BIG RAPIDS, Mich. | For the first time since the 2001-02 campaign, The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team opened the season with a series sweep as the squad upended No. 20 Ferris State by a final score of 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at Ewigleben Ice Arena.
 
Turning Point
- After heading into the third period with a one-goal lead, Brennan Saulnier's first goal of the season at 6:33 of the third extended the UAH lead to 4-2 and proved to be the game-winner for the series sweep. Saulnier's goal was assisted by Huntsville native Josh Kestner, which was his second helper of the series.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Ferris State took the first lead on Sunday afternoon as Tyler Andrew converted a power-play chance at 10:45 of the first.
- UAH quickly bounced back to tie the contest, with Matt Salhany evening the tally at 1-1 with a backhanded marker at 11:17 of the first. Both Brandon Salerno and Jordan Larson were credited with their first career assists on the play.
- However, Ferris State would regain the lead at 2-1 36 seconds into the second half on a goal by Gerald Mayhew.
- The Chargers later tied the contest against at 2-2 as the Blue and White's captain Brent Fletcher pushed past his first goal – a shorthanded marker – of the season at 11:04 of the middle period. Fletcher was assisted by Cody Marooney on the play.
- UAH was able to take the lead on a go-ahead, power play goal by Max McHugh at 17:21 of the second. McHugh's goal was assisted by both Kurt Gosselin and Cam Knight.
- The Chargers totaled 26 shots on goal in the contest, led by McHugh and Marooney with five shots on target apiece.
- Matt Larose improves to 2-0-0 in net after posting 29 saves in the finale.
- UAH held Ferris State to just one goal in seven power-play opportunities.
 
Noteworthy
- This was the first time in UAH's Division I history that the Chargers have swept a ranked opponent.
- Max McHugh has now scored in two straight games, which he did once last season and it coincidentally fell on the season-opening series last season against UConn on Oct. 9-10.
- Marooney's goal was his second career shorthanded marker, as the senior notched one shorthanded goal in 2014-15.
- The season-opening sweep was the first sweep for UAH at Ferris State in program history.
- This is the first time in program history UAH has started WCHA play with a 2-0-0 record.
 
Next Time Out
- The Chargers return to action next Friday and Saturday with a trip to UConn for a two-game, nonconference tilt. UAH and UConn split a series in Huntsville last season.