MARQUETTE, Mich. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville seventh-seeded hockey team dropped the WCHA playoff quarterfinal round opener to second-seeded No. 19 Northern Michigan by a final score of 7-1 on Friday night at Berry Events Center. UAH dips to 11-22-2, while NMU improves to 22-12-3.
 
Next Time Out
- UAH and Northern Michigan match up in game two of the best-of-three WCHA playoff series on Saturday at 6:07 p.m. CT at Berry Events Center.
 
Turning Point
- Northern Michigan's offense started strong in the first game of the playoffs with four goals in the initial nine minutes of the opening period on the way to the 7-1 win for the hosts.
 
Scoring Breakdown
- A shorthanded tally at 1:59 of the first by Troy Loggins gave the Wildcats the first lead, followed by a trio of goals in the opening period by Demico Hannoun at 4:47, Robbie Payne at 5:35 and Denver Pierce on the power play at 8:50 to put NMU ahead 4-0 heading to intermission.
- UAH steadied the contest for the majority of the second until NMU's Pierce struck on the power play again at 17:19 to make it a 5-0 lead for the Wildcats.
- The Wildcats capped off their scoring effort in the third period with two more goals by Philip Beaulieu at 6:51 and Payne at 7:20.
- The game was brought to its final score of 7-1 with a late UAH goal at 18:58 by Brandon Parker with assists by Madison Dunn and Josh Kestner.
 
Inside the Box Score
- UAH starting goalie Jordan Uhelski took the loss, after allowing four goals in the initial nine minutes of play. His record dips to 11-17-2.
- Freshman Mark Sinclair came on in relief of Uhelski between the pipes in the second, posting 28 saves and three goals allowed over 51:10 in goal.
- The Chargers had 13 shots on goal in the loss, led by freshman Levi Wunder with a team-high three shots on goal.
- Tyler Poulsen and John Teets also had two shots on net apiece.
 
Noteworthy
- Parker's goal was his first of the season.
- Kestner has contributed at least one point in each of the past eight series.