Kalamazoo, MI – After not passing the test on their first Education Day, the Kalamazoo Wings earned an “A” in their second with a 6-3 victory over the Flint Generals in front of a crowd of 4,229, mainly comprised of students for 19 schools around southwest Michigan.
Jaroslav Cesky (2nd) gave the Generals an early lead scoring on a rebound at the 5:59 mark.
Kalamazoo pulled even with 17 seconds remaining in the period with a power-play marker from Ryan Markham (7th). Earning an assist on the goal was Justin Cross. The point was Cross’ 100th in his career.
Inches away from regaining the lead, Jordan Fox’s breakaway was snuffed out by the skate blade of Jeff Reynaert, who was leaning the opposite way, but was able to kick the puck with his left leg.
Lucas Drake forged the K-Wings ahead 2-1 on a wrist shot from the slot. Upping their lead to 3-1, Tyler Willis sent a perfect drop pass to Kory Karlander (32nd), who beat goaltender Eric Marvin on a wrist shot.
The highlight of the season may have happened at the 17:07 mark of the period. After taking the puck away from former K-Wing Nello Ferrara, Glenn Detulleo on a spin-o-rama sent a perfect pass to Cross (15th), who one-timed it blocker side past Marvin.
Attempting a comeback, Mike Kinnie (19th) and John DiPace (17th) each lit the lamp to bring the Generals back to within a single goal at 4-3.
Kalamazoo put the game on ice adding tallies from Nick Bootland (36th) and a second from Karlander (34th) giving the K-Wings the eventual 6-3 victory. Willis, who assisted on both goals, finished the contest with a K-Wings’ and IHL season high five assists.
The win gives the K-Wings sole possession of fourth place in league. Kalamazoo’s victory was also their fourth straight at Wings Stadium, which is a season-high for the K-Wings.
For Game Stats: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=533953.
Kalamazoo will hit the road for two straight starting this Friday, March 14th against the Fort Wayne Komets at 8 p.m.
The K-Wings will return home this Monday, March 17th for a 7 p.m. face-off versus the Komets during the 27th Annual Fifth-Third Bank World Famous St. Patrick’s Day “Green Ice” Game presented by WRKR and The CW 7.
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.
