UAH (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) at No. 20 Ferris State (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA)
WHEN	Saturday, Oct. 1 at 4:07 p.m. | Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2:07 p.m.
WHERE	Big Rapids, Mich
FOLLOW	Live Stats | Video | Game Notes
SOCIAL MEDIA	Twitter (@GameDayUAH)

 
A NEW SEASON: UAH opens the 2016-17 season in WCHA play for the first time in program history with a two-game set slated for this Saturday and Sunday in Big Rapids, Michigan against NCAA Tournament participant Ferris State. Puck drops at 4:07 p.m. CST on Saturday, while the series finale is scheduled for 2:07 p.m. CST on Sunday.
 
LOOKING BACK: The Chargers improved their overall winning percentage for the third consecutive season under head coach Mike Corbett, as the Blue & White finished the season with a 7-21-6 overall record and a 5-17-6 WCHA mark. UAH totaled 2.1 goals per game, 23.2 shots per game, and a 3.07 goals against average, which were all improved in comparison to the 2014-15 campaign.
 
PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS: UAH was voted to finish ninth in the WCHA in both the Mankato Free Press coaches' poll and the Bemidji Pioneer media poll this past week, with Max McHugh receiving votes for Preseason WCHA Player of the Year along with Austin Beaulieu and Connor James earning nods for Preseason WCHA Newcomer of the Year.
 
BETWEEN THE PIPES: Matt Larose enjoyed a successful junior campaign in 2015-16, as the Nanaimo, British Columbia, native posted a record of 5-7-4 with a .921 save percentage and a 2.60 goals against average. Larose ended the season ranked 27th nationally and fifth in the WCHA in save percentage.
 
LEADING THE OFFENSE: Max McHugh enters his junior season as the Chargers offensive leader for the past two years, owning a total of 45 career points from 19 goals and 26 assists. McHugh notched a career-best 15 assists last season, and finished the year ranked tied for 19th in assists in the WCHA.
 
SHORTHANDED SPECIALTY: A mainstay on the Chargers penalty kill unit, Matt Salhany has delivered four shorthanded goals in his career including a career-best two shorthanded markers last season. Salhany had one of his most productive seasons in 2015-16, as the senior posted 11 points (4g-7a) and was second on the roster with a +4 rating on the ice.
 
BULLDOGS PROFILE: Ferris State is coming off a successful 2015-16 campaign, in which the Bulldogs won the Broadmoor Trophy and reached the NCAA Tournament West Region finals. The Bulldogs return their leading scorer from a year ago in Gerald Mayhew (16-25—41), while Darren Smith enters his sophomore season in goal after turning in a 2.33 goals against average and a .919 save percentage in 31 starts.
 
SERIES HISTORY: UAH is 3-13-1 all-time against Ferris State and 1-8-1 when visiting Big Rapids, Michigan. Last season on Jan. 15-16, the Chargers and Bulldogs skated to a 3-3 tie in the opener while FSU took the edge in the finale with a 4-1 win.
 
LOOKING AHEAD: Following the season-opening weekend at Ferris State, UAH will continue its three-series road swing to start the year with a trip to Hockey East affiliate UConn on Oct. 7-8. The Chargers and Huskies split the series last season in Huntsville on Oct. 9-10 with UConn earning the win in the opener and UAH taking the finale.