Carmine Guerriero’s 61-save performance against Minnesota State on Saturday is a new UAH hockey record for saves in a game. But what kind of record did he set?
The Charger hockey record book encompasses all official games from its first varsity season in 1985-86 to the present. Recently, I’ve been researching records for what we call the Chargers’ “modern Division I era.” This era runs from the 1999-2000 season to the present.
All-time varsity (1985-present)
1. Tony Guzzo (’97): 61 G-118 A-179 Pts
2. Jared Ross (’05): 73-86–159
3. Mario Mazzuca (’96): 96-59–155
4. Mike O’Connor (’89): 62-85–147
5. Mike Hamlin (’99): 75-70–145
Modern D-I era (1999-present)
1. Jared Ross (’05): 73-86–159
2. Karlis Zirnis (’03): 46-73–119
3. Craig Bushey (’05): 45-67–112
4. Bruce Mulherin (’06): 49-52–101
5. Jason Hawes (’03): 22-64–86
For each category in the record book, there’s now a “modern Division I era” record to go with the “all-time varsity” record. The reason: Division I hockey is the big leagues, and deserves its own context. You can’t really compare UAH’s games against top Division I opposition to that of our Division II days. Other programs that moved up to Division I around this time, such as former D-II programs Minnesota State and Bemidji State, also separate their record books this way.
Why does the 1999-2000 season the first of this era? It was the first where the Chargers began playing a consistent, full Division I schedule (and our first in the College Hockey America conference). While UAH declared to be Division I for 1998-99, only about half of that season’s games was against Division I competition.
What about UAH’s first Division I era from 1987-1992? I considered including those games, but the Chargers didn’t play a full, consistent Division I schedule during that period. Only 68 percent of those games were against Division I opponents.
Back to Guerriero: His 61 saves set a new UAH modern Division I era record. The all-time record is 62, set by Barry Friedman against Geneseo State (not a Division I opponent) in 1986.
In case you’re wondering, UAH’s all-time leading scorer is Tony Guzzo with 179 points. UAH’s modern era leading scorer is Jared Ross with 159.
Promotions: As we alerted on Monday, there will be free general admission to the final four home games of the season, starting Friday night against Lake Superior State, courtesy of Huntsville International Airport. This week, free trading cards will be given Friday and free team photos will be given Saturday.
But that’s not all for this week’s series, which is sponsored by AEgis Technologies: Friday is also Weather Awareness Night with the Rocket City Weather Fest, featuring handouts and materials.
On Saturday, representatives from the Nashville Predators will be on hand with a return appearance of their mascot Gnash. Also, UAH’s four WCHA Scholar-Athletes will be honored before the game.
Blue Line Club luncheon: As with every home series, the Blue Line Club will take place this Friday at noon at the Varsity Room in Spragins Hall. Lake Superior State head coach Jim Roque is the special guest speaker. He and UAH coach Mike Corbett will talk about the series.
Zoe’s Kitchen will be catering. Tickets are $8 at the door, but free to Blue Line Club members.
Recruiting update: UAH picked up two more commitments this past week. Forwards Brandon Salerno and Brennan Saulnier are expected to join the Chargers next season.
Salerno is a center with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League. The 18-year-old from Toronto, who is in his second season in Waterloo, committed on Friday. Salerno has 26 points over the last two seasons.
Salnier, a forward for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, announced his commitment on Tuesday. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native has 44 points in 54 games this season.
For more on UAH’s verbal commitments, visit our Commitments page.
Around the WCHA: Minnesota State has caught Ferris State atop the WCHA standings. While the Mavericks swept UAH in Mankato, the Bulldogs managed to split their series at Bemidji. While Ferris has two extra league games to play, it is tied with MSU with 34 points. Both have clinched home ice in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.
Behind the Mavericks and Bulldogs is a free for all, with Alaska-Anchorage in third with 26 points, and Lake Superior in ninth, just six points behind UAA and one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot.
Ferris State is No. 6 in the latest USCHO.com poll. FSU is currently the only WCHA team projected to be in the NCAA Tournament, unless the Bulldogs are knocked out of the WCHA Tournament.
| WCHA Standings | Conference | Overall | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | T | Pts | W | L | T | |
| Ferris State | 22 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 34 | 21 | 7 | 3 |
| Minnesota State | 24 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 34 | 19 | 13 | 0 |
| Alaska-Anchorage | 24 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 26 | 15 | 11 | 4 |
| Alaska | 24 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 24 | 14 | 12 | 4 |
| Michigan Tech | 24 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 24 | 12 | 16 | 6 |
| Bowling Green | 24 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 24 | 13 | 13 | 6 |
| Bemidji State | 24 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 22 | 9 | 16 | 7 |
| Northern Michigan | 22 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 21 | 12 | 16 | 2 |
| Lake Superior State | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 20 | 14 | 15 | 1 |
| Alabama-Huntsville | 22 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 30 | 1 |
THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA
All times Central.
* WCHA game.
Friday, February 21
* Lake Superior State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
US Under-18 Team at Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m. (exhibition)
Saturday, February 22
* Lake Superior State at UAH, 7:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan, 6:07 p.m.