at Alaska Anchorage, 10:05 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 7
UAH at Miami, 2 p.m.
Lethbridge at Ferris State (exhibition), 2:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Merrimack, 3 p.m.
Alaska at Arizona State, 5 p.m.
Colorado College at Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 9
Bowling Green at #19 Western Michigan, 6:05 p.m.