proud host of the
2012 NCAA Division I
Men's Ice Hockey
National Championship
in Tampa, Fla.
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Ice Hockey (0-0-0, 0-0-0) |
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Oct. 13 Blue/White Game, 2:05 p.m. Nebraska-Omaha Tournament Omaha, NE Oct. 19 Canisius, 4:05 Oct. 20 UNO/Manitoba, 4:05/7:05 2007-08 Schedule Final 2006-07 Stats 2006-07 Media Guide | |
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| 2007 College Hockey America Champions (Courtesy: Doug Eagan) |
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| 150 Commerative Posters to be given away at selection show party |
WUMP 730 AM/Comcast to carry NCAA Regionals
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Chargers set to take on Fighting Irish in opening round of NCAAs
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Championship T-shirts available for preorder
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| Chargers claim championship with OT shorthanded game-winner (Courtesy: G. Bryce Loshman) |
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| Nimmo | Salekin | Kalinchuk |
The Colonials came out on fire scoring power-play tallies at 6:35 and 9:02 of the opening frame. RMU then pushed the lead to 3-0 with a tally at 12:09 from Sean Berkstresser. RMU's Chris Margott rounded out the first period scoring with the third power-play measure at 16:43.
The second period saw the Chargers come out hard and finally get on the board when freshman Kevin Morrison (Mississauga, Ontario) scored with the man advantage from sophomore defensemen Scott Kalinchuk (Sylvan Lake, Alberta) and sophomore center Joe Federoff (Pittsburgh, Pa.) only 1:18 into the stanza. The Charger power play pulled it to a three-goal lead at 4-2 minutes later when senior center David Nimmo (St. Albert, Alberta) skated in front and scored from fellow seniors Mike Salekin (Castlegar, British Columbia) and Shaun Arvai (West Lorne, Ontario).
In a scene similar to Saturday's contest where UAH scored with ten ticks remaining against Niagara, senior co-captain left winger Grant Selinger (Regina, Saskatchewan) found the back of the net from sophomore right winger Josh Muray (Terrace, British Columbia) and Nimmo drawing the Chargers within a goal.
The power play again powered the Chargers early in the third as Kalinchuk did the unthinkable bringing UAH back from a four-goal deficit with a blast from the left circle with assists from senior right wing Brett McConnachie (Ajax, Ontario) and Arvai.
Spectacular goaltending was the mark through the first part of the overtime period with both sides turning away key scoring chances. After going down a man on a hooking call to senior Grant Selinger (Regina, Saskatchewan) things looked bleak for the Chargers but Nimmo swiped the puck from an RMU defenseman and skated the length of the ice and slipped the puck past RMU's Christian Boucher to send UAH to the NCAA postseason for the first time since winning the Division II crown in 1998.
Earning all-tournament honors, freshman netminder Blake MacNicol (Milam, Ohio) played splendid in net making 29 saves in relief of senior Marc Narduzzi (Vancouver, British Columbia), who started the contest and allowed three goals and made one save. MacNicol was joined on the All-Tournament team by Morrison and Salekin as well as Nimmo, who garnered tourney MVP honors.
The first five seed in tournament history to win the championship, the Chargers are the first team in NCAA history to make the postseason with a losing record since Colorado College made the NCAA's in 1978 with a record 18-21-1. The Chargers are also the second team in CHA history to take three games in three days to win the tournament.
Regionals begin March 23rd in Rochester, N.Y., Grand Rapids, Mich., Manchester, N.H., and Denver Colorado. The selection show airs Sunday March 18th at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Chargers dethrone CHA champ Niagara to advance to CHA Tournament finals
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| Tanaka scores third-period insurance marker (Courtesy: Doug Eagan) |
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| Salekin | Murray | Narduzzi |
Things looked good for the CHA regular season champions early on as Niagara scored just 3:42 of the contest when Vince Rocco put the favorites on the board. The Chargers fought back just a few minutes later at 6:38 with a power-play counterpunch from senior defenseman Mike Salekin (Castlegar, Briitsh Columbia) from fellow seniors Shaun Arvai (West Lorne, Ontario) and Steve Canter (St. Louis). Ripping a shot from the right side, Salekin nearly replicated a goal he scored against the Purple Eagles in the final series of the regular season. The biggest highlight of the opening period came a few moments later when senior netminder made one of a handful of great saves as he stopped NU's Kyle Rogers on a breakaway after Rogers blocked a UAH shot.
Niagara countered with a power-play tally of their own to take a 2-1 advantage at 7:02 of the second when Egor Mironov scored for NU. Chris Moran gave Niagara a two-goal advantage with an even-strengthed tally exactly two minutes later but instead of deflate, the Chargers picked up their pace.
Just when the Purple Eagles thought they could breathe with a two-goal cushion, freshman left winger Kevin Morrison (Mississauga, Ontario) made it a 3-2 contest with his eighth lamp-lighter of the year from Canter and senior defenseman A.J. Larivee (Dublin, Ontario) 46 seconds later at 9:48. The Chargers then caught a huge break when NU goaltender Juliano Pagliero came out from net to play the puck behind the pipes and UAH caught him out of position. Senior left winger Grant Selinger (Regina, Saskatchewan) dug the puck out along the baseboards and fed it to sophomore right winger Josh Murray (Terrace, British Columbia), who pulled the game even putting the puck into the gaping net.
UAH then put home what proved to be the game-winning goal with only ten seconds remaining in the second as Niagara had a let down. Salekin put home his second of the night from Murray to put the Chargers out in front for good.
The late goal seemed to fire up the Chargers and deflate the Purple Eagles heading into the final stanza. UAH came out gunning for an insurance measure and missed on a few good chances early before freshman left wing Cale Tanaka (Stouffville, Ontario) picked an opportune time to score his first collegiate goal on a beautiful feed from fellow rookie Tom Train (Hurst, Texas). Niagara made a push through the middle part of the period to try and close the gap but Narduzzi stood tall shutting down the only power play opportunity NU had.
The Charger defense was stifling all night on Niagara's top scoring threats as UAH held NU's top line to only five shots all night and the nation's leading goal scorer, Ted Cook, to one.
Narduzzi stood tall making 35 saves in the win as the Chargers improve to 12-19-3 on the year and advance to the CHA championship on Sunday afternoon. Coverage will be provided by CSTV with faceoff slated at 2:07 p.m. against the winner of tonight's contest between No. 2 Bemidji State and No. 3 Robert Morris.
Chargers take overtime thriller in Des Moines to advance
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| Selinger | Rozman | Narduzzi |
Entering the game tied for the nation's longest unbeaten streak (seven games) the Warriors came out storming in the first period outshooting UAH 11-6. WSU's Dan Iliakis broke open the scoring in the contest at 15:27 of the frame from Taylor Donahoe and Derek Punches as freshman netminder Blake MacNicol (Milam, Ohio) was screened. Jason Baclig made UAH pay for their fifth penalty of the night when he gave Wayne State a two-goal lead just before the close of the stanza at 19:14.
WSU stretched it to a three-goal lead at 7:23 of the period as Jason Baclig scored from Nate Higgins and Jared Katz ending MacNicol's night in net as Charger skipper Doug Ross opted to bring senior Marc Narduzzi (Vancouver, British Columbia) in between the pipes. With the change in net, the momentum seemed to begin swinging in the Chargers favor as UAH picked up the pace on offense.
Charger freshman winger Tom Train (Hurst, Texas) finally lit the lamp for UAH with a wrister from fellow rookie Cale Tanaka (Stouffville, Ontario) and senior center Tyler Hilbert (Okotoks, Alberta) at 11:46 of the second. WSU carried the 3-1 lead into the break but the Chargers kept the pressure up and outshot the Warriors 15-9 in the period.
UAH senior left winger Dominik Rozman (Wallaceburg, Ontario) pulled the “Boys in Blue” to within a goal only 1:48 into the third with just his fourth goal of the season from fellow senior right winger Brett McConnchie (Ajax, Ontario). Rozman then lit the lamp for the second time in only a few minutes scoring yet again on a setup from McConnachie tying the contest at 4:14 of the third. Both teams' special teams units would have chances late in the contest as the Chargers killed off a 5-on-3 followed by another penalty only seven seconds later. Wayne State then returned the favor in the waning moments of regulation killing a hooking penalty in the final three minutes of action.
The overtime period saw both teams come out a bit tentative for the first few minutes of action. The Chargers caught a break nearly seven minutes into the extra frame when WSU's Tylor Michel went to the box for slashing. The ensuing power play for the Chargers proved to be the difference as UAH went to work getting several nice shots in on net. With only 15 seconds remaining with the man advantage, senior left wing co-captain Grant Selinger (Regina, Saskatchewan) put home his team-leading 16th tally of the season from McConnachie and fellow senior David Nimmo (St. Albert, Alberta).
With the win, the Chargers improve to 11-19-3 on the season and snap a 0-3 skid in overtime contests in CHA tournament play as well as the 18-game winless mark. Narduzzi picked up the win in net for UAH stopping all 16 shots he faced in over 40 minutes of action. MacNicol made 15 stops and allowed the three Warrior goals. Will Hooper made 34 saves in net as UAH outshot Wayne State 38-34 including 6-1 in overtime.
The Chargers advance to face top-seeded Niagara on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the semifinals of the tournament.
Ross to retire after 25 years behind Charger bench
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| Doug Ross |
"I have coached ice hockey for more than 30 years and I am very proud of my work here at UAH for the past 25 years," said Ross. "I'm proud of all of the accomplishments of the hockey team and will always remain supportive of the University mission and athletics department's goals. Many of our hockey graduates live in Huntsville and are very productive in the community. They have been great ambassadors for UAH and the state of Alabama throughout the years competing against the top NCAA teams in the nation and that is something I am extremely proud of."
"Coach Ross has served UAH extremely well, building a strong hockey program, bringing excellent student athletes to our university, and winning national championships along the way," said UAH President Dr. Frank A Franz. "We are deeply grateful to him for his distinguished service."
Chosen by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as the 1998 Sington Award recipient as collegiate Coach of the Year, Ross has been a driving force in the hockey community in Huntsville. The 1976 Olympian helped start the youth termite program in the "Rocket City" and has led numerous youth camps and clinics including those for the Huntsville Hockey Amateur Hockey Association (HAHA).
"I can't thank Doug enough for what he has done for the sport of hockey not only here at UAH but also in the community of Huntsville and the state of Alabama," noted Director of Athletics Jim Harris. "The foundation and tradition that he established here will certainly help us as we move forward in Division I ice hockey and finding a new head hockey coach."
The dean of coaches in College Hockey America, Ross' legacy began in 1982 taking over the reigns of the program from Joe Ritch. A top-tier club team, Ross kept the momentum going leading UAH to back-to-back club national championships in 1983 and 1984. Not soon after that, the UAH program was elevated to NCAA status and the success continued for the Chargers.
"As a personal friend for the past 25 years, I have admired his continuous efforts to elevate the UAH hockey from club to NCAA Division I status," remarked Ritch, now a member of the University of Alabama system Board of Trustees. "Doug brought UAH championships, unique notoriety, and national respect in the collegiate hockey world. We all owe Doug Ross a debt of gratitude for his commitment to UAH and hockey for this state. I look forward to the upcoming coaching search which will continue to ensure UAH hockey success."
UAH's success as the only NCAA hockey team south of the Mason-Dixon line continued under Ross' tutelage through the late 80's and early 90's as the Chargers spent time in both the Division I and Division II ranks of the NCAA. Ross' squads in the middle 90's ranked among the best in the nation as UAH won national titles in 96 and 98 and finished as runner up in 94 and 97. During that time, the Chargers were featured by Sports Illustrated, ESPN and the NBC Nightly News.
The 1998-99 season brought about a new era for the Charger program as UAH returned to the Division I ranks under Ross' leadership. During that time, the Chargers have continued their winning ways of members of the CHA winning a pair of league championships while competing against the best collegiate hockey teams in the nation.
"I thank the University for the opportunity to coach such fine outstanding young men as well as the UAH players, coaches and staff along with the Von Braun Center and local media for their support," said Ross. "To the fans and my many good friends in Huntsville, thank you for your friendship and continued support of me and the UAH program. I hope to remain living in Huntsville and possibly continuing on in a support role at UAH as well as working within the community."
In his 28th year of coaching, Ross has compiled a record of 503-297-43 (.622) after coaching one season at Ohio in 1976-77 and two seasons at Kent State from 1979-81. Ross' career mark in NCAA contests ranks him in the top-10 among active coaches in winning percentage and 19th all-time among NCAA coaches.
"During my career, I have placed an emphasis on loyalty, trust, team spirit and friendship and provided continuity," noted Ross. "I am 100% a UAH Charger and will continue to be a huge fan and supporter of the program."
A national search for the third coach in the history of the program is expected to begin right away by a search committee comprised of UAH staff, community members as well as members of the local hockey community. A press conference is slated for noon on Tuesday in the "Varsity Room" of Spragins Hall on the campus of UAH to discuss the direction of the Charger program.
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