Warriors Split Fourth Series of the Year

Warriors winger Mark Nebus scored a goal
in both games vs. Bowling Green
Photo Courtesy of Mark Hicks / Westside Photo

Revenge.

That’s what the Wayne State Warriors (7-4-1, 1-0-1 CHA) wanted and just what they got on Saturday night.

Just two days after their worst loss of the season, the Warriors traveled down to Ohio and crushed the Bowling Green Falcons on their home ice, 9-3.

Freshman Adam Krug started the Warrior onslaught by netting the first goal of the game at 2:01 of the first period. Mark Nebus added his second of the series just 53-seconds later to put the visitors up 2-0.

Blueliner Steve Kovalchik netted the a 5-on-3 power-play goal at 12:41 and Stavros Paskaris piled on with a shorthanded marker at 17:51 to give the Warriors a commanding 4-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Reigning CCHA Rookie of the Week Jonathon Matsumoto got the Falcons back into the game with a power-play goal at 4:29 of the second, but the only goal only seemed to add more fuel to the Warriors fire.

Krug responded with a power-play goal at 13:10 and then recorded his first career hat trick just 45-seconds later to put the Warriors up 6-1.

Thursday’s number-one star Rich Meloche picked up a power-play goal with 22-seconds left in the second to pull the Falcons to within four goals.

The Warriors came out slugging again in the third period and reeled off three straight goals to open up a touchdown size lead at 9-2.

Mike Forgie started the fun for the Green and Gold with a shorthanded marker at 5:22. Derek Bachynski added his third of the season at 10:13. Then Nate Higgins iced it with a power-play goal at 12:40.

Ben Geelan scored a late goal for the Falcons at 15:41, but it wasn’t enough as the Warriors took their fourth road win of the season and broke a two game winless streak.

Matt Kelly started between the pipes for the Warriors and turned aside 34 of 37 shots to move his personal record to 5-1-0.

The Warriors chased two goaltenders on the other end.

Jordan Sigalet started the game, but got the hook after giving up 4 goals on 9 shots in the first twenty minutes. Jon Horrell played the next 33:07 and was shelled for five goals on 14 shots. Bob Frazee mopped up in the final 6:53 and was spotless in two attempts on goal.

For the Warriors, it was their largest-ever margin of victory over a CCHA opponent and first win over the Falcons in five attempts (1-3-1).

The Warriors will now get a quick turnaround before a two-game CHA stand with the Bemidji State Beavers at the Compuware Ice Arena on Monday and Tuesday night.

Thursday

For the first time this season, the Wayne State Warriors (6-4-1, 1-0-1 CHA) lost the opening game of a series as they were trounced by the Bowling Green Falcons, 7-3, at the Compuware Arena on Thursday night.

The Falcons took control of the contest early, going up 3-0 by the 12:26 mark of the opening period, and sealed the game by capitalizing on Warrior penalties with four power-play goals.

“Bowling Green jumped all over us right from the start,” said Warriors Head Coach Wilkinson. “We couldn't match their intensity and they took the game away from us in the first period. I don't think there was anyway we could have come out any flatter.”

Rich Meloche paced the Falcons and earned number one star honors with two goals and an assist.

Steve Kovalchik, Mark Nebus, and Matt Boldt all scored for the Warriors in the loss.

Will Hooper started in net for the Warriors and was yanked after surrendering 4 goals on 17 shots in the opening period. Matt Kelly played the final two frames and turned aside 12 of 15 shots.

Boston Bruins draft pick Jordan Sigalet was brilliant on the other end stopping 38 of 41 shots including 23 in the second period alone.

The Warriors and Falcons (6-2-1, 3-2-1 CCHA) will conclude their extended two-game set with a 5:05 PM face-off at the BGSU Arena in Ohio on Saturday evening.