Oct. 4, 2005

Stats

DETROIT - The Wayne State University men's hockey team began its 2005-06 campaign with an 8-0 exhibition victory over Oakland University's club team Tuesday night at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum, the new home of Warrior men's hockey.

Head coach Bill Wilkinson's squad had five different goal scorers, 14 of the 18 skaters recorded points, and all three goalies saw time between the pipes.

WSU started strong scoring three times in the first six minutes of the contest.

Senior John May (Livonia, Mich./Springfield Junior Blues) opened the scoring 69 seconds into the game off assists from linemates Mark Cannon (River Rouge, Mich./Ambassadors) and freshman Derek Punches (Manchester, Mich./Texas Tornado).

Junior Jason Baclig (Leamington, Ont./Leamington Flyers) added a power-play goal at the 3:13 mark to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead. Baclig's man-advantage marker was assisted by sophomore Tylor Michel (Sudbury, Ont./Owen Sound Greys) and freshman blueliner Matt Krug (Livonia, Mich./Texas Tornado).

Just over two minutes later sophomore center Mike Forgie (Scarborough, Ont./Stouffville Spirit) scored from just outside the crease. Baclig and junior Mark Nebus (South Lyon, Mich./Texas Tornado) assisted on the final goal of the opening stanza.

The lone goal of the middle period came just 40 seconds into the frame as freshman Jon Grabarek (Sterling Hts., Mich./Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) scored off assists from Michel and sophomore Adam Krug (Livonia, Mich./Sioux City Musketeers).

WSU starting goalie Matt Kelly (Hull, Mass./Topeka Scarecrows) stopped all 11 shots he faced in the opening 29:46. Junior Will Hooper (Woodbridge, Ont./Wexford Raiders) turned aside all seven OU shots he faced over the next 22:07. Kevin Bonikowski (Macomb, Mich./Brownstown Bombers) did not face any shots in the final 8:07.

Wayne State tacked on four goals in the final period including two by junior left wing Jason Bloomingburg (Canton, Mich./Texas Tornado). Grabarek and May each added their second of the contest.

Oakland goalie Chris Joswiak made 40 saves including double-digit totals in every period.

WSU commences the regular-season this Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Michigan State Spartans in the opening game of the 2005 Lefty McFadden Invitational being held at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.

The Warriors skate against tournament host Miami University at 5:30 p.m. in the final game of the invitational.

Wayne State's next home contest is Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7:05 p.m. versus the Guelph Gryphons. Admission is free for this game at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum.