FRASER, Mich. – In their short two-year existence, Wayne State has never been above the .500 mark. But after Saturday’s 1-0 whitewash of American International, the Warriors are now in unfamiliar territory.
Wayne State (9-8-1, 2-3-1 CHA) needed just one goal for the win. Freshman Jarrett Gibbons’ power-play tally at 12:23 of the second period was all the scoring either team would account for. Sophomore Brent Renfrew fed freshman Chris Vail between the circles, but the puck bounced free. Gibbons then pounced on the loose puck and put it between the legs of a screened Chance Thede. The goal was Gibbons’ third of the season.
Both teams played dump-and-chase in the third period, but the Yellowjackets (4-10-1, 4-5-1 MAAC) could not get the equalizer and were shut out for the second consecutive night. WSU won 7-0 on Friday.
“Last night our offense stepped up and tonight it was our defense,” said Wayne State head coach Bill Wilkinson. “I am extremely pleased with our three-game winning streak heading into the Christmas break.”
Sophomore Marc Carlson stopped 16 shots for his first collegiate shutout.
“We played great team defense tonight,” Carlson said. “I was able to see most of the shots and the guys played well in front of me.”
“We went out and did what we do best,” Renfrew said. “We kept it simple and took advantage of our chances.”
