March 5, 2007

Two Wayne State men's hockey players earned recognition from College Hockey America for their performances last weekend at Robert Morris. Senior forward Nate Higgins (Calgary, Alb./Green Bay Gamblers) was named Offensive Player of the Week, and forward Jared Katz (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Baystate Breakers) garnered Rookie of the Week honors.

Higgins enjoyed a five-point weekend at Robert Morris, including his second four-point game of the season in Friday's 5-2 victory. His first of two goals gave Wayne State a 2-1 lead late in the second period, and he added an empty-net insurance goal at the end of the game. He also recorded two assists, including one on the game-winning power-play goal.

Higgins scored his third goal of the series on Saturday, netting the first tally of the game in the 5-4 win. He was +2 in the series with a team-high nine shots on goal.

Jared Katz

Katz, who earned his fifth Rookie of the Week award of the season and third in the last four weeks, assisted on the game-winning power-play goal on Friday, and netted the game-winner himself in the third period on Saturday. He totaled four shots on goal and had an even plus/minus rating for the series.

Wayne State will face Alabama-Huntsville in the first round of the College Hockey America Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, March 9 at 8:00 p.m. The winner will battle CHA regular-season champion Niagara on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.