Warriors split with UAH

WSU rebounds with big Saturday win

Jeff Buck
Staff Writer

The Wayne State men’s hockey team looked to continue the momentum from their overtime win last Friday taking on the University of Alabama-Huntsville (8-18-2) this weekend at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum.

The Warriors split the weekend series, with the Chargers falling on Friday 3-1 and winning 4-1 on Saturday night.

Friday:

The Warriors found themselves down by only one goal entering the third period, but a goal by Grant Selinger sealed the deal for the Chargers, beating the Warriors 3-1.

It was a quiet first period, as both teams were unable to convert on either of their power play opportunities.

It was the second period that proved to be the most decisive with Scott Kalinchuck scoring a pair of power play goals for the Chargers, his fourth and fifth of the season.Wayne State, however, was able to tie the game at one after a goal from Nate Higgins (9) just outside the crease before Kalinschuck’s second power play score.

The Warriors took 24 shots on goal, 14 of them in the third period. Brett Bothwell (6-9-0) had 21 saves in the loss.

The Chargers also attempted 24 shots, taking 11 in each of the first two periods. Winning goalie Blake MacNicol (1-0-0) had 23 saves and only let in one goal.

The three stars of the game were UAH players Scott Kalinchuck and Blake MacNicol and WSU center Nate Higgins.

Saturday:

The Warriors scored first and often Saturday, with a pair of second-period goals that would prove to be enough to triumph over the Chargers 4-1.

WSU goalie Will Hooper took over the net and was phenomenal with 17 saves on the night.

WSU head coach Bill Wilkinson attributed the performance to Hooper’s hard work in practice.

“He realized that if he was going to get back in the net he needed to work harder,” he said. “His practice work ethic has improved about 20-30 percent from what it has been. Now, he’s at the level that we really need him to perform at and that’s indicated in the way he played tonight.”

The Warriors netted three goals in the second period, putting them ahead by two. After losing his stick, goalie Blake MacNicol attempted to save a shot from Dan Iliakis, but the puck found a hole, putting WSU on the board. Jason Baclig slapped one through off a pass from Mark Nebus, building the Warriors’ lead to two.

After a defensive breakdown, the Chargers would convert with a 2-on-1 advantage. A quick pass from Grant Selinger gave Brett MaConnachie his 11th goal of the season and put UAH on the board.

“The defensemen pinched down on the boards and didn’t take the puck or the man, and that created an odd man rush,” Wilkinson said.

The Warriors were unfazed as they picked up a power play goal from Jared Katz at 19:37 giving them a two-goal advantage going into the second intermission.

Katz was ready and found himself in the right spot at the right time.

“I was just standing in front of the net hoping something would happen and it just deflected off my stick and went in,” he said.

Hooper (2-11-0) recorded the win, with MacNicol (1-1-0) receiving the loss after 28 saves and allowing four goals.

The Warriors took 32 shots compared to UAH’s 18.

The three stars of the night were WSU players Jason Baclig with one goal, Jared Katz with one goal and an assist, and goalie Will Hooper.

The South End, February 12, 2007