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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team opens up their 2012-13 season this weekend when they play host to Minnesota State University at the Von Braun Center.
 
Friday night UAH will welcome in the Mavericks for what looks to be a very competitive weekend series. All tickets will be free to Friday night's game.
 
The Chargers dominated a lesser-Alabama club team over the past weekend and now have to prepare for one of the more consistent teams in the WCHA.
 
UAH outscored the Frozen Tide 22-1 in two games on Saturday and Sunday, while outshooting them 108-11.
 
Minnesota State downed Lethbridge 7-1 in their exhibition game on Sunday.
 
It will be the first regular season coaching game for both Kurt Kleinendorst (pictured right) and Mike Hastings of Minnesota State.
 
Both coaches saw their teams dominate their exhibition matchups and now will get a better sense of what they have for the upcoming season.
 
The series dates back to 1988-89 with the two teams playing a total of 38 times. The all-time series stands at an even 17-17-4, but the Mavericks have won the past five meetings and are undefeated in the past eight boasting a 7-0-1 record against the Chargers. Both teams used to play as part of NCAA Division II.
 
UAH returns four seniors to the ice and they are all expected to contribute at a high level. Curtis deBruyn will be the 2012-13 team captain and will look to anchor a defense that needs to limit the opposing teams from putting up big numbers.
 
Justin Cseter and Sebastian Geoffrion will also be leaned on to produce numbers offensively for the Chargers, both players have the skill and mindset to do so this year. They will also serve as assistant captains for the upcoming season.
 
But it will be sophomore Kyle Lysaght (pictured left), the team's leading scorer from a year ago, returning to again find the back of the net. Lysaght did so this past weekend, scoring five goals in just one game played for UAH.
 
Senior John Griggs will most likely do the goaltending with the departure of last season's goalie Clarke Saunders. Griggs did not play this weekend and only saw action in six games last year, but his work between the pipes will be crucial to the success of this season's team.
 
A lot of players contributed in the weekend series against Alabama and so will be the case this weekend.
 
Look for a pair of tight games at the VBC on Friday and Saturday. The Chargers need to light the lamp more this season and they certainly have the talent and experience to do so.
 
The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. both nights.
 
 
Fans are encouraged to follow the Chargers on Facebook (facebook.com/uahchargers) and on Twitter (@uahchargers), and supporters of the Blue and White may sign up for text and e-mail updates at uahchargers.com.
 
For more information contact Joey Daniels, Sports Information Coordinator, at joseph.daniels@uah.edu