BIG RAPIDS, Mich. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville (3-8-2, 2-5-0 WCHA) hockey team defeated Ferris State (6-6-0, 3-4-0 WCHA) by a final score of 3-2 on Friday night at the Ewigleben Ice Arena in the conference series opener. UAH is now 3-1-1 in its last five games.

Junior Chad Brears got the Chargers going on offense early in the first period with a goal at the 1:46 mark, giving UAH a 1-0 advantage. Freshman Max McHugh and senior Graeme Strukoff added assists on the early score.

UAH would take the 1-0 into intermission thanks to a spectacular performance between the pipes by Carmine Guerriero, as the sophomore totaled 15 saves in the opening period.

The Chargers 1-0 lead remained until the Bulldogs' Gerald Mayhew scored 12:54 into the second period to tie the game at 1-1. The tie between UAH and FSU would hold heading into the second intermission.

Junior Alex Carpenter gave the Chargers a 2-1 advantage with a tally 8:57 into the third period, assisted by freshman Brennan Saulnier. Carpenter's goal was the first of his career at UAH.

Brears added to UAH's lead with his second score of the night at the 13:23 mark in the third period, with Brandon Parker and Jack Prince credited with assists on the goal. Brears is the third Charger this season to score two goals in a game.

Ferris State made it a one-goal game with a power play goal at 17:47 in the third period by Kyle Schempp. The Chargers held the Bulldogs scoreless in the final two minutes of the period to notch the program's first back-to-back wins over Division-I opponents since March 12-13 in the 2010 campaign when UAH topped Robert Morris and Niagara in the CHA Tournament.

The Chargers had success again on the penalty kill on Friday night, holding Ferris State 1-for-8 on power-play opportunities on the night. Over the past two games, UAH has allowed one power-play goal in 18 chances.

Guerriero is now 3-4-1 on the season with the win over Ferris State. He totaled 36 saves on the night, his fourth game this season with 35 saves or more.

UAH and FSU will match up for the series finale tomorrow at 6:07 p.m. at Ewigleben Ice Arena.