Where: Verizon Center, Mankato, Minn.
When: Game 1, Friday, 7:07 p.m.; Game 2, Saturday, 7:07 p.m.; Game 3 (if necessary), Sunday, 7:07 p.m.
Watch: FloHockey.tv (subscription required)
It’s the 2019 WCHA playoffs, and the eighth-seed Chargers head to Mankato this weekend to face top-seed and No. 4-ranked Minnesota State.
The Mavericks (27-7-2) won the MacNaughton Cup as WCHA regular-season champions for the second straight season and fourth time in five years.
Needless to say, UAH (8-26-2) is the clear underdog. The Chargers will need the usual great goaltending, timely goals, and minimal mistakes to pull off an upset win, and they’ll have to do it twice within three days.
Most likely candidates to help UAH pull the upset: Goaltender Mark Sinclair has posted big games this season in the WCHA, earning two shutouts. Hans Gorowsky has been hot as of late, scoring goals in four in his last five games.
The defensive corps has been stalwarts blocking shots, with Cam Knight leading the way with 75 blocks.
UAH players to watch:
Mark Sinclair, G, So. (2.84 GAA, .917 SV%)
Hans Gorowsky, F, Sr. (12g-7a-19p)
Kurt Gosselin, D, Sr. (4g-11a-15p)
Bauer Neudecker, F, Fr. (7g-7a-14p)
Jack Jeffers, F, Fr. (7g-7a-14p)
Chargers 2018-19 statistics
Minnesota State players to watch:
Dryden McKay, G, Fr. (1.78 GAA, .928 SV%)
Marc Michaelis, F, Jr. (16g-10a-26p)
Parker Tuomie, F, Jr. (13g-21a-34p)
Jared Spooner, F, So. (7g-20a-27p)
Connor Mackey, D, So. (6g-16g-22p)
Mavericks 2018-19 statistics
WCHA quarterfinals schedule:
Friday, March 8 (Game 1)
#8 UAH at #1 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
#7 Alaska at #2 Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
#6 Michigan Tech at #3 Bowling Green, 6:37 p.m.
#5 Bemidji State at #4 Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
Saturday, March 9 (Game 2)
#8 UAH at #1 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
#7 Alaska at #2 Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
#6 Michigan Tech at #3 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
#5 Bemidji State at #4 Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 (Game 3, if necessary)
#8 UAH at #1 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
#7 Alaska at #2 Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
#6 Michigan Tech at #3 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
#5 Bemidji State at #4 Lake Superior State, 3:07 p.m.