Dec. 15, 2006

Detroit, Mich. -

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Wayne State opens conference play when it welcomes Niagara to City Ice Arena on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17. Game times are set for 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively.

The Series
Niagara leads the all-time series, 14-6-0. The Purple Eagles also won last year's series, 3-2-0, including a 4-3 overtime win in the conference semifinals on March 9. Wayne State won both meetings at home last season.

Behind the Bench
Jim Fetter is in his fourth season at Wayne State and has a record of 48-58-12.

In her eighth season at Niagara, Margot Page has a record of 114-116-24.

Scouting the Warriors
Wayne State split last weekend against visiting No. 9 Princeton, winning on Friday, 4-2, and losing on Saturday, 1-0. The win was the program's first over a ranked opponent and was the first victory against the Tigers, who lead the all-time series, 4-1-1.

In the opener, after spotting Princeton a 2-0 lead late in the second period, the Warriors scored four unanswered, including three in the third period, for the come-from-behind win. Sophomore forward Sam Poyton led the charge with two goals and freshman forward Brandi Frakie notched her second-career game-winner. Junior netminder Valery Turcotte made 37 saves for her fourth win this season and 22nd in her career.

Game two saw a goaltender dual as Turcotte made 24 saves and Tiger Kristen Young made 26. The only goal in the contest came in the second period as Marykate Oakley scored short-handed.

Sophomore forward Melissa Boal leads the team in goals (14), points (22), and power-play goals (9), while classmate Lindsay DiPietro is tops with 12 assists. Turcotte has accumulated a record of 4-8-0, a 3.23 goals-against average, and a .894 save percentage, while junior Tiffany Thompson has a record of 2-2-0, a 3.80 goals-against average, and a .845 save percentage.

Wayne State has converted 21-of-88 (.239) power-play opportunities and have killed off 58-of-78 (.744) opponent chances.

Scouting the Purple Eagles
After starting the season 4-4-2, Niagara is winless in its past eight games (0-6-2), including two losses last weekend at Clarkson, 5-0 and 2-1. The Purple Eagles have not won since earning a 6-3 victory at home against Northeastern on Nov. 5. Their longest dry spell without a win was from Nov. 22-Jan. 11, 2003, when the team went 0-10-1.

The Purple Eagles are led in scoring by sophomore forward Ashley Riggs with 10 points. Riggs is also tops in power-play goals with four, while senior forward Chelsea Donovan leads the team with six assists.

Senior Allison Rutledge has started every game for Niagara and has a record of 4-10-4, a 2.63 goals-against average, and a .917 save percentage. Freshman Jill Zelonis saw her first collegiate action in the third period on Friday, stopping all six shots she faced.

Niagara has converted 14-of-109 (.128) power-play opportunities and have killed off 99-of-116 (.853) opponent chances.

Up Ahead:
Wayne State will open the 2007 portion of the campaign as it welcomes Colgate to City Ice Arena on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 5-6, at 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively.