Kolton Watts scored 1:36 into overtime as UAH rebounded for a 3-2 victory over Vanderbilt in Nashville on Sunday to salvage a series split.
It was a big comeback for the Chargers (7-7-1 overall, 5-3-0 College Hockey South), who suffered a 5-4 loss on a shorthanded goal in the third period on Saturday. The win snapped UAH’s three-game losing streak in conference play and moved the Chargers back into a tie for third in CHS Division 2 North.
The Commodores (8-14-0, 7-3-0), who clinched a spot in the CHS Division 2 tournament on Saturday, extended their lead atop the North division to two points with the overtime loss.
Cameron Crawford stopped 32 of 34 shots in the win, winning this goaltending battle with Vanderbilt’s Andrew Shearson (33 saves).
Henry Hoff gave UAH the early lead with his eighth goal of the season at the 3:10 mark, assisted by Josh Corrow and Bradly McDonald.
Ethan Smiley equalized for the Commodores just under nine minutes remaining in the first period. Braden Pichel gave Vanderbilt a 2-1 lead with 12:36 left in the second.
It only took 10 seconds into the third for the Chargers to tie the game at 2-2. Keaton Watts’s team-leading 13th goal of the season came on an assist from Matteo Siciliano.
Then Kolton Watts matched his brother’s total in overtime with his 13th, unassisted.
The Chargers are idle next weekend. They head to Ole Miss on Feb. 2-3 and Georgia Tech on Feb. 9-10 to finish the regular season.
Pictured: Kolton Watts scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Vanderbilt on Jan. 21, 2024 (Photo by Jaime Crawford/JC Sports Photography)