Oct. 20, 2006

Stats

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Wayne State men's hockey team (0-3-0, 0-1-0 CHA) began conference play with a 4-2 setback at Alabama-Huntsville (1-3-1, 1-0-0 CHA) on Friday night.

Penalties were a major determining factor in the outcome of the game, as all four UAH goals came on power plays with Wayne State incurring a total of 14 penalties.

Jason Bloomingburg (Canton, Mich./Texas Tornado) made history with the first goal of the game, as he lit the lamp just 12 seconds into the opening period, the second-fastest goal to begin a game in WSU history. Stavros Paskaris (Dearborn, Mich./Kewadin Indians), who earned his third point in as many games this season, and Dan Iliakis (Scarborough, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) assisted on the play to put Wayne State ahead, 1-0.

UAH's Shaun Arvai knotted the score at one with a power-play marker at 11:11, with assists from Brett McConnachie and Mike Salekin. The first period ended in a 1-1 tie, despite a 12-5 shots-on-goal advantage in for the Chargers.

McConnachie gave UAH a 2-1 lead just nine seconds into the second period on a 5-on-3 Charger power play, but assistant captain Nate Higgins (Calgary, Alb./Green Bay Gamblers), playing in his 100th career game, tied the game three minutes later with his first goal of the season, assisted by Jason Baclig (Leamington, Ont./Leamington Flyers).

The game-winner came off the stick of Grant Selinger at the 12:24 mark, and Matt Sweazey added an insurance goal midway through the third period.

Alabama-Huntsville goaltender Jordan Erickson saved 24 of Wayne State's 26 shots on goal, while Warrior netminder Will Hooper (Woodbridge, Ont./Wexford Raiders) totalled 29 saves.

Wayne State will look to even the series tomorrow night, Oct. 21, at 8:05 p.m. ET.