Feb. 8, 2003
FRASER, Mich. - [box score] After scoring just three power-play goals total in the first 13 games in the series, the Wayne State Warriors hit Bemidji State for two power-play goals in the first period alone en route to a 6-1 victory tonight at the Great Lakes City Sports Arena.

Wayne State’s special teams dominated, accounting for three of the team’s six goals. The Warriors, who had been just 3-for-71 all-time against Bemidji State on the power play, scored power-play goals on two of three opportunities in the first period - at 18:01 and 18:19 - to take an early 3-1 lead it would not relinquish. They also tacked on a short-handed goal early in the third period then chased BSU starting goaltender Grady Hunt on Jason Durbin’s third goal of the game in the third to complete the blowout.

Bemidji State scored first, getting a power-play goal from Wade Chiodo at 7:25 of the first, taking assists from Riley Riddell and Myles Kuharski, but from that point on it was all Wayne State.

Jack Redwood scored twice for the Warriors in the first, evening the score at a goal apiece with his ninth lamp-lighter of the season at 13:44, then staked Wayne State to a 2-1 lead with the eventual game-winner on the power-play at 18:01. Just 18 seconds later, Jason Durbin lit the lamps again on the power play and Wayne State would never look back.

Jon Brink scored unassisted at 17:36 of the second to put Wayne State up 4-1, and Durbin completed his hat trick with a short-handed goal at 3:20 of the third and an even-strength goal at 12:07 of the third. Brink’s hat trick made him one of two Warriors with three points in the game; Dustin Kingston had three assists.

Marty Goulet was held scoreless, snapping his career-long seven-game scoring streak.

David Guerrera saved 25 of 26 shots faced to earn the win for the Warriors; he improved to 11-10-2. Grady Hunt took the loss for BSU and dropped to 8-6-5. Dannie Morgan played the final 7:53 in relief for BSU, making one save on the only shot he faced.

Wayne State’s six goals are a single-game high against BSU, and it’s 10 goals scored on the weekend also set a series record against the Beavers. The Warriors had scored just 16 total goals in their previous nine games against Bemidji State prior to this weekend.

Tonight marked the fifth consecutive game in the series the Warriors have held BSU to two goals or fewer, and the 14th time in 25 starts this season BSU has scored two or fewer goals. The game completed Wayne State’s first-ever sweep of Bemidji State and gives the Warriors back-to-back wins in the series for the first time ever. Bemidji State still leads the all-time series, 7-4-3.

The Beavers fall to 8-10-7 overall on the season, 6-5-3 in College Hockey America play. The Beavers hold at 15 points in CHA play, even with Niagara for third place in the league standings, although the Eagles hold a head-to-head tiebreaker. Wayne State improves to 14-12-2, extends its unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1) and moves two games above .500 for the first time since starting the season 2-0-0. The Warriors improve to 7-3-2 in the CHA, and with 16 points take over sole possession of second place in the league.

Bemidji State wraps up non-conference play next weekend at Nebraska-Omaha.

SCORING SUMMARY
1/ 7:25/ B - Wade Chiodo (4, PP) (Riley Riddell/5, Myles Kuharski/9) / 1-0
1/13:44/ W - Jack Redwood (9) (Marc St. Jean/10, Maxim Starchenko/6) / 1-1
1/18:01/ W - Jack Redwood (10, PP) (Steve Kovalchik/10, Marc St. Jean/11)/ 1/18:19/ W - Jason Durbin (7, PP) (Dustin Kingston/13, Derek MacKay/8) / 1-3
2/17:36/ W - Jon Brink (4) (unassisted) / 1-4
3/ 2:40/ W - Jason Durbin (8, SH) (Dustin Kingston/14) / 1-5
3/12:07/ W - Jason Durbin (9, hat trick) (Dustin Kingston/15) / 1-6

BSU: Grady Hunt (52:07 / 10-8-5=23 saves / 6 GA / L, 8-6-5);
Dannie Morgan (7:53 / x-x-1=1 saves / 0 GA / ND)
WSU: David Guerrera (60:00 / 5-9-11=25 saves / 1 GA / W, 11-10-2)
Penalties/Power Plays: BSU: 8-16/1-7; WSU: 9-18/2-6