Oct. 29, 2004

Photo Gallery

Senior Jared Ross had a hand in four of five goals as Alabama-Huntsville skated to a 5-2 victory over Yale in men's hockey.

Ross, who had 19 goals and 50 points last winter, had a goal and three assists to help UAH improve to 2-1 overall. The Chargers, who outshot the 0-1 Bulldogs 40-29, got 27 saves from junior goalie Scott Munroe. It was Yale's season opener and the first time in 40 regular-season games that Ingalls Rink (2,541 attendance) was not sold out.

Ross put the Chargers on the board first with a one-timer just 3:25 into the game. His shot sailed over Josh Gartner's shoulder.

Yale's Nate Jackson (1-1-2) cashed in on a power-play chance to even the score a little more than two minutes later. The junior winger flipped a high wrist shot through traffic that went over Munroe's shoulder.

Mike Salekin's shot from the blueline off a faceoff found its way into the upper corner of the Yale net 11 seconds after the Jackson goal to make it 2-1 UAH. Gartner (27 saves) never had a chance on this shot.

Yale freshman Blair Yaworski quickly experienced the highs and lows of college hockey late in the first period of his first outing. The left winger tallied a power-play goal on a rebound at 13:58 to even the score and then was tossed from the game (major/game misconduct) a few minutes later for hitting from behind. Amazingly, the Elis were able to kill off all five minutes of the advantage, which went into the second frame.

"I was disappointed that we were caught off guard by their intensity, determination and competitiveness. I know our guys have another level," said Yale head coach Tim Taylor. "We had too many turnovers in the neutral zone, and they got to more loose pucks than they should have."

Yale could not hold back Ross and the Chargers midway through the second. Brent McConnachie banged home a one-timer at 10:53 to make it 3-2 and then Bruce Mulherin (1-1-2) and Craig Bushey added goals to put the game away. The last two goals came with a man advantage.

All five goals were scored on Gartner, who was replaced in net for the final 20 minutes by senior Peter Cohen. And all the senior backup goalie did was make eight great saves and not let anything past him.

Cohen was certainly a bright spot for the Blue, and so was sophomore center Brad Mills, who added two assists.

The problem was that Yale allowed the visitors nine power-play chances (2 goals), including a pair of majors (the other to defenseman Matt Craig) and two bench infractions, and the Elis could not score at even strength.

Report filed by Steve Conn, Yale Sports Publicity Director