SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team stumbled in a 6-1 loss at No. 18 Lake Superior State to open play in the 2021 Western Collegiate Hockey Association postseason tournament at Taffy Abel Arena. UAH dips to 3-17-1, while LSSU improves to 16-6-3.
 
The Chargers offense was led Lucas Bahn with the lone goal by the squad on the night, as Bauer Neudecker and Joshua Corrow each picked up assists for one point in the contest.
 
UAH trailed early as Lake Superior State went on the board at 3:14 of the first period with a goal by Pete Veillette, which was followed up by a power-play tally by the Lakers Brandon Puricelli to give the hosts a 2-0 lead heading to intermission.
 
The Chargers slimmed the deficit to 2-1 with a power-play marker at 1:35 of the second period by Lucas Bahn, who wristed in a feed from junior captain Neudecker for the goal. This was Bahn's second goal of the season.
 
Lake Superior State went on to score four unanswered goals in the second period at 1:41 by Veillette, 13:50 by Lukas Kaelble, 16:20 by Alexandro Ambrosio and 18:40 by Miroslav Mucha.
 
Both sides went scoreless in the third period to bring the game to its final score of 6-1.
 
David Fessenden started in goal for the Chargers, turning in 14 saves with five goals allowed in 36:20 between the pipes. Derek Krall relieved the sophomore for the final 23:40 with one goal allowed and seven stops.
 
Fessenden's record drops to 3-10-1 in goal this season.
 
The Chargers made 14 shots on goal overall on Friday, led by Peyton Franics with three.
 
UAH looks ahead to game two of the WCHA playoff series at Lake Superior State on Saturday at 4:07 p.m. CT.