Kalamazoo, MI- In a physical game that had the atmosphere of playoff hockey, it was the Fort Wayne Komets that used a three-goal output in the second period to defeat the Kalamazoo Wings 5-2 at Wings Stadium.
Bringing the crowd of 3,552 to its feet just 3:18 into the contest, Dan Carney’s shot from the left point was deflected by Travis Granbois (6th) and past Komets goaltender Nick Boucher.
Midway in the period, Luciano Aquino knotted the game at 1-1 with a slap shot from the slot. Three minutes later on a breakaway, Glenn Detulleo hooked Fort Wayne’s Mathieu Curadeau to the ice, which lead to a penalty shot. Curadeau (21st) took advantage of the most exciting play in hockey giving the Komets their first lead of the night.
Answering back moments later, Nick Bootland (26th) recorded the equalizer on his IHL leading 12th power-play tally of the season.
Fort Wayne took the game over in the second, scoring three times, including the eventual game-winner from David Hukalo (9th) at the 6:47 mark of the period. The goal gave Hukalo five game-winners on the season, which ties him with Colin Chaulk and Matt Reynolds for the Komets team lead.
Reynolds (16th) added insurance for the Komets finishing on a two-on-one shorthanded goal. The shorthander was Fort Wayne’s league leading ninth this season.
The Komets concluded the game’s scoring with just over two minutes remaining in the second with a five-on-three power-play strike from P.C. Drouin (7th).
The victory gave the Komets a win in three straight games, while ending the K-Wings two-game Wings Stadium winning streak.
For Game Stats: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=533876
Kalamazoo will next hit the ice for three games in three nights starting with a rare Thursday road battle on February 7th against the Port Huron Icehawks.
The K-Wings return home next weekend to commence a three-game home stand on Friday, February 8th versus the Muskegon Fury at 7:30 p.m. The nationally renowned Quick Change will perform during the first period intermission. Kalamazoo will conclude next week with a second encounter against Muskegon on Saturday, February 8th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off on Celebration Cinema Night.
Single game tickets for the entire K-Wings 2007-08 home schedule are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Tickets range from $9-$14. Prices for K-Wings games will increase $1 for premium game nights (Orange Ice, Pink Ice, Green Ice & New Years Eve). Fans are also encouraged to purchase their game tickets in advance, as they will save $1 per ticket by getting their seats prior to a game day.
Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call the Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.
For more information about tonight’s game, please contact Director of Public Relations/Broadcaster Mike Modugno at (269) 349-9772 extension 220.
