Jan. 12, 2007

Stats

DETROIT, Mich. - The Wayne State men's hockey team emerged victorious, 2-1, in overtime on Friday night at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum.

Freshman forward Jared Katz (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Baystate Breakers) netted the game-winner at the 1:42 mark of the extra period, giving the Warriors their second straight victory at home, both of which came against CCHA opponents. It also marked Wayne State's first overtime game of the season.

After over 46 minutes of scoreless hockey, Ferris State freshman Aaron Lewicki broke the deadlock with his fourth goal of the season, collecting a rebound off the pads of WSU netminder Brett Bothwell (Red Deer, Alb./Yorkton Terriers). Matt Verdone and Jeremy Scherlinck, who initially shot the puck from the blue line, assisted on the play.

Wayne State elected to pull Bothwell in favor of an extra attacker with 1:35 remaining in regulation, and the decision turned out to be a wise one as Matt Krug (Livonia, Mich./Texas Tornado) tied the game with 29 seconds to go.

Senior co-captain Jason Bloomingburg (Canton, Mich./Texas Tornado) fired a shot from the left wing off Ferris State goaltender Mitch O'Keefe and followed in his own rebound into the corner. He skated behind the net and found Krug open at the right point, as the sophomore defenseman put in a slap shot over the right shoulder of O'Keefe.

Katz scored the deciding goal after Mark Nebus (South Lyon, Mich./Texas Tornado) and Jason Baclig (Leamington, Ont./Leamington Flyers) battled with FSU defensemen against the boards in the corner for the puck. Nebus was eventually able to get the puck out behind the net to Katz, who tucked it under the left pad of O'Keefe to collect his first career game-winning goal.

The game was largely a defensive battle, particularly through the first two periods, and both teams were held scoreless on their power-play opportunities in the game.

O'Keefe totaled 28 saves, including 12 in the third period, while Bothwell had 23 saves in his fourth victory of the season.

These two teams will meet again tomorrow night (Jan. 13) at 7:05 p.m. The game will again be preceded by the Wayne State-Mercyhurst women's hockey matchup at 3:30 p.m.