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CLUB ERA
October 26, 1979: The UAH club hockey team handily wins its first game, beating Emory 11-4 in Atlanta.
November 17, 1979: The Chargers play their first home game at the Von Braun Civic Center, losing to Tennessee 11-8 in front of over 1,500 fans. It would be UAH’s lone loss of the season.
February, 1980: The Chargers complete their first season with the Southern Collegiate Hockey Association tournament title with a 7-1 win over Vanderbilt. UAH’s record is 21-1.
February, 1981: UAH wins another SCHA championship, beating Tennessee 7-6 in overtime. The Chargers finish their second club season with a 27-1 record.
February 5, 1982: A crowd of 6,620 pack the VBCC arena to watch the Chargers beat Auburn 8-0. It’s the highest attendance mark in the UAH club era.
March, 1982: In Boulder, Colorado, UAH pounds Southern Methodist 14-2 for its first U.S. National Club Championship.
March 5, 1983: Bob Quaile’s goal with 2:00 left in regulation lifts UAH to a 5-4 win over Penn State and its second consecutive U.S. National Club Championship in front of 4,334 fans at the Von Braun Civic Center.
February 3, 1984: UAH hosts an NCAA Division I opponent for the first time, beating Air Force 4-3 in front of 4,199 fans. The Chargers beat the Falcons the next night 7-5 for a two-game sweep.
March 5, 1984: The Chargers cruise to a third straight U.S. National Club Championship, beating Ohio 12-1.
March 3, 1985: UAH falls short in its bid for a fourth straight U.S. National Club Championship, losing 6-2 to North Dakota State in the title game.
March, 1985: The UAH Department of Athletics announces that it will leave the NAIA become a member the National Collegiate Athletics Association in 1986. As part of this transition, the school will promote ice hockey to varsity status, effective the 1985-86 season.
VARSITY ERA BEGINS
October 25, 1985: The UAH varsity hockey program plays its first game in Big Rapids, Michigan. The Chargers lose to Ferris State 7-2. Randy Carey scores UAH’s first varsity goal just 6:33 into the game.
November 9, 1985: The Chargers play their first home game as a varsity program, losing to Windsor 8-5 in front of 3,612 fans.
November 23, 1985: In its fifth varsity game, UAH gets its first victory at the Von Braun Civic Center. The Chargers beat Oswego State 5-3.
December 13, 1985: Center Ralph Drensek records UAH’s first hat trick at home against St. John’s of Minnesota. The Chargers won handily 13-2.
January, 1986: UAH officially becomes a member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), Division II.
February 1, 1986: Chris Parsons notches UAH’s first varsity shutout, stopping all 36 shots as the Chargers defeat Air Force 4-0 at the VBCC.
March 7, 1986: In the semifinals of the first Alabama Face-Off Tournament hosted by UAH, the Chargers beat the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame 5-4.
March 8, 1986: UAH wins the first Alabama Face-Off Tournament at the VBCC, beating the Royal Military College of Canada 4-2. The Chargers finish their first varsity season with a record of 14-13-1.
November 1, 1986: UAH sets a school record for goals scored on the road with a 10-6 victory over Iowa State in Ames.
November 8, 1986: UAH allows a school-record 68 shots on goal in the Chargers’ 6-3 loss at Geneseo State. Goaltender Barry Friedman’s 62 saves is also a Charger record.
November 22, 1986: The Chargers rack up a school-record 91 shots on goal in a 15-1 rout of Villanova at the VBC.
February 27, 1987: Jim Spanier set the school record for assists in a game as UAH beat Upsala 11-6 in the opener of the Alabama Face-Off Tournament. Spanier also scored a goal to become the first Charger to tally seven points in a game.
February 28, 1987: Mike Bulka scores in overtime to left UAH to a 3-2 win over Notre Dame and its second straight Alabama Face-Off Tournament. The Chargers its first season in the NCAA with a 20-10 record.
July 23, 1987: UAH announces that the hockey program will play in NCAA Division I starting with the 1987-88 season.
FIRST DIVISION I ERA
October 30, 1987: The Chargers first game as a Division I program is at home against Maine, an NCAA Tournament team the previous season. The Black Bears, who would make it to the Frozen Four at the end of the 1987-88 season, cruised to an 8-2 victory.
February 27, 1988: Mike O’Connor scores a school-record five goals in UAH’s 9-5 win over Queens College of Ontario in the third-place game of the Alabama Face-Off Tournament. O’Connor also had two assists to tie the UAH record with seven points. UAH finishes its first Division I season at 11-18-1.
March 2, 1990: UAH rolls in the first round of the Alabama Face-Off Tournament with a 9-2 win over Notre Dame at the VBCC.
March 9, 1991: UAH is shut out 5-0 by Alaska-Anchorage in the first round of the NCAA Division I Independents Tournament in Anchorage. UAA would go on to earn an NCAA tournament berth.
November 24, 1991: UAH scores a school-record four shorthanded goals and routs Ryerson 13-4.
December 29, 1991: Ken Thibodeau becomes UAH’s first player to score four goals in a game, tallying a hat trick in the third period alone as the Chargers beat Brown 7-5 at the VBCC.
January 11, 1992: The Chargers draw a crowd of 5,247 — the first 5,000-plus attendance in their varsity hockey history. UAH lost to Alaska-Fairbanks 8-3, but the Chargers would later get the win by forfeit as the Nanooks used an ineligible player.
DIVISION II ERA
October 23, 1992: Logan Lampert and Stuart Vitue each tie the UAH hockey record with seven points as the Chargers beat Michigan-Dearborn 16-3 at the VBCC. Lampert became the first Charger to score five goals in a game, and Vitue had six assists to tie the record for assists in a game.
November 14, 1992: UAH sets the school record for penalties with 28 in an 8-4 win over Southern Maine at Elmira College. A total of 50 penalties were called on both teams.
January 9, 1993: The Chargers score a school-record eight power play goals to trounce Canisius 9-2 at the VBC.
February 13, 1993: UAH defeats Army 4-2 with 5,057 in attendance.
January 15, 1994: Mario Mazzuca is the fifth Charger to score a school-record seven points in a game in UAH’s 18-1 win over Stonehill. Mazzuca scored four goals — three in the second period — with three assists. Tony Guzzo and Garry Symons added hat tricks. The Chargers allow only eight shots on goal, another school record.
January 16, 1994: Eric Bilyeu, Lance West, and Brian Richard score three goals in a 47-second span as UAH routs Stonehill 17-5. It’s the fastest three goals in school history.
February 19, 1994: The Chargers finish the regular season with a 4-3 victory over Mankato State in front of 5,169 fans. Sheldon Wolitski scored the game-winner for top-ranked UAH, which would earn its first NCAA Division II tournament berth.
March 11, 1994: The first game in the long series between UAH and Bemidji State was in the NCAA Division II Championship. Garry Symons scored two goals to lead the Chargers to a 5-3 victory in game one.
March 12, 1994: A then-record crowd of 6,541 witnessed the longest night in UAH hockey history, but it would not end happy for the Chargers. Bemidji State used two quick second-period goals to defeat UAH 2-1 to even the NCAA Division II Championship at a game apiece. A 20-minute “mini-game” would follow to determine the national champion, but it would require sudden-death overtime after being tied 1-1. Jason Mack’s goal at 15:48 of overtime gave Bemidji State its second straight Division II title. The action ended at 11:10 p.m. after over four hours of hockey.
February 11, 1995: Mario Mazzuca becomes the third Charger to score five goals in a game in UAH’s 17-2 win over Nichols.
February 18, 1995: A UAH-record crowd of 6,645 witnesses a 5-2 Charger victory over Mankato State in the regular-season finale. Despite a 20-5-2 record, the Chargers are left out of the NCAA Division II championships. Bemidji State and Mercyhurst were picked over UAH to play for the national title.
November 17, 1995: Wade Tulk scores two goals only eight seconds apart in UAH’s 13-2 win over New Hampshire College. It’s the fastest two goals in school history.
November 18, 1995: UAH ties a school record by allowing only eight shots on goal against New Hampshire College. The Chargers won 7-0 at the VBC.
January 5, 1996: The Chargers start the season 15-0-0 with a 3-2 win against Salem State. Going back to the previous season, UAH wins its 20th straight game, a school record.
January 6, 1996: UAH’s 20-game winning streak is snapped with a 3-3 tie at home against Salem State. The Chargers’ undefeated streak continues at 21 games.
January 13, 1996: The Chargers break the record for goals in a game, destroying Curry 20-1 at the VBC. UAH takes the two-game series by a combined score of 36-1.
March 8, 1996: UAH and Bemidji State meet for the second time in the NCAA Division II championship, a rematch of the 1994 series. In game one, Huntsville-native Matt Parker scored just 42 seconds into the contest, and Mario Mazzuca added two goals as the Chargers romped 7-1 in front of 6,126 fans at the Von Braun Center.
March 9, 1996: The Chargers earn their first NCAA Division II national championship and complete an undefeated season, finishing a sweep of Bemidji State with a 3-0 win. Tony Guzzo, Jamie Baby, and Mario Mazzuca score goals in the second-period as UAH won its first national title in any sport. A crowd of 6,291 watches the Chargers end the season at 26-0-3.
November 1, 1996: UAH’s school-record 34-game undefeated streak is snapped after a 7-2 loss at Maine to open the 1996-97 season. The Chargers were 31-0-3 during the streak dating back to Febuary 4, 1995.
March 14-15, 1997: UAH visits Bemidji State for the first time in the third NCAA Division II championship between the two schools. The Beavers regained the crown after beating the Chargers 3-2 and 4-2.
November 8, 1997: The Chargers demolish Sacred Heart, 23-4, at the VBC to match their largest-ever victory. UAH breaks the record for most goals in a game, and the 27 goals is the school record for goals by both teams.
March 13, 1998: UAH and Bemidji State meet for the fourth time in the NCAA Division II championship, returning to Huntsville for the third time. Mark Motowski scored twice to lead the Chargers to a 6-2 win in a contentious first game. Twenty-four players were called for penalties between the teams.
March 14, 1998: UAH wins its second NCAA Division II national championship after a 5-2 victory over Bemidji State. Cedrick Billequey made 30 saves and five different Chargers scored to the delight of the 5,884 in attendance at the VBC. UAH finishes the season 24-3-3.
June 29, 1998: UAH announces that the hockey program will return to NCAA Division I. The Chargers would play a transitional schedule in the 1998-99 season and seek conference affiliation.
November 28, 1998: UAH ties a school record with four shorthanded goals to beat New England College 11-3 at the VBC.
MODERN DIVISION I ERA
June 15, 1999: College Hockey America is formed with UAH as a charter member along with Army, Air Force, Bemidji State, Findlay, Niagara, and Wayne State.
October 15, 1999: The Chargers, now playing a full Division I schedule, begin their modern Division I era with a 3-3 tie at Minnesota State, rallying from a 2-0 deficit on third-period goals from Jay Woodcroft, Ron Baker, and Nathan Bowen.
November 5, 1999: UAH wins its first College Hockey America game, beating Air Force 4-0 at the Von Braun Center. Steve Briere earned the shutout with 18 saves.
February 5, 2000: The Chargers break their school record for penalty minutes in a 6-1 win over rival Bemidji State at the VBC. UAH was handed 96 minutes of penalties and the Beavers got 81 after multiple scuffles in the third period when the outcome was basically decided. Shane Stewart had a school-record 31 penalty minutes by himself, including a fight with BSU’s Frank Udovich after the final buzzer.
March 11, 2000: The Chargers open the first CHA Tournament at the Von Braun Center by routing rival Bemidji State 10-4 in the semifinals. Nathan Bowen had a hat trick as UAH sets the school’s modern Division I era for goals in a game.
March 12, 2000: UAH falls 3-2 to Niagara in the first CHA Tournament championship game at the Von Braun Center.
November 3, 2000: UAH gets a Division I-era 59 shots on goal in a 4-0 win over Iona at the VBC. Mike Funk had two goals and Mark Byrne made 21 saves in the shutout.
February 23, 2001: Despite losing 5-4 in overtime at Findlay, the Chargers clinched their first College Hockey America regular season title when Niagara lost at home to Air Force.
February 24, 2001: The newly-crowned CHA regular season champions defeat Findlay 4-0 in Ohio. Adam MacLean finishes off the regular season with a 23-save shutout, and Ron Baker netted two goals.
March 9, 2001: UAH rolls over Air Force 7-0 in the CHA Tournament semifinals in Huntsville. Mark Byrne notched his school-record sixth shutout of the season, stopping all 16 shots he faced. Darren Curry and Ryan McCormack each scored twice.
December 29, 2002: At the UConn Classic, UAH defeats a ranked Division I opponent for the first time. The Chargers beat No. 8 Ferris State 5-4 on Gerald Overton’s overtime goal. UAH erased a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the second period (two by Ryan Leasa).
January 17, 2003: Craig Bushey’s goal with 41 seconds left in overtime lifts UAH to a 4-3 win over Bemidji State at the VBC, extending the Chargers’ Division I-era record win streak to nine games. Jared Ross assisted on the game-winner to cap a four-point night.
March 1, 2003: Jared Ross and Mike Funk each scored twice to lead UAH to a 6-3 win over Findlay at the VBC. Tyler Butler had four assists in the victory, which clinched the second CHA regular season title for the Chargers.
February 29, 2004: UAH and Wayne State combine for a UAH-record 187 penalty minutes as the Chargers lose 4-1 at home.
Chris Martini scores the game-winning goal as the Chargers beat Bemidji 2-1 at the VBC on Feb. 3, 2006.
January 6, 2007: Doug Ross announces that this season will be his last as head coach of the Chargers.
March 11, 2007: UAH defeats Robert Morris 5-4 for its first CHA Tournament title, after falling behind 4-0 and David Nimmo scoring the short-handed game-winner in overtime.
March 23, 2007: At Grand Rapids, Michigan, UAH loses to Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional semifinal 3-2 in double overtime, the longest game in UAH history at the time and the final game for coach Doug Ross. The Chargers scored twice on goals by Dominik Rozan and Cale Tanaka to erase a 2-0 deficit, but the Irish’s Ryan Thang scored with 4:42 left in the second overtime. Marc Narduzzi made 49 saves for UAH in over 90 minutes of play.
April 30, 2007: Danton Cole is hired as UAH’s third head hockey coach.
August 11, 2009: The Central Collegiate Hockey Association denies UAH’s application to join the conference. UAH announces it will continue its hockey program as a Division I independent.
October 9, 2009: The Chargers open the season with a 3-2 upset at No. 5 Notre Dame. UAH rallies with two third-period goals, including the game-winner with five seconds left in regulation off the stick of Cody Campbell on the power play. It is the highest-ranked opponent UAH has beaten to date.
March 12, 2010: Neil Ruffini’s tally is all UAH needs in a 1-0 win over Robert Morris in the CHA semifinals at Niagara. Cam Talbot stopped all 29 shots he faced for his fourth career shutout.
March 13, 2010: Keenan Desmet scores the game-winner in overtime to lead UAH to a 3-2 win over Niagara in the final CHA Tournament championship game and its second NCAA Division I Tournament berth.
March 27, 2010: Miami beats UAH 2-1 in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Brennan Barker scored the Chargers’ lone goal with 38 seconds left in regulation, and Cam Talbot stopped 36 of 38 shots.
June 21, 2010: Danton Cole steps down to become a head coach of the U.S. National Development Team.
July 9, 2010: Assistant coach Chris Luongo becomes the program’s fourth head coach.
January 29, 2011: Sebastian Geoffrion scores 29 seconds into overtime as UAH upsets No. 15 Nebraska-Omaha 2-1. The Chargers win despite being outshot 59-19 in Omaha, thanks to Clarke Saunders’s 58-save performance in net.
October 24, 2011: UAH announces it will relegate the hockey program to club status.
November 5, 2011: UAH goes a full game without a penalty for the first time, but the Chargers lose 2-0 at home to Ohio State.
December 6, 2011: After meeting with program boosters, UAH and new president Dr. Robert Altenkirch announce the hockey program will stay varsity and NCAA Division I on the condition it joins a conference.
January 6, 2012: Mac Roy scores twice and Clarke Saunders stops 41 shots as the Chargers stun No. 11 Denver in Colorado. Roy assisted on Jamie Easton’s game-winning goal with 2:41 remaining in regulation.
April 5-7, 2012: UAH hosts the 2012 Frozen Four at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida with Boston College, Ferris State, Minnesota, and Union. Boston College wins the national championship.
Sept. 25, 2012: Kurt Kleinendorst replaces Chris Luongo as head coach.
October 12, 2012: A crowd of 5,106 watched UAH’s 4-1 loss to Minnesota State, the largest crowd in the Chargers’ modern Division I history.
January 17, 2013: At the NCAA meetings near Dallas, UAH formally applies to join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and is accepted by unanimous vote.
May 29, 2013: Kurt Kleinendorst resigns.
July 8, 2013: Mike Corbett is hired as UAH’s sixth head coach.
October 25, 2013: The Chargers play their first game in the WCHA at the Von Braun Center, a 6-1 loss to Bemidji State.
December 7, 2013: UAH notches its first WCHA victory. Frank Misuraca’s blast from the right point with 3.7 seconds remaining in overtime beats Bowling Green 4-3 in Ohio.
February 15, 2014: Carmine Guerriero makes 61 saves, setting a UAH modern Division I era record, but the Chargers fall 4-0 at Minnesota State.
March 13, 2015: In their first WCHA playoff game, the Chargers play the longest game in program history, losing 1-0 in triple overtime at Michigan Tech. Carmine Guerriero sets UAH and WCHA records with 76 saves in the contest, which at 118 minutes and 49 seconds was the seventh-longest game in NCAA Division I history. Tyler Heinonen won the game for the Huskies with 1:11 left in the third overtime period.
October 31, 2015: The Chargers defeat Lake Superior State 5-0 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., completing their first WCHA road sweep. Matt Larose made 31 saves in UAH’s first shutout since 2010.
March 3, 2018: Josh Kestner’s goal with 29 seconds remaining in regulation lifted the Chargers to a 3-2 win at Northern Michigan for their first ever WCHA playoff victory. UAH would lose the WCHA quarterfinal series in three games.
June 28, 2019: Seven schools in the WCHA announce they are exiting the conference to form a new league after the 2020-21 season, leaving UAH, Alaska Anchorage, and Alaska Fairbanks.
May 22, 2020: Citing budget restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, UAH announces it will discontinue the varsity hockey program.
May 29, 2020: With a furious fundraising effort, UAH alumni were able to raise over $500,000 in four days to keep the hockey program playing for the 2020-21 season.
June 3, 2020: Mike Corbett resigns as head coach. Assistant coach Lance West is named the interim head coach.
July 22, 2020: Lance West is officially named as UAH’s seventh head coach.
September 11, 2020: All NCAA Division I hockey conference announce a delay to the start of the 2020-21 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 11, 2020: UAH and hockey alumni collaborate on a 10-year, $17 million pledge for the program, setting goals for conference membership and an on-campus facility.
May 5, 2021: UAH suspends operations of the varsity hockey program, citing an inability to secure membership in a conference.