UAH (3-9-2, 2-6-0 WCHA) vs. No. 6 Michigan Tech (10-2-0, 8-2-0 WCHA) Nov. 28-29, 2014 - Von Braun Center - 7:07 p.m. CTLive Stats: uahchargers.comLive Video: WCHA.tv
Game Notes (PDF): uahchargers.com
Weekend information...
PROMOS: UAH will be giving away mini hockey sticks to the first 1,000 fans in attendance to Friday night's game, courtesy of Maynard's. Saturday's contest's featured giveaway is the third trading card set of the season.
CHUCK-a-PUCK: All proceeds from Chuck-a-Puck sales this weekend will go towards the United Way. Chuck-a-Pucks can be purchased at the game in the VBC lobby.
KIDS IN FREE: Children ages 12 and under receive free admission to all UAH hockey games for the 2014-15 season, courtesy of Huntsville International Airport. Fans can purchase hockey tickets by visiting the VBC Box Office or by calling (256) UAH-PUCK to purchase group tickets. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or at Ticketmaster.com.About the Chargers...
UAH IN BIG RAPIDS: The Chargers travelled to Ferris State for a conference series this past weekend, coming away with their second consecutive series split. UAH added WCHA points with a 3-2 win in the series opener, but fell in the finale by a 5-2 score.
DOUBLING UP: Junior
Chad Brears (Cold Lake, Alberta) paced the Chargers offensively with a two-goal performance in the opener and went on to notch his fourth assist of the season in the finale. Brears is the third Charger to total two goals in a game, and he now owns six points (2g-4a) this season.
OFFENSE LEADER: UAH points leader
Max McHugh (Seattle, Wash.) totaled one assist this weekend to give him seven points (3g-4a) on the year, which puts him sole possession of the top spot on the offense. Four different Chargers have six points following the series at FSU.
CONSISTENCY IN GOAL: Carmine Guerriero (Montreal, Quebec) made both starts in goal for the Chargers for the second series in a row this past weekend. Guerriero amassed 66 saves in two games, including a weekend-best 36 saves in the opening win. This season, Guerriero ranks 12th in the nation with a .933 save percentage and is seventh in the WCHA with a 2.43 goals against average. He has totaled 30 saves or more in seven games, including a season-high 54 saves at Minnesota State (Oct. 24).
UAH SPECIALTY: The Chargers have been exceptional on the penalty kill over the last three weekends holding the opposition to six goals in 44 chances, good for a .136 success rate. For the season, UAH has allowed 13 goals for a .155 conversion rate. The Chargers rank 29th in the country in penalty kills.
DEFENSE GAINING MOMENTUM: The Chargers have stepped up on defense so far in the 2014-15 season, averaging 3.04 goals against so far. A major reason for success is the growth of sophomore
Carmine Guerriero, along with the addition of key defensemen in
Richard Buri,
Cody Champagne and
Brandon Parker. UAH has allowed 43 goals this season, which improves upon 60 goals against through 14 games last year.
YOUTH MOVEMENT: Head coach
Mike Corbett's first full recruiting class has certainly impressed early in the season as the newcomers have accumulated 26 points from nine goals and 17 assists, the most of any class on the roster. McHugh leads the way with seven points (3g-4a), followed by
Brennan Saulnier (1g-5a) and Parker (0g-6a) with six points apiece. Fellow freshmen Buri, Champagne, and
Josh Kestner have combined on offense for seven points to round out the rookies.
About the Huskies...
RECENT ACTION: Michigan Tech cooled off from its 10-0 record to start the season after being swept by Minnesota State in consecutive games by scores of 2-1 and 3-2 last weekend. The Huskies dominated conference opposition prior to this past weekend, sweeping Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Ferris State, and Lake Superior State. MTU has been ranked as high as No. 1 by USCHO, but comes in at No. 6 after dropping a pair in Mankato.
MATCHUP HISTORY: UAH welcomes Michigan Tech to the Von Braun Center for the first time in program history, as the conference series gets underway on Friday at 7:07 PM. The Chargers lost both contests at the Huskies last season (Feb. 7-8) in the first meeting between the two programs. MTU is the second ranked opponent the Chargers have matched up against this season, after falling in both games to No. 7 Minnesota State - then No. 12 - earlier this season. MICHIGAN TECH PROFILE: The Huskies have totaled 37 goals this season, led by junior Alex Petan who has accumulated a team-high seven goals to go along with five assists. Senior Tanner Kero is the MTU points leader with 14 total (4g-10a). Defensively, Michigan Tech has allowed 17 goals in 12 games played, thanks to strong goalie play by Jamie Phillips. Phillips has a 1.42 goals against average and a .950 save percentage, and both marks are amongst the top five in the country.
