UAH (3-11-2, 2-8-0 WCHA) vs. Alaska (8-8-0, 3-7-0 WCHA) Dec. 12-13, 2014 - Fairbanks, Alaska - 10:07 p.m. CTCarlson Center (4,595)Live Stats: alaskananooks.comLive Video: WCHA.tv
Game Notes (PDF): uahchargers.com
About the Chargers...
RECENT ACTION: UAH was away from competition this past week, the first break of the season for the Chargers. Prior to the week off, UAH fell in both games of the WCHA series against Michigan Tech at home on Nov. 28-29, as the Huskies took the opener by a 4-2 score and followed up with a 5-2 victory in the finale. UAH's record stands at 3-11-2 (2-8-0 WCHA) through 16 games.
STEADY GOALS: Eleven different Chargers totaled points on offense in the series loss against Michigan Tech. The Chargers goal scorers against MTU were Brandon Carlson, Frank Misuraca, Craig Pierce, and Jeff Vanderlugt. Misuraca and Vanderlugt are now tied for the team-lead with four goals this season.
FRESHMAN IMPRESSES: UAH points leader Max McHugh (Seattle, Wash.) added one assist in the series against MTU to bring his season point total to eight points (3g-5a). McHugh is tied for 34th in the country and sixth in the conference for most points by a rookie. He has totaled at least one point in each of the last four series.
UAH SPECIALTY: The Chargers' special teams excelled yet again versus Michigan Tech, holding the Huskies to zero power-play goals in 10 opportunities. Over the past three series, UAH has allowed three power-play goals in 41 collective chances by Michigan Tech, Ferris State and Lake Superior State. This season, UAH is holding opponents to a .138 success rate, good for 23rd in the country, while also totaling the most penalty kills (81) in the nation.
OFFENSE IMPROVING: So far this year the Chargers have totaled 85 points on offense from 31 goals and 54 assists, which is well above last year's 47 points from 17 goals and 30 assists through 16 games. McHugh leads the way with eight points and is followed by three players – Brandon Parker, Jack Prince and Brennan Saulnier – who have each registered seven points.
YOUTH RISING: The UAH freshmen have notched 29 points this season from nine goals and 20 assists in their inaugural season wearing the Blue and White. McHugh tops all freshmen with eight points (3g-5a), followed by Parker (0g-7a) and Saulnier (1g-6a) with seven apiece. Richard Buri, Cody Champagne and Josh Kestner have combined for seven points (5g-2a) to round out the freshman class.
BLOCKED OUT: In the first 16 games last season, UAH allowed 69 goals for a 4.31 goals against average. UAH has improved upon that standing with a 3.25 goals against average after allowing 52 tallies in 16 games so far this year. Defensively, UAH has relied upon sophomore Brandon Carlson who leads the NCAA with 41 blocks. Misuraca (25), Champagne (24) and Parker (20) follow Carlson in the top four for blocks on the roster.
About the Nanooks...
RECENT ACTION: Last weekend Alaska split a WCHA series against No. 3 Minnesota State, picking up a 5-4 win the opener and falling in the finale by a 5-2 score. The Nanooks have split their past three conference series which also includes Northern Michigan and Lake Superior State. Alaska is currently in a four-way tie for sixth between Alaska, Bemidji State and Lake Superior State.
MATCHUP HISTORY: UAH owns an all-time series record of 6-14-1 against the Nanooks and a 3-9-0 record when visiting Fairbanks, Alaska. This will be the second year in a row that UAH travels to Alaska. The Chargers fell in both games in last season's series on Jan. 31-Feb. 1 by 6-1 scores.
ALASKA LEADERS: Tyler Morley is the Nanooks points leader with 16 (5g-11a) on the season, followed by Marcus Basara (7g-5a) and Colton Parayko (4g-8a) with 12 points apiece. Davis Jones has started the majority of Alaska's games between the pipes, totaling a 3.06 goals against average and a .870 save percentage. Defensively, Parayko has a team-high 30 blocks in the 2014-15 campaign.
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