UAH (5-3-1, 4-1-0 CHS D2) at Georgia (7-2-1, 3-1-1 CHS D1)
When: Friday, 8:00 p.m. CDT
Where: The Ice, Cumming, Ga.
Watch: YouTube
The UAH club hockey team hits the road for a game at Georgia and a big conference game at Tennessee.
Two weeks ago, the Chargers split a big series with Clemson, winning the opener 4-2 and losing the second game 5-1. UAH and Clemson are tied atop the College Hockey South Division 2 North standings.
UAH at Tennessee (4-5-0, 1-2-0 CHS D2)
When: Sunday, 12:15 p.m. CST
Where: Knoxville Coliseum, Knoxville, Tenn.
Watch: YouTube
“Very happy with a split against a very good Clemson team,” UAH head coach Tim Flynn said. “That was a hard fought series. I was very proud of how our guys played in a tight game on Friday and we found a way to get a win. We made too many mistakes Saturday and Clemson took advantage. Full credit to them, that’s what good teams do.
“We just have to learn how to be consistent and bring the same effort in back to back games. We’re 4-0-1 on Friday nights and 1-3 on Saturdays, so we have to get better there. That’s what it’s going to take to have any sort of post season success.”
Statistics: UAH | Georgia | Tennessee
UAH will look to stay unbeaten on Fridays against a Georgia team that’s ranked sixth in AAU Division 1. After that, the Chargers will head to Knoxville for a Sunday rematch with Tennessee, whom UAH defeated 4-3 in overtime in Huntsville on Sept. 22. The Ice Vols are ranked fourth in AAU Division 2, one spot ahead of UAH.
Keaton Watts has been hot for the Chargers, scoring four goals and five assists for nine points in four games in October. The run put him as College Hockey South Division 2’s No. 3 star for the month. He now has 21 points on the season.
While he and his brother Kolton have been consistent with the offensive production and Cameron Crawford has been stalwart in goal, Flynn says the Chargers will need more than that.
“We’re going to be a little shorthanded with our line up, so it will be a good test for some of our guys to step up and play a bigger, more consistent role this weekend,” Flynn said. “I’m looking forward to watching them compete. We’ve talked about it all year: We can’t be a team that only relies on a handful of players; it’s going to take everyone on our team doing their part to help us get where we want to go.
“This weekend will be a great opportunity for some guys to showcase their ability. That doesn’t just mean contributing offensively, but playing to a level where we know we can trust you on the ice in any situation, whether it be defensively, on the penalty kill, puck management, and faceoffs.”
College Hockey South Division 2 North standings:
AAU College Hockey Division 2 rankings: