MANKATO, Minn. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team dropped the opener of the two-game WCHA series at No. 20 Minnesota State by a score of 2-1 on Friday night at Verizon Wireless Center. UAH dips to 3-10-2 (2-9-2 WCHA), while MSU improves to 9-6-4 (8-1-4 WCHA).

After a defensive struggle in the initial 12 minutes of play on Friday night, senior Chad Brears broke through the scoreless tie with his sixth goal of the season at 12:06 of the first period on a deflection off a shot by Max McHugh, who was credited with his team-leading 11th assist of the season. Brennan Saulnier also notched an assist on the play, his seventh of the year.

Junior Carmine Guerriero – who made his 10th start in goal for third-year head coach Mike Corbett – anchored the Chargers defense with a game-high 12 saves in the opening frame as the Blue and White maintained a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Both teams would go scoreless in the second period, with the Chargers unable to capitalize on a pair of power plays at the end of the frame that included a 5-on-3 opportunity. However, Guerriero continued to excel with an additional seven stops in the middle stanza while holding MSU 0-for-4 on power-play chances through 40 minutes of play.

Minnesota State quickly tied the contest in the third period as Mike Huntebrinker netted the equalizer at 1:06, before Teddy Blueger tallied the game-winner at 16:20 of the frame to bring the game to its 2-1 final.

A Montreal, Quebec, native, Guerriero finished the contest with 30 saves, which is his second straight game of 30 saves or more. The junior's record slips to 2-6-2 in 2015-16.

The Charger managed a total of nine shots on goal in the loss, with junior captain Brent Fletcher and freshman Tyler Poulsen leading the way with two shots on target apiece.

UAH and Minnesota State will matchup tomorrow night at 7:07 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Center for the series finale.