Big weekend for men's hockey

Warriors get three points against No. 17 Niagara

Sports Staff

Wayne State finally pieced it all together during a conference game, upending Niagara 6-1 Friday night at the Michigan State Fairgrounds.

The Warriors put in a similar effort and settled for a 4-4 tie against the No. 17 Purple Eagles.

Friday:

The Warriors came out in the first period ready to play, taking the early lead off Jason Bloomingburg's ninth goal of the season, then adding to it with Mike Forgie's power play tally at 18:03.

Jared Katz's ninth goal of the season put the Warriors up by three headed into the second period.
To open the second period, Adam Drescher added to WSU's lead on a two-on-one break.

The Purple Eagles finally put themselves on the board off a power-play goal by Ted Cook, who notched his nation-leading 28th goal and 18th power-play goal.

That would be the only goal let in by WSU goalie Will Hooper, who made 20 saves in his third win of the season.

Nate Higgins and Bloomingburg each netted a goal in the second period to extend the Warriors' lead to five.

Niagara split the night between two of their goalies, Juliano Pagliero and Allen Barton. Pagliero made nine saves and allowed six goals. Barton made 10 saves in 28:50 minutes of relief.

Saturday:

Earning three points on the weekend, Wayne State improved to 9-20-1 overall and 5-10-1 in the CHA.

Niagara stayed two points behind Bemidji State (with two games in hand) after the Beavers split with Alabama-Huntsville and has now lost three of four after Robert Morris swept BSU Feb. 9-10.

Saturday:

Entering the third period down two goals, it was WSU who battled back to force overtime.

Bloomingburg and Jon Grabarek would score a pair of power-play goals in the third period to tie the game at four. Both teams were unable to capitalize in overtime, resulting in a tie.
A power-play goal by Jared Katz at 2:08 in the first period put the Warriors on the scoreboard early.

Matt Caruana answered with a power-play goal of his own at 15:35 to tie the score at one.
WSU forward Grabarek netted his first of two goals at 4:31 in the second period to put the Warriors back ahead by one.

Niagara answered with a pair of power-play goals from Egor Mironov and Ted Cook. It would be Cook's 29th goal of the season. The Purple Eagles led at the end of the second period, 3-2.

Caruana would net an early goal for Niagara in the third period, putting his team up by two goals before WSU tied the game off its two power-play goals.

Brett Bothwell was in net for the Warriors, ending the game with 27 saves. Barton played the full 65 minutes for Niagara with 24 saves.

The South End, February 19, 2007