Where: Propst Arena at Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala.
When: Friday, 7:07 p.m.; Saturday, 3:07 p.m.
Watch: Ticket information | FloHockey.tv (subscription required)
Promotions: Kids 12 and under can get free general admission tickets, courtesy Huntsville International Airport, at the VBC box office on game days.
Charger update: UAH (4-19-1 overall, 4-11-1-1 WCHA) had a 7-2 loss and a 1-1 tie at 18th-ranked Lake Superior State last week. The Chargers earned two WCHA points in the tie after winning the shootout.
After an awful first period in the first game Friday where they allowed six goals, the Chargers bared down the five periods after.
UAH had a 1-0 lead in the third period Saturday thanks to Madison Dunn until the Lakers tied it up with 1:57 remaining in regulation.
Goaltender Mark Sinclair had a great night Saturday, stopping 36 of 37 shots. He also played the majority of Friday’s game, relieving Jake Theut halfway through the first.
Austin Beaulieu scored on Friday to tie Jack Jeffers for the team lead with five.
“The last five periods of last weekend was pretty good for us,” UAH head coach Mike Corbett said. “We just gained confidence every period. Hopefully we can move forward with that.”
The Chargers have started to turn things around somewhat, going 3-3-1-1 in their last seven WCHA games after a 1-8-0-0 start.
“Right now, we’re getting points every weekend,” Corbett said. “We’ve scored some goals and done some things that we were hoping what was going to happen at the start of the year.
“The buy-in of our players is exactly what we wanted it to be. We had some type of a disconnect on what was needed for us to be successful and win. Now our kids are executing that way and they’re competing a lot harder, too.”
The next two weekends are a prime opportunity for UAH to rack up some points at home. After last-place Alaska Anchorage visits the VBC this week, the Chargers host the team just ahead of them in seventh, Alaska, next week.
“We say not to talk about (the standings), but they all look at it,” Corbett said. “I want you to look at it and be hungry and make sure these next four games count at home. This is a weekend where we have to take care of our business.”
The Chargers’ penalty kill remained strong, keeping the Lakers off the scoreboard in 10 power play opportunities. UAH is now sixth in Division I and second in the WCHA at 88 percent penalty killing efficiency.
About the Seawolves: Alaska Anchorage (2-19-1 overall, 1-14-1-0 WCHA) is in full rebuilding mode for first-year head coach Matt Curley. The Seawolves are in last place in the WCHA.
The Seawolves have had greater struggles on offense than the Chargers have, with only 24 goals in 22 games. UAA’s top goal scorers are seniors: Jeremiah Luedtke (five), Nicolas Erb-Ekholm (four) and Nils Rygaard (three).
UAA has split goaltending duties among three youngsters: Two sophomores and a freshman. Brodys Claeys has put up the best numbers in nine games, posting a 2.33 goals against average and .921 save percentage with a shutout.
Alaska Anchorage 2018-19 statistics
Series notes:
Overall: UAA leads 21-9-3 (first meeting: Dec. 7, 1987).
In Anchorage: UAA leads 15-4-0.
Trend: UAH is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings, and 7-3-2 in the last 12.
Last meeting: Jan. 12-13, 2018 in Anchorage. UAH won 4-2, UAA won 2-1.
Friday, January 18
Alaska Anchorage at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
#18 Lake Superior State at #6 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Michigan Tech at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m. (outdoor game on Lake Bemidji)
#9 Bowling Green at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Saturday, January 19
Alaska Anchorage at UAH, 3:07 p.m.
#18 Lake Superior State at #6 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
Michigan Tech at Bemidji State, 7:37 p.m.
#9 Bowling Green at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.