Nov. 16, 2007

Complete Release in PDF Format

WARRIORS HOST RPI: The Wayne State University women's hockey team returns home for a two-game series against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) this weekend. Both games will be part of doubleheader action with the WSU men's hockey team at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum. WSU leads the series 3-1-0 winning the last meeting, 3-2 (OT), Oct. 21, 2006. Wayne State enters the contest with a 6-4-0 overall record and 2-2-0 mark in home contests.

B2 NETWORKS: Both games between WSU and Rensselaer will be aired live on the WSU athletic site (www.wsuathletics.com) for the cost of $6 each through B2 Networks, a premier provider of reliable and secure international television and pay-per-view broadcasting systems. Their worldwide network of arenas, stadiums, local venues and data centers are currently in use to distribute live sports and events to personal computers, television screens, mobile devices and commercial venues around the world. Working with organizations such as the AHL, ECHL, NLL, IHL, USHL, NAHL, Arena Football Leagues, Fitness Universe and selected NCAA and NAIA conferences and member institutions, B2 Networks has established itself as a leader in innovative global direct to home, mobile and television broadcasting. For the B2 Networks' Programming Guide visit www.b2livetv.com, or for information about B2 Networks, visit www.b2now.com.

SCOUNTING THE ENGINEERS: Rensselaer is a member of ECAC Hockey League and enters this weekend series with a 6-4-1 record (1-2-1 ECAC). The Engineers are coming off a 3-0 shut out loss to #5 St. Lawrence (Nov. 10). Sophomore Whitney Naslund leads the team offensively with 11 points (two goals, nine assists) while junior Melanie Gullemette and freshman Allysen Weidner rank first on the team with five goals each. RPI is under the direction of head coach John Burke who is in his fourth season.

POYTON EARNS NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE HONORS: Junior Sam Poyton (Hamilton, Ont./Stoney Creek Sabers) was named was named U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) Division I Player of the Week edging out fellow teammates Melissa Boal (Pakenham, Ont./Ottawa Raiders) and Lindsay DiPietro (Manotick, Ont./Ottawa Lady Senators) to receive the honor for the first time in her career. She also was named CHA Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 12 ) for the second time in her career. Poyton led Wayne State with nine points (four goals and five assists) helping the Warriors to a series sweep at Northeastern. In game one, Poyton scored her second career hat trick (including the game winner) and added two assists for a team and game-high five points in WSU's 6-2 victory. In the Warriors' 7-2 game two win, Poyton continued her impressive offensive output with four points, scoring the game-winning goal with a team-high three assists. She also finished with a plus/minus rating of +7 for the two games.

RINK REWIND: WSU snapped its two-game slide with a couple of road wins, 6-2 and 7-2, at Northeastern in Matthews Arena (Nov. 10-11). The Warriors' offense enjoyed its highest two-game output of the season with 13 goals eclipsing the previous mark of 11 against Union (Oct. 19-20).

AMONG THE NATION'S BEST: Boal leads the nation in points-per-game (2.70, 27 total) and goals-per-game (1.60, 16 total). She also ranks third in power-play goals (.40 ppg, four total) and ninth in assists per game (1.10, 11 total). Poyton ranks second on the team with 22 points (10 goals and 12 assists). She leads the nation in power-play goals (.50, five total) and game-winning goals (5 total), is 4th in points per-game (2.20, 22 total) and assists-per-game (1.20, 12 total) and ranks 5th in goals-per-game (1.00, 10 total). DiPietro is second in the country in assists-per-game (1.70, 17 total) and fourth in points-per-game (2.20, 22 total). She is second on the team with 22 points (five goals, 17 assists).

EIGHT AND COUNTING: Boal and Poyton are currently riding eight-game point streaks in which both have accumulated 27 points (19 goals, 11 assists) and 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) respectively.

HIGH POWERED OFFENSE: The Warriors are ranked second in the conference and 11th in the country in scoring offense with 39 goals (3.90 g/gm).

FOUR OR MORE: WSU holds a 6-0-0 record when scoring four or more goals in a game.

THOMPSON SOLID IN NET: Senior goalie Tiffany Thompson (Dryden, Ont./Thunder Bay Queens) has won her last two games and holds a 3-1-0 record. Her .750 winning percentage ranks second in the conference and ninth in the nation.