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 Derek Bachynski was the No. 1 star with a goal and two assists. |
Feb. 19, 2006
DETROIT - The Wayne State University men's hockey team (6-18-6 overall, 3-8-5 CHA) snapped a seven-game (0-5-2) winless streak with a 3-2 victory over visiting Niagara University (15-14-1 overall, 9-6-1 CHA) Saturday evening at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum.
The Warriors scored the lone goal of the opening stanza, and the lone non power-play goal of the game, at the 7:38 mark as sophomore forward Derek Bachynski (Belle River, Ont./Leamington Flyers) scored his third goal in the last four games. Bachynski's seventh of the campaign was assisted by classmate Stavros Paskaris (Dearborn, Mich./Kewadin Indians) and senior blueliner Steve Kovalchik (Riverview, Mich./Omaha Lancers).
The scoring play started with a save by WSU goalie Matt Kelly, during a Warrior power play, (Hull, Mass./Topeka Scarecrows) and freshman defenseman Matt Krug (Livonia, Mich./Texas Tornado) firing the puck around the boards with Kovalchik deflecting the puck to Paskaris.
Niagara tied the game at one 6:20 into the middle frame as Les Reaney redirected a Justin Cross pass behind Kelly. Sean Bentivoglio also assisted on the Purple Eagle power-play marker.
Wayne State regained the lead with 3:42 left in the second period as Adam Krug (Livonia, Mich./Sioux City Musketeers) ripped a shot past NU netminder Jeff Van Nynatten off assists from Jon Grabarek (Sterling Hts., Mich./Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and Bachynski.
WSU increased its lead to 3-1 with just 1:52 remaining before second intermission as Jason Baclig (Leamington, Ont./Leamington Flyers) put a centering pass from Adam Krug behind Van Nynatten for his first game-winner of the season. Bachynski also assisted on the play for his second three-point game in the last month.
Niagara cranked it up in the third period outshooting WSU 11-5 and scoring the lone goal of the frame.
Reaney scored his second power-play goal of the game, this one a four-on-three, at the 5:11 mark from Ted Cook and Randy Harris.
Cook was assessed a five-minute major for spearing and a game misconduct with 3:43 left to play. NU coach Dave Burkholder pulled Van Nynatten twice in the final 2:47 but the Warriors were able to hold for the victory.
Kelly made 20 saves including 10 in the third period, while Van Nynatten stopped 18 WSU shots.
Wayne State went two-for-seven on the power play with the Purple Eagles scoring twice in six opportunities.
The Warriors travel to Alabama-Huntsville for a two-game College Hockey America series on Feb. 24-25 before returning home to host Air Force in the final regular-season series on March 3-4.
