Dec. 31, 2005

Stats

Madison, Wis. - The Wayne State University men's hockey team (4-10-2) placed third in the 2005 Badger Showdown following a 6-3 triumph over Western Michigan (4-11-3) in the third-place game on Saturday afternoon at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.

The Warriors took an early 1-0 lead as junior left wing Jason Bloomingburg (Canton, Mich./Texas Tornado) scored five hole on Bronco goalie Daniel Bellissimo at the 1:56 mark. Bloomingburg's sixth goal of the season extended his goal-scoring streak to five games. Sophomore wing Derek Bachynski (Belle River, Ont./Leamington Flyers) recorded his first collegiate assist as he and Bloomingburg came down ice on a two-on-one.

The final 18 minutes of the first period were scoreless as both goaltenders stopped three power-play shots.

Wayne State scored three times in the first eight minutes of the middle stanza for a 4-0 lead. Freshman left wing Jon Grabarek (Sterling Hts., Mich./Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) went top shelf short side during a Warrior power play at the 1:30 mark off assists from senior blueliner Steve Kovalchik (Riverview, Mich./Omaha Lancers) and sophomore center Adam Krug (Livonia, Mich./Sioux City Musketeers). The helper for Kovalchik extended his assist streak to five games.

Junior center Nate Higgins (Calgary, Alb./Green Bay Gamblers) scored 61 seconds later as he went over Bellissimo's shoulder with a backhand. Higgins' seventh of the campaign was assisted by freshman forward Derek Punches (Manchester, Mich./Texas Tornado) and sophomore right wing Tylor Michel (Sudbury, Ont./Owen Sound Greys). The scoring play started when Michel's pass from the defensive zone found Punches at the offensive blueline. Punches wheeled around and fired a shot on net and Higgins outraced two Bronco blueliners to gather in Bellissimo's rebound.

At the 7:57 mark, freshman blueliner Matt Krug (Livonia, Mich./Texas Tornado) tallied his first collegiate goal with laser into the top corner from the high slot area. Junior defenseman Dan Iliakis (Scarborough, Ont./Georgetown Raiders) and junior wing Jason Baclig (Leamington, Ont./Leamington Flyers) earned assists on WSU's second man-advantage marker of the game.

Western Michigan battled back scoring twice in the final 6:06 of the second period.

The Warriors went into the third period with a 4-2 advantage in goals and a 22-19 lead in shots on goal.

Higgins recorded his second two-goal game in December as he scored on a nice backhand at the 6:45 mark off assists from Punches and Bachynski.

Late in the third period with the teams skating four-on-four, WMU pulled Bellissimo for an extra skater and the move paid off as Brent Walton scored with 2:10 remaining making it a 5-3 contest.

The Broncos pulled Bellissimo again, but Adam Krug's wrap around attempt found the back of the empty net with three seconds remaining to seal Wayne State's fourth victory in its last six games.

Warrior senior goalie Matt Kelly (Hull, Mass./Topeka Scarecrows) made 21 saves with Bellissimo credited with 22 saves.

Wayne State scored two power-play goals in six chances and has eight man-advantage markers in its last three games.

Western Michigan went zero-for-four on the power play.

The Warriors begin 2006 with a two-game non-league series at Michigan State. Face-off both Friday and Saturday nights at MSU's Munn Ice Arena is slated for 7:05 p.m.