HUNTSVILLE | The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team dropped a 3-2 decision to visiting Alaska Anchorage on Saturday night at the Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center. UAH slips to 1-2-1 (0-1-1 WCHA) with the setback, while UAA improves to 4-1-1 (1-0-1 WCHA).
 
With the Chargers trailing 3-1 in the third period, the home team made the final minutes of the contest interesting when Max McHugh scored his third of the season at the 12:21 mark of the frame to pull UAH to within one at 3-2.
 
Cody Champagne and Brennan Saulnier earned the assists on the marker.
 
UAA goaltender Olivier Mantha, however, would turn away the final five shots on his goal from the Chargers in the final minutes and also held his ground on a shorthanded breakaway attempt by Matt Salhany with just under five minutes remaining in the contest.
 
The visiting Seawolves grabbed the lead around the midway point of the opening period as Anthony Conti scored at the 12:09 mark, and Conti would assist on the Anchorage goal that made it 2-0 at the 4:48 mark of the second.
 
Immediately responding, UAH would cut its deficit in half just over a minute later at 5:50 of the middle frame as Jetlan Houcher scored his first career goal at 5:50 with the freshman's power-play tally assisted by McHugh and Chad Brears.
 
The assists mark the third of the season for both, and the score allowed UAH to finish 1-for-3 on the night with the man advantage.
 
The score remained 2-1 until the 14:49 mark of the second when Connor Wright scored to put UAA back up 3-1.
 
For the contest, UAH outshot the Seawolves by a 39-22 margin as Mantha finished the night with 37 saves while earning the win.
 
Carmine Guerriero stopped 19 in net for the Chargers.
 
The Chargers will return to action next week when the team hits the road for the first time season, traveling to Lake Superior State for a two-game WCHA series.