K-Wings Lay A Whoopin’ on Flint
April 12, 2007

Game Two of the playoffs was much different that Game One. We’re all even at one each after the K-Wings thumped Flint 5-0 Thursday night at Wings Stadium. We were scoreless after the first period, but the K-Wings knocked in two in the second to take the lead. Things got even better in the third. Lucas Drake scored to make it 3-0, then when Flint pulled their goaltender, Jason Lawmaster went to work. He scored an empty netter, then scored again moments later when Flint put their goalie back in. What a finish.

Flint only had 2 shots on goal in the third. Ryan Nie got the shutout and told me after the game he likes more shots on net when he’s in the game to keep him in the game. Flint only had 18 all night. Early in the third someone shot a puck up into the air, and it landed on the scoreboard, and never came down. So if you find it, take it over to the Meijer Guest Relations Booth for your prize. I was startled tonight by K-Wings goalie Tom Askey’s barking on the bench. He sounded like a crazy wolf. I guess he was just trying to get his guys fired up. Hey, it worked on me.

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K-Wings Drop Game One Of Playoffs
April 11, 2007

Game One of the playoffs did not end well. It was back and forth all night, and in the end, Flint beat the K-Wings 4-3 on a late goal. This game featured some strange stuff, including Kory Karlander knocking off the mask from the Flint goalie. It also had some stick work in it. I don’t remember Tyson Turgeon playing that tough when he was here either. The K-Wings scored eleven seconds into the game, and Flint scored in the last minute of the game

The K-Wings scored first, then grabbed a 2-0 lead. However, they gave up the next three goals before finally tying it up in the third. Unfortunately Flint’s Mike Kinnie nabbed a hat trick and got the game winning goal with 1:09 left in the game. I think everyone was mentally preparing for overtime. I know I was. The good news is that we don’t have to wait long for Game Two.

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K-Wings Thump Port Huron Again
March 25, 2007

The K-Wings took care of Port Huron again, 2-0. Ryan Nie nabbed his seventh shutout of the season. He played great, including some awesome saves late to secure the shutout. Adam Elzinga scored early for the K-Wings to take the lead. Jason Lawmaster knocked in an empty netter late to make it 2-0.

My favorite moment of the game came in the third period, when Lawmaster and Colt King both went to the box for roughing. King was calling Lawmaster all kinds of names, but Lawmaster shut him up by saying “I can’t hear you, all my rings are clogging up my ears”. Nice. That’s the best line since Kevin Kerr a few years back. When he was playing for Flint, during a game at Wings Stadium one night, he went into the box and was getting heckled. He stood up, turned around and said, “I don’t know who you think you are, but my jersey’s going to the Hockey Hall of Fame, so shut up.” Classic.

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K-Wings Spank Flags On Green Ice
March 17, 2007

This was the game I’ve been waiting for all year. The K-Wings absolutely tore up the Port Huron Flags on the green ice in front of a giant crowd, 10-2. It started with Colt King trying to fight Jason Lawmaster on the opening faceoff. Lawmaster didn’t drop the gloves, even though King did, and as King was getting ready to get back into the play after getting his glove, Chris McAllister came from behind and jacked King right at center ice in a huge hit. That set the tone.

Port Huron scored first, then the K-Wings scored four straight goals, including two power play goals. That was just the first period. The second featured five more goals, four from the K-Wings, including a short handed goal from Adam Elzinga. The last two K-Wings goals in the third period were power play goals. The third was a bit chippy as you might imagine, and it featured a few fights, including one with Tyler Willis and Mike Olynyk that went longer than most. Awesome game for an awesome crowd.

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Rockford Beats The K-Wings In Shootout
March 10, 2007

Another low scoring game tonight, and the K-Wings were on the wrong end of another shootout, 2-1. Kory Karlander scored with :36 left in the third period for the only K-Wings goal. Justin Cross had a chance to tie the game earlier in the third, when he missed a penalty shot halfway through the period.

The shootout lasted a long time. Thirteen skaters for each side took shots. Rockford ended up with the game winner in the shootout. I was amazed that there were so many shooters, and so few goals. I really thought years ago, when the shootout was introduced into hockey, that there would be a bunch of goals during shootouts. It hasn’t turned out that way.

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Rockford Beats The K-Wings In Shootout
March 9, 2007

This game had a couple of goals disallowed. Early on the K-Wings had a goal washed out. This was a key moment, because the K-Wings lost to Bloomington tonight 2-1. No one scored in the first period, but Bloomington banged in two in the second period. The third didn’t look much better for the K-Wings, until Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn scored on an awesome slapper that hit the very top right of the net.

We had a referee tonight who we haven’t seen much. His name is Adam Fish, and he is the loudest guy we have had this year. Most refs don’t speak very loudly when they speak through the small hole to us in the scorer’s box. This guy was yelling out numbers and names. As someone who has the task of getting all the info right for the game, that was nice to hear.

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K-Wings Throttle Muskegon At Home Again
March 7, 2007

Another home game, another win over Muskegon. Wow, that was fun. Ryan Nie thumped the Fury again, 2-0. He beat the number one team in the league three straight times at Wings Stadium. That’s impressive. And a shutout to finish ‘em off. After the first period was scoreless, I figured this one was going to be another close one. It was.

The K-Wings Paul Caponigri scored in the second period to get things going. After the period, Rick Shanley was interviewing one of the Muskegon players on the ice, when the K-Wings fans showered them with boos. I don’t think that’s ever happened. That says a lot about the rivalry.

In the third, Jesse Rycroft scored a great goal. One of my favorite plays in hockey that doesn’t get enough attention. The dump in. It happens quite a bit, but rarely does it result in a goal. Nick Bootland put a perfect dump in shot to the boards to the right of the goal, and it came right to Rycroft, who put it top shelf for the goal. Nie had his glove working the whole night, and easily grabbed first star. The K-Wings are hot and Muskegon is not, and it couldn’t have come at a better time in the season. Buckle up.

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K-Wings Beat Fury Again
March 3, 2007

Saturday’s game against Muskegon was much different than Friday’s game. The Fury came to play Saturday night. But, they didn’t leave with a win. The K-Wings gutted one out in a shootout, 3-2. It all started strangely. I introduced their goalie as Ryan Cyr, but during the National Anthem, I noticed that the other goalie Clayton Pool was out there. Well, I think they realized they messed up and sent Cyr out there, but then I looked up again and Pool was in net again. Three changes in about a minute. Yikes.

There was a funny moment in the first period, which was scoreless. A puck was shot up into the rafters, and landed on one of the large vents, and skidded up there for a second, then started coming down, and when it landed, it just missed the referee by about a foot. I don’t think everyone saw it, but the ones who did see it got a kick out of it.

Muskegon scored first in this game, but the K-Wings tied it up quickly. The Fury took the lead in the third, but the K-Wings Kory Karlander tied it up with 3:34 left in the game. That set up the shootout. The game winning goal came from Nick Bootland, when he lost control of the puck and it slid in between Pool’s legs for the game winner. We’ll take it. Anytime you can beat the best team in the league in your building two straight nights, you take it any way you can get it. A couple of fun nights to watch hockey.

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K-Wings Knock Off Fury
March 2, 2007

This game got started late due to the weather and the refs being late. But it was well worth it. What a game. The K-Wings struck first and last to beat Muskegon 3-2. Two of the new guys scored. Paul Caponigri and Tyler Kindle both lit it up. After two periods, the K-Wings were leading shots on goal, 27-7. However, in the third, Muskegon took the lead 2-1 midway through the period. The good news was that the K-Wings nabbed the tying goal just twenty seconds later from Alexander Valentin. Then about a minute later, Kindle scored to put it away.

Kindle was the Star of the Game, and it was cool to talk to a fellow Portage Northern High School grad on the ice. Of course he’s much younger than I am. He graduated in 1996, and I graduated in 1981. I have pants older than Kindle. The K-Wings held Muskegon to just 16 shots on goal in this game. That’s awesome. This was a very fast paced game, with a playoff feel. Those are always fun to watch.

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K-Wings Get Morning Win
February 28, 2007

Another Education Day game, and this time the K-Wings won. They beat Chicago in a shootout 4-3. What a game. Things were a little slow to start, and the K-Wings went down 3-0 early in the game. In fact, Tom Askey was pulled out of the net and replaced with Ryan Nie. I’m sure Askey wasn’t thrilled. I can’t even remember the last time a K-Wings goalie was replaced at home. The good news for Askey was that he came back in for the shootout and gave the K-Wings the win.

In the second period, Karlander and Versteeg-Lytwyn scored to get the K-Wings close, then Bootland tied it in the third. The K-Wings also held off a 5 on 3 in the third period. Good stuff. After a prolonged timeout waiting for the Zamboni to clear the ice for the shootout, we were finally under way. The K-Wings outshot Chicago 2-1 in the shootout for the win. There was a strange moment when the only Chicago goal in the shootout was scored on a spin move that looked a little strange. There was contact with Askey and it just looked weird. Versteeg-Lytwyn got the game winner in the shootout as the last shooter. A very exciting way to end a hockey game and send 4,000 kids home happy.

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K-Wings Drill Quad City
February 23, 2007

Friday night was fun. The K-Wings beat Quad City 3-1, even thought they got outshot, which rarely happens at home. Nick Bootland did something I wish more players would do. He dumped the puck into the corner so it would come back out front, and then chased it down and scored. Justin Cross scored the next goal with a wicked slapper from the right side. Quad City scored their only goal next, but it was too late.

Joe Markuson scored the last goal of the game in the second period. He grabbed Star of the Game honors as well. This game featured a pretty good bout by a couple of little guys. Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn from the K-Wings and Luke Stauffacher from the Mallards. It looked like Stauffacher wanted to go when he wacked Versteeg-Lytwyn on the leg. They each landed shots that buckled the other guy’s legs. You rarely get to see that in a hockey fight. In the box afterward, Stauffacher wasn’t too thrilled that Versteeg-Lytwyn took off all his arm pads before the fight. I guess he didn’t think that was cool. Didn’t matter, the fans loved this fight. They also got a look at Tyler Willis dropping the mitts, although his bout wasn’t as dramatic.

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Ice Hogs Teach K-Wings Lesson 5-2
February 21, 2007

Education Day at Wings Stadium turned out to be a day that the K-Wings were taught a lesson. Rockford beat them 5-2. The K-Wings scored the first goal, but never had the lead after that. The Ice Hogs scored a late second period goal, then an early third period goal.

This game featured a morning of screaming kids. The strange thing about these games is that the kids sometimes yell at random times during the game, and I think it throws off the players and the refs. Usually when there is a buzz or noise from the crowd, it’s from something that happened on the ice. But on Education Day, the kids start screaming when the players come out, and don’t stop for 3 hours.

This game also featured two empty net goals, which you don’t usually see. One of Rockford’s empty netters was shorthanded. Ryan Nie was going for his fourth shutout in a row, but that was ruined in the first period, when Rockford tied the game, 1-1. Still, three straight shutouts is awesome.

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Komets Beat K-Wings
February 11, 2007

The K-Wings couldn’t quite get past Fort Wayne Sunday afternoon. The Komets grabbed the win 3-2 in a tough one. This game was very physical and a little dirty at times. Ah, just like old times with Fort Wayne.

Ryan Nie did indeed get another start in net, as I thought he might. He played well. Fort Wayne scored on a 5 on 3. The K-Wings also had a 5 on 3 in the game, but did not put the puck in the net. The one thing the K-Wings can take from this game is that they came back from down 3-0. Nick Bootland scored in the second period, and Jeff Brown scored from out by the blue line in the third period to make it interesting.

There was plenty of yappin’ in this game. Fort Wayne has to be the biggest team in the league. I didn’t look at all the rosters, but I don’t think any other teams have that many guys who are over 6 foot 4. The K-Wings five shots on goal in the first period was also probably a season low, at least at home. They also got outshot for the game, which doesn’t happen much at home. Pink Ice time Wednesday night.

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Nie Shuts Out Port Huron
February 10, 2007

The K-Wings shutout Port Huron Saturday night 3-0 in front of Ryan Nie, who snagged his second shutout of the year. It looked like we were in for another long night of penalties early on, but things cooled off. Tyler Willis, Lucas Drake, and Joe Markusen all scored for the K-Wings.

Ryan Nie got the win between the pipes. He had been in net the night before in a shootout loss at Fort Wayne. I asked him after the game if he knew if he’d be in net the following game, and he said he was pretty sure it would be Tom Askey. (he was wrong) Nie made some nice saves and the K-Wings played great defense all night. I like Port Huron’s black jerseys. Much better than the red and white they normally wear, which look like reject Red Wings jerseys.

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Rockford Wins In Shootout
February 2, 2007

Well, another shootout at Wings Stadium. The K-Wings did not win it. Rockford got the win, 5-4. In fact, we did not score in the shootout. The K-Wings did come back from being down 4-2 to tie it, which was cool. Kory Karlander got the tying goal in the third period.

I saw a sight that we don’t get to see much anymore. Tyler Willis, at one point, was without his helmet and a glove for quite a while on one of his shifts. I’m sure Willie didn’t care, he probably loved it. He plays like every shift is his last. I still say the UHL should let the players skate in pre-game warm-ups with no helmets. The only time fans get to see players without helmets is during the National Anthem, and if there is a fight. Maybe if I was Commissioner………

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Elmira Gets Revenge
January 27, 2007

Saturday night was not kind to the K-Wings. Elmira finally showed up and beat the K-Wings 5-3. You knew the Jackals would be ready after getting waxed the night before. In fact, it was 3-0 in a hurry in the first period. The K-Wings did get a late first period goal, but couldn’t overcome that lead. Lawmaster, Bootland and Detulleo scored for the K-Wings in this one.

The referee was Jim Hawthorne. His son was one of the linesmen. I knew it was his kid right away when they skated on the ice. He looks just like dad. His son looks like he’s about 14, but of course is an adult. They looked like they had a good time. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a father-son combo in a pro hockey game. The K-Wings did get a late goal in the game, but it was too late by then. Elmira gets credit for coming back after a terrible night on Friday.

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K-Wings Drop Elmira 9-3
January 26, 2007

What a game! The K-Wings dominated Elmira and won 9-3. Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn had a late hat trick. Not only that, he had the Gordie Howe hat trick – an assist, a goal, and a fight. He didn’t fare so well in the fight, but who cares, it was a great night.

I believe there was a world record set earlier in the game. Jason Lawmaster and Curtis Tidball fought, and Tidball drilled Lawmaster in the back of the head with about 15 straight shots. Didn’t seem to bother Lawmaster, who gave Tidball a few pats on the butt and a couple of hugs after the fight.

The K-Wings also got a short handed goal from Kory Karlander. There are usually only a couple of nights each season where a team gets this many goals, and it looked like the guys were enjoying it, I know I did.

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K-Wings Out Shoot Komets 4-3
January 14, 2007

Well it was your basic Kalamazoo-Fort Wayne match-up. Lots of fans in from out of town, and a pretty good game on the ice. The K-Wings were on the winning end of this one, 4-3 in a shootout. In fact Glenn Detulleo was the only player who scored in the shootout. This game also featured some more pucks coming the way of the K-Wings official photographer. Every time he’s down on the ice, his camera is a puck magnet. Watch out.

This game also had a penalty shot. Kory Karlander was awarded a penalty shot in the third period after he got double teamed on a breakway up the middle. He scored and that was the turning point of the game. The K-Wings had been down 3-1 in the third. Nick Bootland scored a couple minutes later, and the shootout was on. There were lots of late penalties in this one, which didn’t have either team happy.

After the shootout, Fort Wayne goalie Kevin St. Pierre was irate as they went off the ice. I didn’t see what the fuss was about, but I heard from some fans that he didn’t like the celebrating from the K-Wings. I originally thought he was going after the ref because of a possible bad call during the shootout. Just another typical night with Fort Wayne in town.

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K-Wings Thump Chicago 4-1
January 13, 2007

WThe Chicago Hounds scored first in this game, and luckily for the K-Wings, that’s all they scored. It was a K-Wings win 4-1. Kory Karlander banged home two goals within three minutes of each other in the third to seal the win.

The strangest part of the game was when Chris McAllister got the boot after a five minute high sticking call right in front of the Chicago bench. I still say that they should change the rule on this. If a player is on the receiving end of a five minute penalty, and it’s so bad that it’s called for a five minute penalty, then he shouldn’t be allowed to skate during that five minute timeframe. After all, he was probably injured, possibly bloody, and it was serious enough to call a five minute penalty, how could the player possibly get back on his skates and play that soon?

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K-Wings Ring In 2007 With Win
December 31, 2006

New Year’s Eve was a fun night. It was even better knowing that the K-Wings won over Flint 4-1. Justin Cross was the star with two goals. It was kinda cool that the K-Wings nabbed a couple of empty net goals too. Usually you’ll see one empty netter by a team, then the losing team will replace the goalie, but that didn’t happen here. Kory Karlander took advantage of that. It’s always fun to watch the guys as they jockey to try and give someone else a chance at the empty net goal. Many times you’ll se a player wide open, but pass to a teammate so he can get a goal.

I’m sure the K-Wings appreciated the big crowd. Some of the newer players hadn’t played in front of a crowd that big in Kalamazoo. They had the wave going in the third period, and that spiced things up.

There was one scary moment in the game, and it didn’t have anything to do with a player. In the first period, the K-Wings photographer, who was in the penalty box taking pictures, got nailed with a puck. It was good news/bad news. The good news - the camera lens took the brunt of the shot. The bad news – it was an expensive lens. That was just one of three pucks that went into the box. It’s dangerous down there. But there’s nothing like being right in the middle of it all.

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Santa Hates Shootouts
December 23, 2006

What are the odds?  Two straight shootouts at Wings Stadium.  The K-Wings lost them both.  Saturday night Port Huron scored late to tie the game and force a shootout.  Scott Dobben played Santa in this game - he had two goals.  That line of Dobben, Lucas Drake, and Justin Cross is fun to watch.

The K-Wings gave up two goals in the first, including a breakaway goal.  They did score the next two in the second however.  The strangest thing from the whole night was that Port Huron changed goalies for the shootout.  I don't think I've ever seen that.  The funniest thing of the night was the Flags bench during the shootout.  Every player had his helmet on backwards.  It was the hockey version of the "rally cap". It worked.  They won the shootout and grabbed a  4-3 win on the road. After talking with Dobben, it seemed that the players were bummed that they missed the win, but somewhat happy that they grabbed a point.

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K-Wings Drop Shootout
December 22, 2006

It was the biggest game of the year, and it ended with a shootout.  And it didn't end well.  The K-Wings dropped this one to Muskegon 5-4.  Although it was exciting for the fans, I'm sure the players weren't too thrilled with the outcome.  The Fury scored to go ahead with just forty four seconds left in the game.  The good news was that Lucas Drake banged one home fifteen seconds later to tie it and send it to a shootout.  Muskegon owned the shootout.  They've pretty much owned the whole season in the UHL.  They won their 25th game, easily the best in the league.

Shootouts have not been kind to the K-Wings over the past few years, especially at home.  It was good to see that the K-Wings did not give up late in the game.  Overall, it was a relatively entertaining game.   Muskegon played well.  Very consistent. Anyone who beats them this year will have to play flawless hockey for 60 minutes.

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K-Wings Thump Elmira
December 17, 2006

It was a big night for the K-Wings.  They got another big night from Lucas Drake, they won their second in a row, and they scored a bunch of goals at home.  That will make any coach happy.  They beat Elmira 6-2.

Drake scored two more goals in just his second game back after playing somewhere else for the first quarter of the season.  His second goal was a nifty backhand after stealing the puck in the Elmira zone.  Ryan Nie got the win, his first at home.  He played solid and it was nice to see the guys play well in front of him.  He had a shutout going into the third period, but Elmira got a couple in the third.   That's alright, Nick Bootland scored a couple himself in the third.

With the addition of Drake and Jason Lawmaster, and the continued steady performance of the two goaltenders, this team is one of the elite teams again in the UHL.  It's going to be a fun season, and  Muskegon is coming up this weekend.

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K-Wings Knock Off Fort Wayne 4-2
December 16, 2006

Wings Stadium was full of people from Fort Wayne Saturday night. Komet fans went home unhappy, because the K-Wings beat them 4-2, thanks mostly to Lucas Drake.  Can you believe that the guy comes back to the team, and gets a hat trick in his first game?  Not only that, but it  was a natural hat trick, which means he scored all three of his goals  in a row.

The Komets were down 3-2 late in the game, but Nick Bootland scored to put the game out of reach.  The Fort Wayne bench was not happy. They thought the play was offside. I didn't see it, so I can't say what it looked like.  That's the only downside of being the Public Address announcer, there is a lot going on down there, and I have to be sure that I know what announcements are coming up, and when penalties expire, and when a whistle blows, that I only get to watch about sixty percent of the game. But I'm not complaining.  In fact I asked Lucas Drake after the game which was his favorite goal because I didn't see any of them very well.  He like the first one, he said his eyes were closed. Now that's an impressive goal.

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K-Wings Lose Late 3-2
December 9, 2006

Flint scored early and late in this one, to send the K-Wings and their fans home unhappy. The K-Wings were actually down 2-0 in this game before coming back in the third to tie it up. Unfortunately Flint got a goal with 1:57 left in the game for the win. Justin Cross and Scott Dobben got goals for the K-Wings.

I wasn’t real thrilled with the play of Flint’s goalie Bryan Worosz. This guy hacked and slashed his way to a win. Every chance he got, he nailed a K-Wing player with his stick. He even went out of his way to do it. I am not a big fan of goalies who do that on a regular basis. He did get one penalty when he jumped on a K-Wing after a scrum and punched him. I wish the refs would call that kind of stuff more, rather than call borderline hooks and holds all night.

I kept having to do double-takes every time I looked across the ice at the Flint bench. Head coach Kevin Kerr looks exactly like former K-Wings PR guy and GM Steve Doherty. Luckily I had Lasik eye surgery, and can tell the difference between the two guys, but still, it freaks me out.

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K-Wings Back in Win Column
November 19, 2006

The K-Wings finally got back in the win column after a tough week, and they deserved it. This game was all Kalamazoo. The K-Wings beat Bloomington 3-0. They threw a bunch of shots at former K-Wing goalie Jeff Reynaert. That’s not all they threw at him. Tyler Willis had fun yapping at Reynaert and former K-Wing Tyler Rennette all night long. At least they looked like they were having fun. I was a little surprised Reynaert still had his fancy K-Wings goalie mask. I think if I were coaching Bloomington, I would tell him to go to Home Depot and buy a can of spray paint for a buck and paint over that “K”.

This game didn’t feature quite as many penalties as most games this season, which was good. In fact, there were only a couple in the first period. I thanked the ref, Ken Gallagher, after the game. Before the game, Gallagher got an earful from Coach Reeds, who told him he might as well put Tyler Willis in the box right then, since coach figured Willie was going there eventually anyway. I got a kick out of that one.

Congratulations to Tom Askey who grabbed a shutout. Man, the guy shuts out a team, and only gets second star of the game. Ouch.

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Muskegon Knocks Off K-Wings
November 15, 2006

The two best teams in the league met at Wings Stadium Wednesday night, but it didn't work out for the K-Wings. They were on the wrong end of the score, 3-1. It didn't start well for the K-Wings and it didn't end well either. This was a tough game for the K-Wings, it seemed like they got beat to all the pucks and didn't get too many bounces either. Nick Bootland had the only goal. After the game he was not happy. He told me you have to work to create your own breaks, and they just didn't do that.

Muskegon looked strong. They got to every loose puck. They finished checks. They had many odd man rushes. They also out shot the K-Wings, which doesn't happen much at Wings Stadium. The Fury even scored a shorthanded goal in this one. I could tell the entire K-Wings team was frustrated during this game. I suppose during a long season you are going to get a few games like this one. Hey, I just stand there and watch all night, so who am I to judge. They'll be back.

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K-Wings Thump Chicago
November 11, 2006

Chicago came to Wings Stadium for the first time ever. It wasn't a good night for the Hounds. The K-Wings took it to 'em 4-1. The night started with a nice tribute to all veterans on Veteran's Day. Since I'm a veteran myself, I took a little extra time to make sure the activities before the game went smoothly. We had a moment of silence for all veterans, and then afterward, there was a sudden burst of applause. That was cool.

The key moment in this game came in the second period. While Chicago was short handed, they had a breakaway. Tom Askey made the stop, then seconds later the K-Wings went back the other way and scored. It was Brett Pilkington's first goal. Chicago finally got on the board, but it was too late by then. Nick Bootland scored in the third, and that was all she wrote. Chicago just didn't look like they have the guns to win many games.

After the game, Tom Askey was named Star of the Game, and I had to ask him about the upcoming Michigan/Ohio state football game. He played at Ohio State. He of course predicted an Ohio State win and skated off. He's quickly climbing into my Top 10 Interviews of all time. He actually listens to the question, thinks about it a second, then answers.

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K-Wings Beat Fort Wayne Late
November 10, 2006

It wasn't pretty, but it was a win for the Kalamazoo Wings Friday night against Fort Wayne, 3-2. The K-Wings knocked off the Komets with a late goal from Nick Bootland, and stopped the Komet's seven game winning streak. I actually like the Komet's black jerseys. They have the flames coming up from the bottom, it looks cool.

The K-Wings struck first with a shorthanded goal from Kory Karlander. It was a sloppy first period, but the K-Wings grabbed the lead anyway. In the second Fort Wayne tied it up and that set up the third period to see who wanted it more. Shawn Snider had a nice rap around goal in the third, then Nick Bootland banged one in with just 2:20 left in the third to avoid a shootout.

Chris McAllister broke his nose during this game. He told Rick Shanley it was broken during the first intermission interview. I had a nice chat with Guy Dupuis, the former K-Wing, before the game. Guy is one of the all-time nice guys in the league. Of all the guys I've met, gotten to know, and then saw go to other teams, Guy is the one guy who remembers my name. It's cool to talk with him every few months. One of the class guys in minor league hockey.

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K-Wings Get Thumped
November 4, 2006

It was not a pretty game. The K-Wings were taken apart early in this one. Flint just kept coming and coming. They lost 7-4. Unfortunately goaltender Tom Akey wasn’t around to finish. He got yanked after the sixth goal, even though it clearly wasn’t all his fault. That’s usually the case when a team is getting it’s clock cleaned. After the game Kory Karlander told me they all felt bad about it, because they hadn’t given him too much help.

Flint scored the first six in this game. But the K-Wings didn’t give up, which is key to a good team. David Herring got the first goal, then later got into a fight, and threw his helmet at the guy, and got the boot. I didn’t get to see it, but all the reports I got said that Herring clearing got the win in the fight. The K-Wings actually scored four straight goals, but it was too late by then. Flint just had too much of a lead. I thought Ryan Nie played well in goal replacing Askey.

I noticed Tyler Willis tried to shake things up, but couldn’t get Dion Hyman to drop the gloves. Apparently Hyman had a concussion the week before and wasn’t ready to bang with Willis. At least that’s what Shaun Fisher told Willis in the penalty box.

Maybe it was good to get this one out of their system. As fans, we haven’t had to see too many of those kind of games in the past couple of years here in Kalamazoo. We’ve been a bit spoiled. But let’s face it, you literally can’t win ‘em all in hockey.

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K-Wings Shutout Port Huron 4-0
November 3, 2006

It was a balanced attack Friday night for the K-Wings. They scored goals in each period and shutout Port Huron 4-0. This one was a hard hitting game right from the start. Good stuff. Kory Karlander, Nick Bootland, Adam Elzinga and Justin Cross all scored goals. The K-Wings also chased a goaltender for the first time this year. That’s always fun.

If this game is any indication as to what we’re going to see again this season, the fans are in for a fun year. The K-Wings played a great game and the goaltending of Tom Askey was amazing. This guy is one of the most fundamentally sound goalies I’ve ever seen. Pretty good effort tonight and I think the team played with a lot of confidence, which is awesome considering how early in the season we are.

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K-Wings Lose First Game
October 28, 2006

Well it was bound to happen sooner or later. The Kalamazoo Wings lost for the first time this season. Muskegon is now the only unbeaten team in the league. They beat the K-Wings 4-3. The K-Wings played a brilliant first period, then let it slip away.

Unfortunately the K-Wings couldn’t capitalize on a 5 on 3 in the third period. Muskegon looked really good, but then again, they’ve still got a veteran team. Their goalie even got an assist. Tyler Willis got a penalty late in the game that sealed the deal for the Fury. Willie spent the rest of the game yapping at the Muskegon bench. Still, even with the loss, the K-Wings are clearly one of the top teams in the league.

After the game, fans forgave Willis and one fan paid $3000 for his Halloween jersey at the Charity Auction. I love these jersey auctions. They’re fun and raise a bunch of money for area groups. Kudos to the K-Wings for doing them. I love helping other people spend their money.

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K-Wings Win Home Opener
October 21, 2006

The night started off with the raising of the banners, showing off of the rings, and plenty of booming fireworks. There is nothing like seeing three banners drop from the rafters. That was fun. I got a close up look at the rings before the ceremony, and I have to admit, I am jealous. Those babies are sweet. It was cool to see the smiles on everyone’s face who got one from Paul Pickard. The Kalamazoo Wings staff did a great job organizing and pulling off the pre-game festivities. The game featured a coach getting knocked out, blood, and a penalty shot. Scott Dobben banged in two goals including a penalty shot in the third period to tie the game. He then knocked one in with 1:30 to go for the win. After the game I talked with him during the Star of the Game Show, and forgot to ask about the penalty shot. How dumb could I be? But it was a hectic night, and I am always in a hurry to get questions ready at the end of the game.

Flint’s coach Kevin Kerr apparently fell off the bench when he was trying to watch the penalty shot. The ref came rushing over to the box to us to tell me to call for the team doctor. Rick Hoffman, one of the penalty box officials, apparently has been or is certified to be an EMT, ran over to the box to see what was up. The ref told us to call up to the commissioner to tell him what happened. He did not want me to announce it at the time. Kerr fell, hit his head, and was knocked out briefly. He got up woozy and limped off the ice at the end of the game. Hopefully he’ll be ok.

The K-Wings are now 3-0 on the young season and the home opener was impressive. I am not too thrilled with the penalty calls. I know they’re trying to use the NHL rules, but it’s really too much. At this rate, they’ll break all kinds of power play records in the league. It seems like the whole game was played with someone in the box.

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