Feb. 8, 2003

Fraser, Mich. - The Wayne State University men's hockey team jumped two spots and into second place in the College Hockey America standings with a 6-1 triumph over visiting Bemidji State on February 8 at the Great Lakes Sports City Arena in Fraser, Michigan.

For the second consecutive night the Beavers scored first. Wade Chiodo tallied a power-play goal 7:25 into the contest off assists from Riley Riddell and Myles Kuharski.

The Warriors tied the contest at the 13:44 mark as senior Jack Redwood (Trenton, Mich./Compuware Ambassadors) scored an even-strength goal (came exactly two minutes after BSU's Kuharski was assessed a high sticking penalty) from classmates Marc St. Jean (Orleans, Ont./Hawkesbury Hawks) and Maxim Starchenko (Kharkov, Ukraine/Powell River Kings).

WSU went in front with 1:59 remaining in the first period as Redwood netted his second goal of the game and 10th of the season during a five-on-three power play. Freshman defenseman Steve Kovalchik (Riverview, Mich./Omaha Lancers) and St. Jean assisted. Redwood is one goal shy of equaling his career high set last season, while St. Jean has already set personal bests for goals (5), assists (11) and points (16) in a season.

A school-record 18 seconds later Jason Durbin (Trenton, Mich./Danville Wings) scored a man-advantage marker from linemates Dustin Kingston (Spencerville, Ont./Brockville Braves) and Derek MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Soo Thunderbirds).

In the second period, Wayne State scored the lone marker of the stanza when Billy Collins (Enderby, B.C./Prince George Spruce Kings) had his centering pass deflected by Bemdiji State goalie Grady Hunt right on to the stick of Jon Brink (Portage, Mich./West Michigan Warriors) behind the net. Brink circled around and roofed a backhand over Hunt for his fourth lamp-lighter of the campaign.

Durbin recorded his second goal of the game 2:40 into the third period while the Warriors were killing off a penalty. Kingston garnered his second assist of the night on the short-handed goal.

Durbin completed his second collegiate hat trick (first was January 12, 2001, at Niagara in a 9-6 WSU win) with a five-on-five goal at the 12:07 mark of the third period. Kingston equaled a career-best with three assists in the contest.

Redwood had his second multiple-goal game of the year, first since opening night (Oct. 25 versus St. Lawrence).

In his 100th game (and start), senior goaltender David Guerrera (St. Leonard, Que./Estevan Bruins) turned aside 25 of Bemidji's 26 shots with the lone goal against coming on a Beaver power play. Hunt made 23 saves on 29 shots in 52:07 before being replaced by Dannie Morgan following WSU's sixth goal. Morgan stopped the lone shot he faced in 7:53 of action.

Wayne State scored two power-play goals in six chances, while limiting Bemidji to one man-advantage marker in seven opportunities.

The Warriors have equaled their longest winning streak of the season (three games) and have an 8-1-2 record in 2003. WSU is now in second place with 16 points in the league standings based on a 7-3-2 conference record, while Bemidji drops to 6-5-3 in loop for 15 points. Wayne State will take a 14-12-2 overall record into next weekend's (Saturday - Sunday) CHA two-game set at first place Alabama-Huntsville (14-9-3, 9-1-2).