Alabama-Huntsville is the first team to qualify for this year's NCAA tournament. The Chargers were only 10-19-3 during the regular season, but played well and caught some breaks in the CHA tournament to qualify for the tournament. They came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat Wayne State in the first round of the tournament. Then they were able to upset conference champion Niagara 5-3 in the semifinal.
In the final, they drew Robert Morris, who upset second place Bemidji, and the Chargers were able to squeak out a 5-4 overtime victory.
UAH's record this year isn't pretty, and their results against quality competition is even uglier. Their only games against teams with a shot at making the tournament are an 8-1 loss to Colorado College, an 8-1 loss to Michigan, and a 3-1 loss to Minnesota at Minnesota's holiday tournament, which is probably best remembered as Tyler Hirsch's swan song with the Gophers.
Needless to say, I think the chances of an upset here are pretty slim. It's nice to see the kids down in Alabama get a chance at the Big Show though, especially since their future looks to be up in the air with the CHA slowly dying.
In the final, they drew Robert Morris, who upset second place Bemidji, and the Chargers were able to squeak out a 5-4 overtime victory.
UAH's record this year isn't pretty, and their results against quality competition is even uglier. Their only games against teams with a shot at making the tournament are an 8-1 loss to Colorado College, an 8-1 loss to Michigan, and a 3-1 loss to Minnesota at Minnesota's holiday tournament, which is probably best remembered as Tyler Hirsch's swan song with the Gophers.
Needless to say, I think the chances of an upset here are pretty slim. It's nice to see the kids down in Alabama get a chance at the Big Show though, especially since their future looks to be up in the air with the CHA slowly dying.