Michigan Tech (14-12-3, 9-9-2-0 WCHA) at UAH (1-19-4, 1-13-4-1 WCHA)
WHERE: Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Ala.
WHEN: Friday, 7:07 p.m.; Saturday, 7:07 p.m.
WATCH: FloHockey.tv (subscription)
LISTEN: Penalty Box Radio (free)
PROMOTIONS: Kids 12-under get free general admission at the VBC box office, courtesy Huntsville International Airport.
TICKETS
Following a week off, the Chargers return to Propst Arena at Von Braun Center to host Michigan Tech.
UAH’s last action was two weeks ago in Anchorage, losing 5-1 and tying 2-2 against Alaska Anchorage (with UAA getting a second point in the 3-on-3 overtime). The Chargers find themselves 11 points behind the Seawolves for eighth place in the WCHA and the final conference playoff spot.
“We need anything we can get right now as far as momentum and points,” UAH head coach Mike Corbett said in his Tuesday talk with the media. “We had last weekend off, so we hope for a recharge and refuel. We’ve got to make some hay going down the stretch.”
Josh Latta scored his seventh goal of the season in the tie, putting him one behind Northern Michigan’s André Ghantous for most among WCHA freshmen. Latta has 16 points, which is tied for sixth in the WCHA among rookies.
Senior captain Austin Beaulieu has stepped it up of late, scoring three goals and two assists in his last five games.
Goaltender Mark Sinclair has played in 12 straight games with a goals against average of 3.36 and a save percentage of .905.
Michigan Tech sits in fifth place in the WCHA standings, six points behind Alaska for fourth and home ice in the first round of the playoffs.
The Huskies, dealing with offensive inconsistency and a flu outbreak, are 2-4-2 in their last eight games since winning the Great Lakes Invitational by beating Michigan and Michigan State. They split last weekend at home against ninth-place Ferris State.
“They’ve been up and down,” Corbett said. “They’ve had some really good, signature wins in their season, but they’ve also had the inconsistencies that a lot of teams have. For us to have the week off and them coming off of a split, that we’re going to get them at the right time.”
Sophomore forward Alec Broetzman leads the Huskies with 12 goals and 19 points this season.
Senior Matt Jurusik has been Tech’s leader between the pipes, posting a 2.08 goals against average (third in the WCHA) and .921 save percentage (fourth in the WCHA) with one shutout.
Michigan Tech leads the all-time series 16-2-2, including a 7-0-1 record in Huntsville. Last season, the Huskies took three of four, with UAH’s victory being a 1-0 shutout for Mark Sinclair (39 saves).
This week in the WCHA: All times Central. Games can be streamed online via subscription to FloHockey.tv.
Friday, January 31
Michigan Tech at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
Ferris State at #15 Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
Bowling Green at #19 Bemidji State, 7:07 p.m.
#3 Minnesota State at Alaska Anchorage, 10:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at USA Under-18 (exhibition), 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 1
Michigan Tech at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
Ferris State at #15 Northern Michigan, 5:07 p.m.
Bowling Green at #19 Bemidji State, 6:07 p.m.
#3 Minnesota State at Alaska Anchorage, 8:07 p.m.