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 Tylor Michel scored WSU's lone goal in the CHA quarterfinal setback. |
March 11, 2006
DETROIT - The Wayne State University men's hockey team (6-23-6) had its 2005-06 campaign come to an end with a 3-1 loss to the University of Alabama-Huntsville (19-12-2) in the second College Hockey America quarterfinal Friday evening at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum.
The "host" Warriors, who were seeded sixth, outshot the Chargers 16-6 in the opening period with eight of WSU's shots on goal coming during three power play chances but Wayne State netminder Will Hooper (Woodbridge, Ont./Wexford Raiders) and UAH goalie Scott Munroe kept the game scoreless.
Shortly after Huntsville had killed off a five-on-three (for 1:20), Bruce Mulherin banged in Brett McConnachie's shot which went wide, hit the boards and caromed directly to Mulherin who was stationed to Hooper's left. Mulherin's 16th of the year came at the 6:22 mark.
Just over five minutes later the Warriors pulled even as sophomore Tylor Michel (Sudbury, Ont./Owen Sound Greys) netted his first of the season. Michel, coming down the off wing, took a deflection by Derek Punches off a Matt Krug outlet pass, and beat Munroe low.
The tie lasted just 49 seconds as McConnachie was at the right spot at the right time. Mulherin's shot was deflected and bounced up in the air behind Hooper where McConnachie was able to bat the puck into the net for his ninth of the year.
McConnachie completed the scoring just 2:50 into the third period off assists from Jeff Winchester and Jeremy Schreiber.
Hooper finished with 24 saves while Munroe was credited with 45 stops. In Hooper's 16 starts, the Warriors scored a total of 31 goals.
Wayne State went zero-for-seven on the power play with 24 of its 46 shots coming with the man advantage. UAH went zero-for-four on the power play.
The game marked the final collegiate contest for WSU seniors Steve Kovalchik, Greg Poupard, John May and Matt Kelly. Kovalchik tied the school record for career games played (141) with Dustin Kingston.
UAH, the No. 3 seed, advances to face second-seeded Bemidji State at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday. In Friday's first match, Robert Morris scored the final four goals to rally for a 4-3 win over the U.S. Air Force Academy. RMU, the No. 4 seed, will skate against top-seeded Niagara University at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday.
