Chargers take first from Beavers

Jamie Gilliam, UAH Sports Information

	Scott Munroe

A battle of the top two teams in College Hockey America, the Alabama-Huntsville Charger hockey squad downed visiting Bemidji State 2-1 on Friday night at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center.

The Chargers got an early break in the opening period as senior left wing Bruce Mulherin (Red Deer, Alb.) scored the game’s opening tally shorthanded after Bemidji State’s goaltender Matt Clime misplayed a bouncing puck off the boards at 3:44. Crashing the net, Mulherin found a gaping net and put the puck in.

The Beavers wasted little time knotting the game back up cashing in on a Charger defensive turnover at 5:12 of the first ending senior netminder Scott Munroe’s (Moose Jaw, Sask.) shutout hopes as Tyler Scofield scored for BSU.

Senior center Chris Martini (Calgary) put the Chargers back in front with just over four minutes remaining in the first taking a pass from junior defenseman Shaun Arvai (West Lorne, Ont.) turning around 180 degrees and beating Clime five hole from just inside the blue line to give UAH a 2-1 lead.

The Chargers started out strong in the third period killing of the remainder of a five-on-three power play.

After UAH’s Brett McConnachie (Ajax, Ont.) was slammed by two BSU players into Climie a major melee ensued in front of the net with sticks and gloves flying between the two squads. Despite the skirmish only roughing minors were issued with unbelievably the Chargers ending up on the short end and on the power play.

Both teams failed to register a power play marker in the contest, as UAH went 0-6 on the game, while Bemidji State was held scoreless in 10 man-advantage opportunities. Munroe made 33 saves as UAH held on to improve to 13-8-2 and 9-3-1 in the CHA take over sole possession of first place. Bemidji State dropped to 13-9-3 and 8-4-1 in league play as Climie stopped 30 shots in the loss.

The two teams battle again on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Von Braun Center.

UAH-Bemidji State Box Score