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 Mark Cannon scored WSU's lone goal in the CHA semifinal loss to Niagara. |
March 13, 2004
Kearney, Neb. - The Wayne State University men's hockey squad (9-24-3) had its eight-game conference winning streak come to an end with a 2-1 setback versus second-seeded Niagara (20-14-3) Saturday evening in the second semifinal of the College Hockey America tournament.
WSU had won the three previous CHA tournaments (2001 in Huntsville, 2002 in Niagara and 2003 in Kearney) but lost 12 players following the 2002-03 campaign to graduation.
In the 2004 CHA semifinal, a rematch of last year's game that WSU rallied for a 6-4 by scoring five times in the third period, the sixth-seeded 2003-04 Warriors were tied 1-1 after 20 minutes for the second consecutive night against a higher-ranked opponent. The Purple Eagles held a 14-9 advantage in shots on goal during the opening stanza.
WSU freshman Mark Cannon (River Rouge, Mich./Compuware Ambassadors) scored on a slapshot from the top of the right face-off circle 9:55 into the contest giving WSU a 1-0 lead. NU tied the game with 2:21 remaining in the opening period when Jordan Meloff won an offensive zone face-off back to Paul Muniz who fired a high shot into the top of the net behind a screened Matt Kelly (Hull, Mass./Topeka Scarecrows).
Neither team was able to score in the second period with WSU recording a 10-7 advantage in shots during the stanza despite Niagara having two power play opportunities.
In an up-and-down third period, WSU held a 14-13 lead in shots on goal but it was the Purple Eagles who got the bounce of the puck. At the 8:59 mark of the period, NU's Nick Kormanyos circled behind the WSU net with the puck and threw a pass across the crease that bounced in off the skate of Travis Rycroft.
Wayne State was able to get an extra skater on the ice for the final 41 seconds but were unable to get the puck past Niagara netminder Jeff VanNynatten.
Both goalies finished the contest with 32 saves. WSU went zero-for-three on the power play, while stopping all Niagara man-advantage opportunities.
It was the final collegiate game for Warrior seniors Chris Vail, Matt Milanowski, Aaron Hundt, Nick Stodgell, Travis Rycroft and Marc Carlson.
In the two CHA tournament games this weekend, 13 Wayne State skaters plus goalie Matt Kelly made their collegiate post-season debuts.
