Feb. 21, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

WSU HOSTS #7 MERCYHURST FOR CHA SHOWDOWN: The Wayne State University women's hockey team will host #7 Mercyhurst in a two-game battle for supremacy atop the CHA Standings. WSU trails the all-time series with a 1-31-3 record. Earlier this season, the Warriors defeated the Lakers, 5-4 (OT), for the first time in school history and skated to a 2-2 tie, Feb. 8-9. WSU enters the contest with a 8-4-2 home record this season.

SCOUTING THE LAKERS: Mercyhurst enters the series with a 21-6-3 (6-1-1 CHA) overall record and is currently ranked #7 in both U.S. College Hockey Online and USA Today/USA American Hockey Magazine national polls. The Lakers are led by sensational sophomore forward Meghan Agosta with 59 points (36 goals, 23 assists). Agosta leads the nation in goals-per game (1.29, 36 total) and short-handed goals (.25, seven total) while ranking second in points-per game (2.11, 59 total), third in game-winning goals (eight total), fourth in power-play goals (.32, nine total) and ninth in assists-per game (.82, 23 total). Defensively, junior Natalie Payne anchors the blueline leading all defenseman with 22 points (three goals, 19 assists) which ranks 10th nationally for defenseman points-per game (.73).

"DOC" ANDREWS SCHOLARSHIP NIGHT: The Wayne State Athletics Alumni Association, in conjunction with the 90 Foundation, will be hosting a pre-game reception at Z's Villa (located at Woodward and Piquette) on Friday, Feb. 22 at 5:00 p.m. prior to the WSU women's hockey game against #7 Mercyhurst at the City Sports Center at 7:00 p.m. Finger food and beer will be provided. Z's will also offer shuttle service to and from the arena. Tickets are $10 for Wayne State alumni, former players and guests. All proceeds will support the Mark "Doc" Andrews Scholarship Fund, established by the Athletics Alumni Association. Please call Jeff Evans at (313) 993-4347 to reserve tickets. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door at Z's Villa.

PACK THE RINK NIGHT: Friday's game (Feb. 22) is "Pack the Rink Night". Student and fan transportation via bus from the Matthaei building to the City Sports Center will be available. The will also be a reception in the CSC banquet room at 6:30 p.m. prior to the beginning of the game.

WSU RECEIVES VOTES IN NATIONAL POLLS: For the second time this season, WSU received votes in both the U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) and USA Today/USA American Hockey national polls.

FOLLOW WSU HOCKEY ON TEAMLINE: All four remaining WSU home women's hockey games can be heard via Teamline for free. You can access Teamline at http://www.teamline.cc/teampage?teamcode=4820 in order to listen live to the audio webcast. This weekend's games will feature play-by-play by Tom Balog who has been voice of the Warriors for three years.

RINK REWIND: Last weekend, WSU spit a pair of games with visiting Robert Morris. In Friday's 2-1 setback (Feb. 15), the Colonials' defense led by Brianne McLaughlin held the high-power Warrior offense to just one goal en route to their first win over WSU in school history. On Saturday, Wayne State rebounded to win a 2-1 defensive struggle getting a goal from junior Lindsay DiPietro (Manotick, Ont./Ottawa Lady Senators) and the game-winner from junior Sam Poyton (Hamilton, Ont./Stoney Creek Sabres). 14 AND COUNTING: DiPietro is currently riding a school record 14-game scoring streak which eclipsed the mark of 12 set by Poyton earlier this season (Oct. 19-Nov. 24, 2007). DiPietro also is just two assists shy of the career century mark.

WARRIOR FRONT LINE AMONG NATION'S BEST: Members of WSU's top scoring line are ranked near the top in many national offensive categories. Boal is first on the team with 60 points (30 goals, 30 assists) and leads the nation in points-per-game (2.31, 60 total), is second in goals-per-game (1.15, 30 total), third in assists-per-game (1.15, 30 total) and short-handed goals per game (.12, three total). She also ranks seventh in power-play goals (.33 ppg, eight total), and 12th in game-winning goals (five total). Poyton is tied for second on the team with 59 points (32 goals, 27 assists). She leads the nation in game-winning goals (11), ranks third in goals-per-game (1.14, 32 total) and short-handed goals (.12, three total), fourth in points-per-game (2.11, 59 total), fifth in assists-per-game (.96, 27 total) and eighth in power-play goals per game (.29, eight total). DiPietro also is second on the team with 59 points (16 goals, 43 assists). She leads the country in assists-per-game (1.54, 43 total), ranks third in points-per-game (2.11, 59 total), 10th in short handed goals (2 total) and 17th in goals-per game (.57, 16 total). Sophomore Chelsea Burnett (Ridgeway, Ont./Stoney Creek Sabres) ranks 24th nationally in points-per-game for defenseman (.54, 15 total).

TEAM HITS NATIONAL MARKS: WSU ranks fourth nationally in scoring offense (3.86 g/gm) 12th in power-play percentage (18.6), ninth in scoring margin (1.00) and 10th in winning percentage (69.6).

LOGGING IN THE MINUTES: Senior Valery Turcotte (Jonquiere, Quebec/Royal Metabetchouan) is the all-time career leader in goaltending minutes played with 5249:08 passing Anna VanderMarliere (2000-04).

TURCOTTE HOT BETWEEN THE PIPES: Turcotte has a 10-1-2 mark over the last 13 games with 322 saves, 2.05 goal-against average, .923 save percentage and two shutouts. Turcotte also ranks 10th in the country with a .700 overall winning percentage. She set a career-high with a 11-game win streak (Jan. 5-Feb. 15).

BOAL IMPROVES CAREER SCORING STREAK: Boal has a career-high 13-game scoring streak which eclipsed her old mark of 10 set earlier this season (Oct. 19-Nov. 17, 2007). That streak ended prematurely as she was forced to leave the first game of the Colgate series (Nov. 23) due to injury before recording a point.