March 23, 2007

Tim Prister
IrishIllustrated.com

? What: NCAA Midwest Regional
? Who: Notre Dame (31-6-3) vs. Alabama-Huntsville (13-19-3)
? Where: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich.
? When: Friday, 5:00 p.m. EDT

? Alabama-Huntsville vs. Notre Dame preview: No. 1-ranked Notre Dame was supposed to be here; the unranked Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville were not.

Notre Dame is closing in on two months as the No. 1-ranked team in the country; Alabama-Huntsville was the No. 5 seed in the College Hockey America tournament that won twice in overtime, including a 5-2 victory over No. 1 seed Niagara.

The Chargers are the only team in the regional not to be currently ranked. In other action Friday from the Van Andel Arena, No. 9 Boston University (20-9-9) takes on No. 10 Michigan State (22-13-3).

? Notre Dame-Alabama-Huntsville series: These two programs haven't squared off on the ice since the 1990-91 season when the Irish claimed 8-7 and 3-2 victories at the Joyce Center.

The Chargers hold an 8-7-1 lead in the series.

? Alabama-Huntsville head coach: Doug Ross is trying to retire. His hard-fighting Chargers won't let him.

Completing his 25th year as the head coach in Huntsville, Ross brought the Chargers to the national consciousness by winning two Division II national titles in the '90s (1995-96 and 1997-98).

Ross' 1995-96 squad went 26-0-3.

Ross, a 1976 hockey Olympian, has an overall record of 510-303-45.

? Alabama-Huntsville scouting report: The Chargers, the No. 5 seed in the CHA tournament, overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Wayne State (4-3 OT), a 3-1 hole to defeat No. 1 seed Niagara (5-3), and four first-period goals by Robert Morris (5-4 OT).

Alabama-Huntsville became the first team since Colorado College in 1978 to land a spot in the NCAA tournament with a record below .500.

When UAH defeated Wayne State in overtime in the CHA tournament, it snapped an 18-game winless streak in overtime games. The Chargers then went on to win another overtime game two nights later against Robert Morris.

The Chargers are led in scoring by senior centers David Nimmo (14-21-35) and Grant Selinger (17-16-33). Nimmo scored the game-winner in overtime to claim the conference tournament championship against Robert Morris. Selinger lit the lamp in overtime to defeat Wayne State.

Senior right wings Brett McConnachie (12-16-28) and Steve Canter (12-9-21) are UAH's other two double-digit goal scorers.

Providing pop from the blue line are senior defensemen Mike Salekin (7-16-23) and Shaun Arval (2-21-23).

UAH has used two goaltenders?senior Marc Narduzzi (8-15-2, 3.67) and freshman Blake MacNicol (4-1-0, 2.42).

MacNicol has played just seven games, but Ross turned to him after Narduzzi gave up three quick goals in the CHA championship game and the rookie helped nail down the victory. Yet it was Narduzzi who relieved MacNicol earlier in the tournament to keep the Chargers' hopes alive.

The Chargers are converting 20.3 percent of their power play opportunities, but they're also allowing a whopping 22.5 percent against them. UAH allows 3.83 goals per game.

? Common opponents: Notre Dame is 11-2 versus Army, Air Force, Bowling Green, Michigan, Robert Morris and Western Michigan?all opponents of the Chargers.

UAH is 4-8-1 versus common opponents.

? Jeff Jackson keys vs. UAH: "The most important thing against Alabama is that we play our game.?We have to dictate the tempo of the game and that will be an important part of how we approach the game.

"I keep telling them that there are some things here that we can't control, so you deal with the things you can.?A couple of things that you can work on are discipline. You'll be working with different referees. You're facing a new opponent. So you have to be able to react on the fly and make adjustments. Then add staying focused and keeping things in perspective. That will be important."

? Jackson on being wary of UAH despite their losing record: "The important thing to realize is that Alabama is here for a reason.? They won their championship. They've come from behind in five of their last six games to win, and they are on a bit of a roll.? They've had a week off to rest and prepare.

"We need to be concerned about them, but at this point you need to be concerned about every opponent."

(Notre Dame's sports information department contributed to this report.)