WEEKEND AHEAD: UAH is set for its final action of the 2016 calendar year as the squad heads north for the 26th annual Mariucci Classic hosted by Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota this weekend. The Chargers open the weekend on Friday against UMass at 4:05 p.m. CST, prior to wrapping up the Mariucci Classic on Saturday against Mercyhurst or Minnesota at a to-be-determined time. UAH last competed in the Mariucci Classic in the 2012-13 season, and came away with a pair of losses to Boston College and Air Force.
SUCCESS ON THE ROAD: Prior to being away from competition the past two weekends, UAH completed its third road series sweep of the season on Dec. 9-10 in its trip to Northern Michigan, coming away with a 4-1 win in the opener and a 3-1 victory in the finale. The Chargers are now in a two-way tie for fourth place in the league standings with 23 points on a 7-7-2 league record, while holding a 7-11-2 overall record.
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: The Chargers are amidst their strongest season since joining the Western Collegiate Hockey Association prior to the 2013-14 season, as the squad has a program-record 23 points and seven league wins in the standings thus far. UAH's current four-game road win streak ties the program-record set in 2004-05, and the Chargers hold a 6-1-1 record in WCHA road contests so far this season.
HOMETOWN LEADER: Huntsville native
Josh Kestner moved back atop the UAH offense with 16 points from six goals and 10 assists in 2016-17, after posting four points on two goals and two assists in the series sweep of NMU. Kestner – whose 16 points are a career-high – ranks tied for eighth in points (16) and tied for ninth in assists (10) within the WCHA.
REGAINING A GROOVE: Junior
Max McHugh has now scored in back-to-back series after netting his first goal in 10 games in the opener at NMU, which gives him 14 points from six goals and eight assists. McHugh enters the week tied for 16th in the WCHA in points (14), and leads the UAH roster with 59 career points from 25 goals and 34 assists.
FINDING THE NET: Brandon Parker has scored a goal in three consecutive games and in four of the last five contests, following a two-goal, one-assist performance in the sweep of the Wildcats. Parker now ranks third amongst UAH defensemen with nine points on five goals and four assists, while ranking tied for second in the WCHA with 45 blocks.
OFFENSE FROM DEFENSE: Cam Knight now ranks tied for first amongst UAH defenseman with 13 points on three goals and tied for the team-high 10 assists after notching an assist in the finale at Northern Michigan. Knight has provided a consistent offensive spark over the past two months, owning three goals and nine assists since Oct. 29 at St. Cloud State.
PACING THE SCORING: The Chargers leading goal scorer heading into the 26th annual Mariucci Classic is two-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Week
Kurt Gosselin, who has totaled seven goals and six assists for 13 points to rank tied for first for points among UAH defensemen. Gosselin's seven goals rank first amongst WCHA defensemen entering the week as well.
BETWEEN THE PIPES: Junior
Jordan Uhelski made both starts between the pipes for the second straight series, coming away with just two goals allowed and 47 saves for a .959 save percentage on Dec. 9-10 at NMU. This season, Uhelski owns a 5-4-2 record in goal and leads all UAH goalies with a 2.73 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.
MINUTEMEN PROFILE: UMass enters the weekend with a 4-12-2 overall record and a 2-7-1 record when playing in Hockey East contests, and the Minutemen will be the second HE opponent for the Chargers after playing at UConn on Oct. 7-8. The Minutemen's offense is paced by Austin Plevy with five goals and seven assists for 12 points, while Ryan Wischow has played the majority of time in goal for a .904 saves percentage and a 2.82 goals against average.
SERIES HISTORY: The Chargers are 1-0-0 all-time against the Minutemen, winning the first meeting between the two programs by a 5-2 score on Dec. 30, 2006.
