HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Northern Michigan University (9-8-5, 6-7-4 WCHA) fell to Alabama-Huntsville by a 3-2 final in the series finale.  The Wildcats battled back from a 2-1 first period deficit but a Charger goal in the third period proved to be the difference. 

Alabama-Huntsville was able to get on the board first when Frank Misuraca scored with an assist to Brennan Saulnier at the 9:16 mark.  Junior defenseman Barrett Kaib answered at the 13:03 mark when sophomore forward Casey Purpur won a face-off that Kaib sniped into the back of the net from the point.  The assist gave Purpur his first career point in an NMU sweater, while the goal was Kaib's second on the season.  The Chargers were able to retake the lead on the power play at the end of the period when Chad Brears lit the lamp with assists to Brandon Parker and Jeff Vanderlugt.

Huntsville led in shots in the opening period 13-11 over the Wildcats with sophomore goalie Mathias Dahlstrom turning away 11 shots.

The second period started out even when at the 11:35 mark a tripping penalty on senior defenseman Jake Baker gave UAH an opportunity at a penalty shot.  Dahlstrom would turn away the Matt Salhany shot sparking the Wildcats.  The Wildcats then went on to even the score at the 18:08 mark when sophomore defenseman Brock Maschmeyer fed the puck ahead to freshman forward Zach Diamantoni who slid it across to junior forward Darren Nowick who buried the puck.  The sixth goal on the year for Nowick put the score at 2-2, which would stand the remainder of the period.

The Chargers once again outshot the Wildcats in the second period by an 8-5 margin with Dahlstrom saving all eight shots.

The Wildcats would get the first opportunity in the third period after a double-minor on Brandon Parker, but an interference penalty on freshman forward Robbie Payne led to some four-on-four hockey.  The Chargers found the back of the net shortly after when Richard Buri scored off a face-off win from Max McHugh.  The Buri goal would stand the remainder of the game as UAH took the 3-2 win.

NMU outshot Huntsville 11-4 in the period and finished the game with 27 shots to the UAH 25.  Dahlstrom finished the contest with 22 saves with the Wildcat power play finishing 0-3.

Northern Michigan next travels to Penn State for a non-conference series Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 24 at 4:30 p.m.  The finale of the series will be featured on the Big Ten Network.