Warriors split with the Purple Eagles

The year 2006 has not been kind so far to the Wayne State Warriors (6-18-6, 3-8-5 CHA). Injuries, tie games, and bad breaks have plagued the former champs. Now instead of the former role of preparing to defend their title, this year’s squad is struggling to stay out of the CHA cellar.

Friday-- Wayne State welcomed the Niagara Purple Eagles into a chilly Coliseum on Friday night for the start of a two game set.

Adam Krug and Derek Bachynski each scored on the power play for the Warriors in the first period. The Eagles countered with markers by Jason Williamson and Sean Bentivoglio and the two rivals skated off with a 2-2 tie after twenty minutes of play.

Williamson scored the lone goal of the second period to give the visitors a 3-2 lead.

Steve Kovalchik tied it up with his second of the year at 9:22 of the third, but then with just 1:21 remaining Pat Oliveto finished off the Warriors with the game winning goal and a 4-3 NU win.

Will Hooper got the call in net for WSU and stopped 35 shots.

Jeff Van Nynatten stopped 21 of 24 for the Eagles.

WSU finished the night with a perfect 2-2 effort on the power-play and 0-6 advantage on the penalty kill.

For the full story, please read Matt Mackinder’s recap on uscho.com.

Saturday-- The Warriors finally got some good luck in the finale as the pulled off a 3-2 win at the Coliseum.The win was the Warriors first since a 6-3 drubbing of Robert Morris in Detroit on January 21st and only the second “W” of the New Year.

Derek Bachynski continued his solid weekend with a goal and two assists. Bachinski had a goal and assist on Friday giving him a total of five points in the two-game set.

Adam Krug and Jason Baclig also scored for the Warriors.

Freshman sensation Les Reaney tallied both goals for the Eagles. Reaney’s 34 points on the year ties the all-time CHA rookie record.

Matt Kelly started for the Warriors and stopped 20 of 22 shots.

Jeff Van Nynatten turned away 18 of 21 in the Eagles net.

WSU finished the night 2-8 on the power-play, while NU went 2-for-6.

Up Next-- The Warriors will hit the road for the final time next weekend as they head south to face off with the conference leading Alabama-Huntsville Chargers. The Chargers took three of four points from the Warriors at the Coliseum in late January.

Photo by Matt Mackinder