WHERE: Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala.
WHEN: Friday, 7:07 p.m.; Saturday, 7:07 p.m.
WATCH: FloHockey.tv (subscription)
TICKETS
The Chargers open the home schedule and WCHA action this weekend against a nemesis.
Minnesota State (3-0-1), No. 2 in the latest USCHO.com and USA Today polls, will be the highest-ranked Division I team to ever visit Huntsville.
The Mavericks, who are favored to take the WCHA title again this season, have been the hardest nuts to crack for the Chargers. UAH hasn’t beaten MSU in the six seasons since joining the WCHA. The Chargers’ last win in the series came in 2002.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge,” UAH head coach Mike Corbett said. “We played them in the playoffs at the end of last year, so we know exactly what we’re getting into with them. But it’s a good challenge, a challenge we have to embrace. I’m excited to see how we’re going to be up to that challenge.”
Meanwhile, UAH (0-4-0) has had a rough start out of the gate, scoring only three goals in four road games. Coach Mike Corbett says his young team is learning how tough Division I hockey can be.
“We are playing nine freshman on most nights,” Corbett said. “As I have told this group before, D-I hockey is a men’s league and our young guys now have a good understanding of what it takes to compete night in and night out at this level.
“We have improved every game even though the scores may not show it. We need to fight out way to the net front to get second chance opportunities. Lots of shots missing the net and young mistakes have hurt us, especially at the end of shifts.”
“I like this team a lot. There will be a learning curve but our young guys are all players that will help us continue to win games. We have to stay on them and keep pushing for improvement and good habits within their game.”
Jack Jeffers and Josh Latta each have two assists in the early going. In goal, time has been split between junior Mark Sinclair and freshman David Fessenden, each with two starts.
For the Mavericks, freshman Lucas Snowden has already made a mark with seven points (two goals and five assists) in four games. Senior Marc Michaelis is continuing to be a force with four goals. Goaltender Dryden McKay has allowed only six goals in four games.
“They’re an older, senior-laden group and have a very good offense,” Corbett said. “We have to match their intensity right off the bat.”
Promotions: Schedule magnets will be given away in Friday’s opener. Kids 12 and under can get free admission to both games at the Von Braun Center box office, courtesy of Huntsville International Airport.
This week in the WCHA: All times Central. All WCHA conference games (*) can be seen on FloHockey.tv (online subscription).
Friday, October 25
* #2 Minnesota State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at #17 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at #5 Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Bemidji State at #16 North Dakota, 7:37 p.m.
Saturday, October 26
* #2 Minnesota State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Ferris State, 5:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at #17 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska at Alaska Anchorage, 8:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at #5 Notre Dame, 5 p.m.
Bemidji State at #16 North Dakota, 7:07 p.m.