HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The UAH hockey team fell in the 33rd season opener for the program, dropping a tight 3-2 decision to visiting Lake Superior State at the Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center on Saturday night. The Chargers start the season 0-1-0 while the Lakers begin at 1-0-0.

With just under seven minutes left on the clock in the third period, the Chargers had a chance to thrill the 2,485 fans in attendance as Kyle Lysaght fired it in on LSSU goalie Kevin Kapalka who stopped the try but was unable to secure the puck. The puck stayed dangerously in the crease while he was down, but no one in an UAH uniform was able to bury it for the equalizer.

The Chargers grabbed the advantage first in the game, as Justin Cseter scored at 14:09 of the opening frame on a tight-angle shot from the goal line. Ben Reinhardt – skating in his first collegiate game – picked up the assist on the strike.

Responding just over a minute later at the 15:16 mark, Chris Cotti scored from right in front to even the game at 1-1, and the Lakers gained the lead just under three minutes later when Chris Clotti scored from the slot at 17:49.

The visitors padded their lead early in the second frame as Zach Trotman scored what would be the game-winner on a 4-on-3 power play at 2:32. The Lakers finished the night 1-of-7 with the man-advantage while the Chargers were unable to convert on any of their six opportunities.

UAH trimmed its deficit to one when freshman Craig Pierce scored an unassisted tally at 5:02 of the second, but that would be as close as the Chargers would come.

Earning the win, Kevin Kapalka made 19 saves while Clarke Saunders stopped 26 of the 29 shots he faced.

The two teams will square off again on Sunday with the puck dropping at 3 p.m.