The score was similar Saturday night--a 6-0 beating by the Buckeyes--but this game marked a beginning rather than an end. This was the first varsity hockey game played by the Wayne State University Warriors, and Wilkinson was upbeat after the loss.

"I thought in tonight's game, we came out a little tentative because of the anxiety we had building up, but once the game got going, I thought we played pretty well. Ohio State's a quality team, not only in the CCHA but in the nation, so for us to be able to hang with them to a certain degree...it's pretty favorable on our part."

Rookie winger Miguel Lafleche had the game-winner for OSU at 2:03 in the first period, a pick-up from sophomore Mike McCormick right in front of the crease. Ray Aho had 12 saves through two periods for Ohio State; freshman netminder Peter Wishloff had another dozen for the Bucks in the third.

Starter David Guerrera made 20 saves and allowed five goals through 30:29 of play for Wayne State. Marc Carlson finished up strong for the Warriors, saving 17 of 18 shots as Ohio State outgunned WSU 43-24.

Nick Ganga and J.F. Dufour also tallied for the Buckeyes in the first, making it 3-0 after one. In the second period, Louie Colsant, Eric Meloche, and McCormick accounted for the remaining OSU goals.

"I think it was a good game for us to start with," said Ohio State head coach John Markell. "It was an opponent we've never seen before, didn't know what to expect, a bunch of rookies. They did work hard. I was impressed with them.

"They gave us the kind of game we needed to have as far as trying to get our timing down and things like that. I thought their goalies played very well. There were points where I thought we could have scored some more goals."

Warrior Dave Peca--younger brother of Michael, the captain of the Buffalo Sabres--said that he thought he and his teammates did well for never having played together before. "First period, we were nervous, we just worked out our nerves. In the second period...we held our ground a lot better. In the third period, they [Ohio State] didn't go full out, but still we shut them down."

The Warriors had to contend with a shortened bench for their first game, as several walk-on players remained unable to play until passing through the NCAA clearinghouse.

"I hope that next week we'll have a few more players in the lineup that will allow us to go four lines," said Wilkinson, "because trying to play three lines...is difficult at best.

"We've got a mountain to climb, but we're doing it as best as we can. I think it's a pretty positive outlook for us for the season."

The Buckeyes host Windsor Sunday while Wayne State travels next weekend to Waterloo, Ont., for the Oktoberfest Tournament.