No. 16 Minnesota sweeps Wayne State

By Tom Balog / Wayne State Beat Writer

The Wayne State Warriors losing streak reached a season high seven games after a 5-1 loss to the 16th-ranked Gophers on Friday night at the Mariucci Arena.

Jared Katz scored the lone goal for the Green and Gold, tying the score at one each at 10:41 of the first period.

Kyle Funkenhauser got the start in net but was mercifully lifted after surrendering four goals on 40 shots in just under 50 minutes of play. Fellow freshman Mike Devoney came into the game in relief for the final 10:03 and stopped 10 of 11 shots in his first collegiate action.

The Gophers opened the series finale with another four goal outburst and cruised to a 5-2 victory.

Mike Forgie (pictured) scored on the power play and Jordan Inglis notched an unassisted short-handed marker to finally get Wayne State on the board in the third period.

Forgie’s team high fifth goal was assisted by team points leader Jeff Caister and Brock Meadows.

Brett Bothwell started between the pipes for WSU, but was lifted after giving up four goals on 13 shots. Devoney mopped up for the second straight game and stopped 16 of 17 shots.

The pair losses stretched WSU’s winless skid to nine-games. The Warriors have not won since a 3-2 win at St. Lawrence on Nov. 23.

Wayne State will wraps up its nine-game road trip next weekend at Northern Michigan before returning home to face Niagara. The Jan. 18 game will be held at the Taylor SportsPlex, while the Jan. 19 contest will be the opening game of the College Hockey Faceoff at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

College Hockey Faceoff coming to Palace

Updated 9-20-2007- College hockey makes its return to the Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday, January 19, 2007 with a doubleheader featuring traditional conference foes.

The action begins at 3:30 with the Wayne State Warriors facing off with the back-to-back CHA regular season champ Niagara Purple Eagles.

The Purps dominated last season’s series with the Green and Gold, going 4-1-1.

"I think it will be great venue for our game," said Warriors head coach Bill Wilkinson. "It's an NHL-type of building that will give the players a chance to feel that they are playing in a professional setting. It should be a positive atmosphere for a college showcase weekend. We are looking forward to playing the Niagara Purple Eagles at the Palace."

Saturday’s nightcap will be rematch of last year’s CCHA title game with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish battling the Michigan Wolverines.

Last season, the Irish won all three meetings with the Maize and Blue.

Tickets for the College Hockey Faceoff can be purchased at Palacenet.com, the Palace box office or any Ticketmaster location.