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 Mark Nebus scored in overtime for his first collegiate goal to defeat Brown. |
Dec. 27, 2003
Grand Forks, N.D. - The Wayne State University men's hockey team (5-8-2) scored the tying goal with just 24 seconds remaining in regulation and freshman Mark Nebus (South Lyon, Mich./Texas Tornado) recorded his first collegiate marker 1:40 into the sudden-death overtime period to hand #12 Brown (6-3-2) a 3-2 setback on Dec. 27 in the first of two semifinal games at North Dakota's Subway Holiday Classic at Engelstad Arena.
The Warriors, who were playing their first game since a 3-2 triumph at American International College on Dec. 13, never led in the contest until Nebus' goal. All five of WSU's wins this season have been by a 3-2 score with three of the victories coming in overtime (Nov. 14 at Findlay, Nov. 20 at Michigan State and Dec. 27 against Brown). Wayne State has won back-to-back games for the first time this year.
Brown, who led the nation in scoring defense entering the contest, scored first marking the 12th time in 15 games the Warriors had fallen behind 1-0. WSU had killed off a Bear power-play chance just past the halfway mark of the opening stanza, but Brown was able to keep the puck in the offensive zone and Brent Robinson scored his seventh of the season at the 11:21 mark.
Wayne State was not behind for long as freshman blueliner Dan Iliakis (Scarborough, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) blasted a shot past BU goalie Yann Danis with 7:48 left in the first period. It was Iliakis' second collegiate goal. His previous lamp-lighter was the game-winner on Dec. 13 at AIC.
Neither team was able to score in the middle stanza. The Bears regained the lead 7:48 into the third period when Brian Ihnacak scored a power-play goal. Brown had the second-best power-play efficiency in the country before the game.
The Warriors had a man-advantage opportunity late in the third period but were unable to get the equalizer.
With a minute left in regulation, WSU pulled its netminder, sophomore Matt Kelly (Hull, Mass./Topeka Scarecrows) and the move paid off. Senior captain Travis Rycroft (Penticton, B.C./Merritt Centennials) scored his second goal of the campaign with 24 seconds left off assists from freshman blueliner Taylor Donohoe (Richmond, B.C./Powell River Kings) and junior wing John Grubb (Burlington, N.D./Waterloo Black Hawks). Rycroft set a career-best with his sixth point of the year.
Nebus became the third different Warrior with an overtime goal this year (joining Nate Higgins and Grubb) with his marker off assists from freshman forwards Jason Baclig (Leamington, Ont./Leamington Flyers) and Higgins (Calgary, Alb./Green Bay Gamblers).
Kelly finished the contest with 23 saves, while Danis turned aside 20 WSU shots including one in overtime.
Wayne State went zero-for-five with the man-advantage, while Brown scored once in four chances.
The Warriors will play in Sunday's championship game against the winner of Saturday's second semifinal between Findlay/#1 North Dakota.
