Collins Named CHA Rookie of the Week

Wayne State University freshman center Billy Collins (Enderby, B.C./Prince George Spruce Kings) has been selected College Hockey America Rookie of the Week.

Collins had a power-play goal and an assist in Friday's 4-3 win over the University of Alabama-Huntsville. He scored the game-tying goal with just 22 seconds remaining in regulation on Saturday to force overtime.

His man-advantage marker on Friday cut the Charger lead to 2-1, while his assist came on Nathan Rosychuk's goal that put WSU in front for the first time in the game at 3-2.

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Wayne State Ties Chargers In OT

Wayne State freshman Billy Collins scored with 22 seconds left in regulation to lift the Warriors to a 3-3 (OT) tie against Alabama-Huntsville Saturday night (Dec. 8) at the Great Lakes Sports City in Fraser, Mich.

The Chargers scored the lone goal of the opening period, just 58 seconds into the contest, when Karlis Zirnis scored during a UAH power play.

WSU pulled even late in the second period when Tyler Kindle scored his sixth of the season during a five-on-three man-advantage situation. Kindle's lamp-lighter, which came at the 18:20 mark, was assisted by Jason Durbin.

The Warriors took a 2-1 lead when Dusty Kingston scored WSU's second power-play goal of the game 3:31 into the third period. Kingston's team-leading ninth goal of the year was assisted by Kindle. Kindle's shot from the left point banged off the goal post to a waiting Kingston.

UAH tied the game at two on a power-play goal by Jason Hawes at the 6:49 mark.

The Chargers grabbed a 3-2 lead when Steve Milosevski scored on a breakaway with 2:20 left in the third period setting up Collins' heroics.

On the game-tying goal, with WSU already on a power play and goalie Dave Guerrera pulled in favor of an extra skater, Durbin won another key face-off. Durbin won the draw back to the right point to Keith Stanich, who's cross-ice pass was one-timed by Collins through a sprawling Charger defenseman and past goalie Adam MacLean.

Durbin took part in 58 of the 115 face-offs in the game, winning 38 of them. His two biggest wins set up goals by Kindle and Collins.

Wayne State scored three power-play goals in 10 opportunities, while Alabama-Huntsville recorded two man-advantage markers in 13 chances.

Guerrera made 31 saves in the Warrior cage, while MacLean turned aside 38 shots for the Chargers.

The Warriors will take a 5-8-3 overall mark and a 3-1-2 College Hockey America record into exam time. Alabama-Huntsville is now 10-7-1 overall and 5-4-1 in the CHA. The next games for both teams will come in Huntsville, Ala. on Dec. 28-29.

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Warriors Rally To Defeat
Alabama-Huntsville

The Wayne State men's hockey team (5-8-2, 3-1-1 CHA) rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the first place Alabama-Huntsville Chargers (10-7-0, 5-4-0 CHA), 4-3, Friday night (Dec. 7) in Fraser, Mich.

UAH scored two power-play goals in the first period (Doug Watkins at 10:29 and Ryan Leasa at 19:32).

After Warrior Jason Durbin missed on a penalty shot 4:21 into the middle stanza, WSU got on the scoreboard when Billy Collins lit the lamp during a power play. Travis Rycroft's first goal of the season at 10:18 of the second period tied the game at two.

Collins' second of the season was assisted by Tyler Kindle and Jason Durbin, while Jon Brink and Reegan Rehm assisted on Rycroft's marker.

Wayne State took its first lead of the contest 3:57 into the third period when Nathan Rosychuk netted his second of the campaign off assists from Brent Renfrew and Collins. WSU increased its lead to 4-2 at 15:32 of the third period as Nick Shrader scored a rebound goal off assists from Brink and Steve Nichols.

The Chargers made it interesting at the end. UAH pulled its goalie with 2:06 remaining and the move finally paid off when Keith Rowe scored with 10 seconds left. UAH had a face-off to the left of Warrior goaltender Dave Guerrera with five seconds remaining but they could not get a shot off.

Guerrera made 30 saves, including 15 in the opening period. Mark Byrne turned aside 28 shots with 23 of his saves coming in the final 40 minutes. UAH scored on three of eight power-play chances ending the Warrior penalty killing streak at 25 straight. Wayne State scored on one of its six man-advantage opportunities.

The teams will complete the weekend series Saturday, Dec. 8 in Fraser with a 7:05 p.m. face-off. After taking two weeks off for exams and the holidays, the squads will meet again on Dec. 28-29 in Huntsville, Ala.