By Kat Whetstone · BIRMINGHAM, AL: The Charlotte Forty-Niners traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, for a back-to-back series against the Alabama Frozen Tide hockey program,…
BIRMINGHAM, AL: The Charlotte Forty-Niners traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, for a back-to-back series against the Alabama Frozen Tide hockey program, on October 30 and 31st, 2026. Charlotte’s most recent game was a 6-2 loss against Wake Forest , at home, late last week.
The starting lineup appeared as follows for October 30th’s game:
Kucera (#22) – McDowell (#2) – Owenby (#34)
Cheneski (#10) – Larson (#41)
Holman (#32)
Charlotte quickly got on their game, with goaltender Cam Holman making big saves early in the first period, such as multiple pad saves and a glove save; and the team dominating physical play. That effort was rewarded early in the second period, with Kyrstof Kucera (#22) scoring the first goal of the night. The night’s action primarily occurred in the third period, with the Frozen Tide scoring two goals within a minute of each other. Shortly thereafterwards, Connor McDowell (#2) scored the Niners’ second goal of the evening, tying the game. Overtime remained scoreless for both programs, which, per NCAA rules, brings the game into a shootout. Neither program scored in the first round. In the second and third rounds, Charlotte scored, while Alabama did not, which ultimately won the Niners the game.
On his goal, McDowell (#2) had to say, “That felt really good. We went down 2-1 after being up 1-0. It was a momentum change… [We] held out from that and got it in the end.”
As for October 31, the starting lineup looked as follows:
Kucera (#22) – McDowell (#2) – Owenby (#34)
Workman (#11) – Kucera (#12)
Vinti (#1)
On carrying the momentum into the latter part of the back-to-back, McDowell (#2) said, “[We] did a lot of good things yesterday that [we] want to carry over into today. Everybody’s definitely feeling good.”
That excitement carried over into the Halloween game, with several great scoring opportunities for both teams. The first period was scoreless, but early in the second, with 19:29 left, Alabama got the puck inside the net after an intense puck battle at the front. The Frozen Tide scored again with 6:04 left in the period, capitalizing on scoring chances. After that, the physicality of the game was amplified on both ends. With just seconds left in the second period, Alabama found a way to get their third goal of the period, which would be the game’s final score – 3-0.
The Niners head to Virginia next week for the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s M2 Showcase.