MANKATO, Minn. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team fell in the WCHA series opener on Friday night by a 5-1 score to No. 7 Minnesota State on Friday night at the Verizon Wireless Center. UAH dips to 6-11-2 (5-6-2 WCHA), while MSU improves to 12-5-0 (10-3-0 WCHA).
 
Turning Point
- Minnesota State's 5-1 victory was carried by a three-goal second period that included a goal by Josh French at 5:00 followed by tallies from CJ Seuss at 12:43 and 17:24.
 
Scoring Breakdown
- Both sides would go scoreless in the opening stanza on Friday, highlighted by 14 early saves by UAH netminder Jordan Uhelski.
- MSU broke through the scoreless tie on French's first goal of the season at 5:00 followed by markers by Seuss at 12:43 and 17:24 of the second period.
- The Chargers ended the Mavericks shutout bid at 5:00 of the third period as Tyler Poulsen scored his fifth of the season thanks to assists by Brandon Parker and Brandon Salerno.
- However, MSU pushed its lead with goals by Nicolas Rivera at 5:50 and Walker Duehr at 6:50 to bring the game to its 5-1 final.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Uhelski's record dipped to 6-8-2 in goal after allowing five goals, despite registering a game-high 36 saves in the contest.
- The Chargers totaled 15 shots on goal as a team, paced by Kurt Gosselin with a team-high three shots on target.
- UAH went scoreless in five power play opportunities, while holding MSU to one goal in six power play chances that included a five-minute major caused by a Richard Buri penalty in the second period.
- The Blue & White combined for 24 blocked shots, led by Cody Champagne and Gosselin with four blocks each.
 
Noteworthy
- Poulsen has scored a goal in back-to-back games for the first time this season, and he's now ranked second on the roster with 15 points (5g-10a).
- The Chargers' 24 blocks are a season-high for the team.
 
Next Time Out
- UAH and Minnesota State wrap up the WCHA series on Saturday at 7:07 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Center.