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HUNTSVILLE | The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team dropped the WCHA series opener on Wednesday night at the Von Braun Center to rival Bemidji State by a final score of 4-1. UAH dips to 3-7-1 (2-6-1 WCHA), while BSU improves to 3-6-3 (2-5-2 WCHA).

The Chargers opened up the scoring early in the opener – the first-ever UAH hockey Wednesday home game in Huntsville – as junior Brandon Carlson netted his third of the season at 1:36 of the first period. Freshman Adam Wilcox was credited with his second career assist on Carlson's score.

The remainder of the opening frame would go scoreless, thanks to six saves in the first period by UAH starting goaltender Matt Larose.

However, Bemidji State's John Parker tied the contest at 1-1 at 7:20 of the second, which would hold into the second intermission. The Chargers had three power-play opportunities in the second period, but BSU's goalie Reid Mimmack held the Blue and White scoreless with eight stops in the middle frame.

The Beavers went on to tally three goals in the third and final period with markers by Gerry Fitzgerald at 12:55, Graeme McCormack with an empty-netter at 19:17, and Nate Arentz at 19:52 to bring the game to its final score of 4-1.

Larose finished the contest with 20 total saves, including seven apiece in the second and third periods. His record drops to 1-3-0 on the year.

The Chargers registered a total of 20 shots on goal, led by Huntsville native Josh Kestner with three. Freshman Madison Dunn paced the defensive effort with three blocks.

UAH and BSU will wrap up the series on Friday at 7 p.m. at the VBC after a break for Thanksgiving.