HOUGHTON, Mich. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team lost to No. 4 Michigan Tech by a final score of 1-0 in the third overtime period at MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Friday night in the opening game of the three-game WCHA playoff series. The contest was the longest in UAH history and second longest in the conference, lasting a total time of 118:49

Sophomore Carmine Guerriero was spectacular on Friday night, totaling 76 saves throughout the five-plus periods of play. The UAH netminder registered double-digit saves in all but one period, while setting the UAH and WCHA single-game save record.

Guerriero bested his own record of 61 saves (Minnesota State, Feb. 15, 2014) for UAH in the modern UAH Division-I era, and also topped the all-time varsity record of 62 saves set by Barry Friedman at Geneseo State on Nov. 8, 1986. The WCHA's previous record for saves in a single game was Kirk Daubenspeck who had 75 saves with then-member Wisonsin against Colorado College on March 8, 1997.

Michigan Tech controlled the pace at the outset of the game, posting 11 shots on goal in the opening period. The Huskies followed with 17 shots in the second and six shots in the third before heading to overtime.

Through three periods of regulation, Michigan Tech led UAH 34-13 in shots on goal, and the Huskies continued to pound the net with 18 shots on goal in the first overtime, 14 in the second and 10 in the third.

However, MTU's Tyler Heinonen netted the game-winning goal at 18:49 of the third overtime period to send the Huskies to a 1-0 victory in the opening game of the three-game set. Mark Auk was credited with an assist on the score.

UAH finished the contest with 32 shots on goal, led by freshman Max McHugh with six shots on goal. Cody Marooney and Jack Prince followed the WCHA All-Rookie honoree with five shots on target apiece.

The Chargers and Huskies will matchup for the second game of the WCHA playoff series tomorrow at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena with a 6 p.m. puck drop.