PHOTO GALLERY | HIGHLIGHTS

HUNTSVILLE | The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team fell to Michigan Tech 4-2 on Friday night at the Von Braun Center in the opening game of the WCHA series. UAH dips to 3-3-1 (2-2-1 WCHA), while MTU improves to 4-3-0 (4-3-0 WCHA).

The UAH offense was led by Huntsville native Josh Kestner and fellow sophomore Brandon Parker who each tallied one goal in the contest, with Parker's tally being the first of his career in the Blue and White.

The Chargers jumped on the board quickly as Kestner would send in his second goal of the season – both coming at home – at 1:21 of the opening period thanks to helpers from freshman Hans Gorowsky and junior captain Brent Fletcher.

However, MTU tied the contest at 1-1 with a goal by Joel L'Esperance at 4:35 of the first before taking a 2-1 lead on a power-play marker by Alex Petan at 12:03 of the initial period. The Huskies went on to add a shorthanded goal at 15:14 by Brent Baltus, taking a 3-1 advantage into the first intermission.

Parker cut into the Michigan Tech lead with a score at 1:02 of the middle period, which the defensemen sent past MTU netminder Jamie Phillips from the UAH defensive end to bring the score to 3-2 in favor of the visitors. The Fairbault, Minnesota, native's goal was the lone tally of the second.

The Huskies added on a goal at 13:59 of the third period by Mason Blacklock to bring the game to its 4-2 final.

Junior Matt Larose made his second start in net for the Chargers, and his record dips to 1-1-0 following the loss. Larose stopped 36 shots in his time in net, including a game-high 16 saves in the opening frame, while holding MTU to 1-for-6 on power-play opportunities.

The Chargers look ahead to the series finale against the Huskies on Saturday at the Von Braun Center. Puck drops at 7:07 p.m.