Series Preview: at Minnesota State, Oct. 24-25

The Chargers look to regroup after a rough home opening series. It will not be easy visiting a tough Minnesota State program that the Chargers have had little success against in recent years.

Season series: The Chargers and Mavericks have been playing each other since 1988. Minnesota State holds a 23-19-5 advantage in the series, including a 13-6-4 record in Mankato. Last season, the Mavericks won all four meetings by a combined score of 16-2, with the Chargers shut out by 4-0 scores in both games in Mankato. The Chargers haven’t beaten the Mavericks since a 2-0 win in Huntsville on January 4, 2002 — a span of 14 games (0-12-2). The last time UAH won in Mankato was Oct. 16, 1999, 4-0.

Chargers recap: UAH (0-4-0 overall, 0-2-0 WCHA) started its home and WCHA seasons last week and was swept by Bowling Green.

On Friday, the Chargers were shut out, 5-0. Carmine Guerriero made 36 saves. UAH gave up two power play goals and a shorthanded goal.

Matt Larose stopped 44 shots in UAH’s 4-1 loss to Bowling Green on Saturday. (Photo by Chris Brightwell)

On Saturday, Frank Misuraca scored the lone goal in the Chargers’ 4-1 loss. Matt Larose made 44 saves in the effort.

Defensemen have scored four of the six goals for UAH this season — two by Misuraca, and two by Brandon Carlson.

About the Mavericks: Minnesota State (2-2-0 overall, 0-0-0 WCHA), ranked 13th in this weeks USCHO.com poll, begins its conference slate after splitting a home-and-home with Minnesota-Duluth last week. The Mavericks got an overtime goal from Zab Knutson to beat the Bulldogs 5-4 in Duluth on Friday. On Saturday in Mankato, after raising its Broadmoor Trophy banner, Minnesota State lost its home opener to Minnesota-Duluth, 6-2.

The Mavericks open league play as the favorite to win the WCHA title by conference coaches and media. They finished second in the WCHA last season to Ferris State, but defeated Ferris in the WCHA Final Five championship game. Minnesota State lost to UMass Lowell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Senior defenseman Zach Palmquist leads the Mavericks in scoring so far this season with four points (two goals, two assists). Seniors Matt Leitner, one of the favorites to be WCHA player of the year, and Jean-Paul LaFontaine, another all-WCHA selection, each have three assists. Freshman Brad McClure leads the team with three goals.

Sophomore Cole Huggins, the WCHA’s goaltending champion last season, has struggled in his first three starts, posting a 4.70 goals against average and a .762 save percentage. Junior Stephon Williams has been solid in two games (one start), with a 2.16 GAA and .917 save percentage.

Around the WCHA: Three conference series are scheduled this week. Defending MacNaughton Cup champion Ferris State opens league play at home against Michigan Tech, and Northern Michigan visits ake Superior State.

Both Alaska schools are now ranked, and both head east for non-conference series. Alaska-Anchorage is at Maine and Alaska is at Western Michigan.

Bemidji State stays in-state for a clash in the Twin Cities with top-ranked Minnesota, while Bowling Green visits Clarkson.

Here’s the schedule for league teams this week. All times are Central. Games involving WCHA teams at home can be seen online on WCHA TV.

Friday, October 24

* UAH at #13 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at #8 Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Lake Superior State, 6:37 p.m.
Bowling Green at Clarkson, 6 p.m.
#20 Alaska-Anchorage at Maine, 6 p.m.
#16 Alaska at Western Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
Bemidji State at #1 Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Saturday, October 18

* UAH at #13 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Michigan Tech at #8 Ferris State, 6:07 p.m.
* Northern Michigan at Lake Superior State, 6:07 p.m.
#20 Alaska-Anchorage at Maine, 6 p.m.
#16 Alaska at Western Michigan, 6:07 p.m.
Bowling Green at Clarkson, 6:30 p.m.
Bemidji State at #1 Minnesota, 7 p.m.