Penalties the difference as Chargers swept in Colorado

Mike Anderson, UAH Sports Information

A myriad of penalties in the second period spelled disaster for the Alabama-Huntsville hockey team, as Air Force tallied five power play goals in the second period to take a 5-0 decision Saturday night in College Hockey America Play

The first period went by without scoring, despite the Chargers having a major power play opportunity when the Falcons' Mike Knaeble was sent off for checking from behind. Unfortunately, the Chargers could not take advantage and the game was scoreless after one period.

The floodgates were opened in the second period, as the Chargers just could not stay out of the penalty box. After Dominik Rozman (Wallaceburg, Ont.) was sent to the box for a cross-checking call, it took just seven seconds for the Falcons to get on the board as Josh Schaffer got the first tally of the game. After Tyler Hilbert (Okotoks, Alb.) took a slashing penalty, and Matt Montes (Forest Park, Ill.) was called for interference after knocking the Charger net off its moorings during an Air Force Rush, Brian Reese got the second goal of the game on a deflection after a five-on-three opportunity.

Another two-man advantage just under 80 seconds later resulted in a Michael Mayra goal. Montes again ended up in the box on an elbowing call, and Andrew Ramsey cashed in with another power play tally. The fourth goal of the period had the Chargers scrambling. Coach Doug Ross called timeout, and gave netminder Scott Munroe (Moose Jaw, Sask.) a breather for the remainder, as Marc Narduzzi (Vancouver) was called upon to help stop the bleeding. He could not, however, as a Kevin Galerno (Ayr, Ont.) penalty resulted in an Eric Ehn goal to push the lead to five.

Munroe was back in the nets to start the third period, and stopped all seven shots in the final frame. The Chargers failed to score, and Air Force goaltender Peter Foster earned the shutout on the 5-0 final.

It is the first time in the 22 year history of the series that Air Force has shut out Alabama-Huntsville. It is also the first time the Falcons have swept the Chargers in a weekend since 2001-02. It is the first time the Chargers have allowed five goals in a period since losing a 12-1 rout at Minnesota, when they allowed five in both the second and third periods. The last time the Chargers gave up five power play goals was an 8-4 loss to Niagara earlier this year.

The Chargers have fallen into a first-place tie in the CHA standings with Bemidji State after the Beavers swept Robert Morris in conference play. The Chargers return home for the final time this season to host Wayne State in a CHA weekend series.

The Chargers wrap up the home portion of their schedule this weekend as they host CHA foe Wayne State. Game times are 7:05 p.m. Friday and 4:05 p.m. Saturday.

UAH-Air Force Box Score