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 Steve Kovalchik assisted on both Wayne State goals. |
Feb. 14, 2004
Plymouth, Mich. - The Wayne State University men's hockey team (6-20-2) concluded the non-conference portion of its 2003-04 schedule with a 5-2 loss to visiting Northern Michigan Wildcats (16-12-2) Saturday night at the Compuware Sports Arena.
NMU scored 1:48 into the contest on a goal by Matt Hunter. Zach Tarkir made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at the 12:28 mark. Wayne State had a 9-8 advantage in shots on goal during the opening period.
In the middle stanza, NMU outshot the Warriors 13-8 and outscored the hosts 3-1. Nathan Oystrick netted a power-play goal at the 13:32 mark and Rob Lehtinen added an even-strength goal just 61 seconds later.
Hunter completed the Wildcat scoring with a power-play goal at the 19:35 mark of the second period.
Warrior sophomore defenseman Greg Poupard (Jackson, Mich./Waterloo Black Hawks) scored his second of the campaign just six seconds into a Wayne State power play. Classmate Steve Kovalchik (Riverview, Mich./Omaha Lancers) and freshman Nate Higgins (Calgary, Alb./Green Bay Gamblers) assisted on WSU's first goal of the game.
Wayne State held an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal during the final period and scored the lone goal. Freshman defenseman Matt Boldt (Burnsville, Minn./Billings Bulls) scored his first collegiate goal with a blast from the blueline just five seconds into a power play. After Billy Collins (Enderby, B.C./Prince George Spruce Kings) won the draw to Chris Vail (Nashua, N.H./Vernon Vipers), Vail fed Kovalchik on the blueline setting up Boldt's one-timer.
WSU senior goaltender Marc Carlson (Hingham, Mass./Chicago Freeze) made 20 saves, while NMU netminder Craig Kowalski finished with 23 saves as both squads had 25 shots on goal. Wayne State went two-for-eight with the man-advantage, while the Wildcats scored three power-play goals in nine opportunities.
Over one period (25:36) of the game was spent with one team on the power play.
The Warriors begin the final stretch run before the College Hockey Tournament. Wayne State travels to Findlay for a 7:05 p.m. match-up on Saturday, Feb. 21. WSU's next home game will be on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2:05 p.m. against the Oilers.
