Chargers get back on track after conference win

Jamie Gilliam, UAH Sports Information

	Josh Murray

The longest-running rivalry in College Hockey America resumed its series on Friday night as the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers held on for a 3-2 win over the Air Force Academy Falcons at the Von Braun Center.

The Chargers opened up the scoring just inside of five minutes into the second period when freshman center Matt Sweazey (Toronto) found sophomore right winger David Nimmo (St. Albert, Alb.) just inside the right faceoff circle. Nimmo walked the puck in toward net and fired as AFA’s Peter Foster got his glove up but the shot caromed off the mitt and into the net for the 1-0 Charger lead.

UAH senior netminder Scott Munroe (Moose Jaw, Sask.) kept the Falcons off the scoreboard until junior defenseman Billy Devoney skated in and ended the Chargers’ shutout hopes at 9:20 of the third. That tie was short-lived however as UAH won the ensuing faceoff and took the puck into the Air Force zone. Junior center Grant Selinger (Regina, Sask.) took the puck behind the net and blindly fired a back-handed pass out in front to a crashing Todd Bentley (Livonia, Mich.), who one-timed the puck past Foster a mere 12 seconds later.

UAH opened it up to a two-goal margin at 3-1 with 6:30 to play when freshman right wing Josh Murray (Terrace, B.C.) raced up the ice on a breakaway feed from sophomore left wing Derek Conter (Toronto) and just slipped a puck past Foster.

The Falcons were not done however as freshman right wing Mike Phillipich managed to make it a one-goal game at 15:49 of the third after a scrum in front of the net. Frank Serratore took a time out to pull his goalie for the final 96 seconds, but the Falcons couldn't find the equalizer with the extra man, and the Chargers pulled out the 3-2 decision.

In the win, Munroe made 24 saves as the Chargers improve to 7-7-1 overall and 3-2-0 in the CHA. Foster made 25 saves in the loss as the Falcons fall to 4-10-1 overall and 2-3 in league play.

The Chargers and Falcons battle again on Saturday night at 4:05 p.m. Tickets are still available and are good for both the UAH game and the Huntsville Havoc game that follows.

UAH-Air ForceBox Score