WSU Clinches CHA Regular-Season Title

The Wayne State University men's hockey team clinched the College Hockey America regular-season title with a 5-0 victory at Bemidji State on Saturday night (Feb. 23).

The Warriors started fast by scoring four goals in the opening period with 10 being the magic number. All four goals were the 10th of the season for each player.

Junior Jack Redwood (Trenton, MI/Compuware Ambassadors) scored from just outside the crease 5:17 into the contest off assists from Chris Vail (Grosse Pointe Farms, MI/Vernon Vipers) and Nick Stodgell (Warroad, MN/Des Moines Buccaneers). Redwood's goal came during a four-on-four situation.

WSU increased its lead to 2-0 when Jon Brink (Portage, MI/West Michigan Warriors) scored just 16 seconds after the Warriors had killed off a penalty. Brink's lamp-lighter was unassisted.

John Grubb (Burlington, ND/Waterloo Black Hawks) netted his fourth of the weekend only 62 seconds after Brink's goal to give the visitors a 3-0 advantage. Nathan Rosychuk (Athabasca, ALB/Grande Prairie Storm) and Billy Collins (Enderby, BC/Prince George Spruce Kings) garnered assists on the scoring play.

Vail completed the first period scoring with his eighth goal in the last eight game. His marker, with only 17 seconds remaining in the opening stanza, was assisted by Redwood.

In the second period, junior Brent Renfrew (Fairbanks, AK/Soo Indians) scored his first goal since Nov. 24 vs. Michigan Tech when he beat BSU netminder Dannie Morgan with 3:58 remaining in the period. Marc St. Jean (Orleans, ONT/Hawkesbury Hawks) assisted on Renfrew's third of the season.

WSU goaltender David Guerrera (St. Leonard, QUE/Estevan Bruins) made 33 saves including 15 in the second period as the Beavers were shutout on home ice for only the seventh time in school history (654 home games dating back to 1946).

Grady Hunt started between the pipes for BSU and stopped eight of 12 shots in the first period. Morgan played the final two periods and recorded 12 saves.

WSU failed to score on its three power-play chances, but did kill all six BSU man-advantage opportunities.

Wayne State is now 17-11-4 overall and 13-2-3 in CHA. The Beavers fall to 12-15-5 overall and 8-5-4 in CHA. The Warriors conclude the regular season with two home contests against Niagara on March 1-2 at the Great Lakes Sports City Arena in Fraser. Face-off both nights is at 7:05 p.m.

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WSU Ties Bemidji State, 4-4;
Earns Bye In CHA Tournament

Freshman John Grubb scored a hat trick in Friday's game

The Wayne State University men's hockey team recorded a 4-4 overtime tie at Bemidji State Friday night (Feb. 22) in Bemidji, Minnesota.

The Warriors clinched a first-round College Hockey America tournament bye with tonight's tie. WSU needs one victory in its final three regular season contests to secure first place.

Each team scored once in the first period, twice in the middle stanza, and once in the third period. Neither team was able to net the game-winner in overtime. Two of WSU's four ties have come against the Beavers.

The Warriors scored first as freshman John Grubb (Burlington, ND/Waterloo Black Hawks) scored his seventh of the year at the 13:34 mark off an assist from Carl Voelker (Sterling Hts., MI/St. Louis Sting). BSU tied the game less than four minutes later on a power-play goal by Bryce Methven.

The Beavers took a 2-1 lead when Jared Hanowski scored just 1:57 into the second period. WSU junior captain Jason Durbin (Trenton, MI/Danville Wings) tied the game with his 14th of the season at 6:52 off assists from Jon Brink (Portage, MI/West Michigan Warriors) and Dusty Kingston (Spencerville, ONT/Brockville Braves).

Grubb put the Warriors in front 3-2 with his second of the contest at 8:05 off an assist from Billy Collins (Enderby, BC/Prince George Spruce Kings). BSU would score a power-play goal just over three minutes later to tie the game at three.

Grubb would complete the hat trick 2:14 into the third period with an unassisted goal. For the third time, BSU would rally to tie the game on a goal by Riley Riddell at 6:23.

The Warriors held a 5-2 shot advantage in overtime and 39-36 for the game.

Both teams had five power-play chances with BSU scoring twice with the man-advantage.

Wayne State junior goaltender David Guerrera (St. Leonard, QUE/Estevan Bruins) made 32 saves including 13 in the third period. BSU netminder Grady Hunt turned aside 36 Warrior shots.

WSU is now 16-11-4 overall and 12-2-3 in CHA, while the Beavers are now 12-14-5 overall and 8-4-4 in CHA. Wayne State will take its seven-game unbeaten streak into Saturday's series finale against BSU. Face-off is slated for 8:05 p.m. Eastern at the John Glas Fieldhouse.