When the College Hockey America preseason poll was released, the UAH hockey team took exception to being placed second behind Bemidji State. After all, the Chargers had beaten the Beavers four out of the last five times, including a 10-4 spanking in the CHA Tournament semifinals.
The Chargers made a statement over the weekend with a 2-game sweep of Bemidji State in Minnesota. The Chargers won the first game 5-4, then completed the sweep with a 4-2 win on Saturday night.
The pair of wins improved the Chargers' record to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the CHA. In the series opener, the Chargers scored three goals in the first period and held on for the victory.
Freshman Scott Campbell scored his first goal as a Charger at 11:16 in the opening period to give UAH a 1-0 lead. After a BSU goal tied the game, Ian Fletcher gave the lead back to the Chargers with a goal at 16:04. Sophomore Darren Curry capped the first period scoring with his fourth goal of the season with less than a minute left in the first period.
After the two teams split goals in the second period, the Chargers saw their lead evaporate in the third period. The Beavers got a pair of goals from Daryl Bat early in the third period to tie the game at 4-4. Ryan McCormack restored order with the game winning goal at 13:23.
What was most surprising about the series opener was the lack of penalties. There were only five penalties in the entire game. This from two teams that during the 1999-2000 season, broke the UAH record for penalty minutes in a homecoming free-for-all.
Game two looked a little more familiar as the two teams combined for 55 penalty minutes and a game disqualification. When all was said and done, the Chargers would come from behind to earn their fifth win of the season.
The Chargers trailed 2-1 going into the third period. Kevin Ridgeway tied the game with a goal a little over three minutes into the final period. Jessi Otis got the assist on the play. A minute and a half later, the Chargers took the lead for the first time when Ryan Leasa and Dwayne Blais combined to feed team leading scorer Karlis Zirnis for the go-ahead goal.
With less than a minute left, the Beavers pulled their goalie in favor of an extra attacker. Joel Bresciani took advantage of the empty net to put the final nail in the coffin. It was the second empty net goal of the season for the Chargers.
Despite surrendering six goals during the series, Charger goalie Mark Byrne had 63 saves in the two games.
The Chargers will be back on home ice next weekend for a two game, nonconference series against Iona College.
UAH vs Bemidji State Game 1 Box Score
