BOWLING GREEN, Ohio | The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team fell by a final score of 7-2 in the series opener to WCHA opponent Bowling Green on Friday night at the BGSU Ice Arena. UAH slips to 8-23-4 (7-19-1 WCHA), while BGSU improves to 20-10-5 (16-8-3 WCHA).

Bowling Green jumped out early with a marker 55 seconds into the game, as Mark Cooper put the Falcons ahead 1-0 with his fourth goal of the season. Cooper went on to add his second goal of the game at 12:14 of the first period on a power play, giving BGSU a two-goal advantage.

The Falcons scored quickly again in the second period, taking a 3-0 lead at 1:09 in the middle frame on a Dan DeSalvo goal. BGSU's Brandon Hawkins extended the lead to 4-0 at the 4:19 mark, before UAH head coach Mike Corbett relieved starting goalie Carmine Guerriero with Matt Larose.

Larose, who has started eight games this season, quelled Bowling Green's attack after taking over between the pipes for the Chargers in the second. The Nanaimo, British Columbia native compiled seven saves, keeping UAH within four through 40 minutes of play.

However, Bowling Green's offense persisted - totaling 37 shots on the night - with goals in the third period at 2:25 by Sean Walker, 3:58 by Hawkins, and 4:47 by Pierre-Luc Mercier on Larose to take a 7-0 lead.

UAH points leader Max McHugh kept the Chargers from being shutout in the series opener, as the freshman posted his team leading 11th and 12th goals of the season at 14:03 and 15:34 of the third period, respectively, to bring the game to its 7-2 final.

The Chargers managed a total of 19 shots on goal on Friday, led by freshman Brennan Saulnier with five. Sophomore Brandon Carlson paced the defense with three blocks during the contest.

UAH and BGSU will wrap up the conference series tomorrow night at the BGSU Ice Arena. Puck drops at 6:07 p.m. CST.