Kalamazoo, MI– With Kalamazoo and Flint both needing victories to increase their playoff chances, it was Generals that provided the offensive arsenal need to secure a 5-1 victory and an IHL playoff berth.
Neither the K-Wings nor the Generals were able to get the puck across the goal line in the first period, but Flint would make amends in the second, scoring twice in the period.
Michel Beausoleil knocked in his team-leading 35th goal of the season 1:08 into the second to give the Generals a 1-0 lead.
Nearly eight minutes later, Jaroslav Cesky (13th) put a left point blast over the glove hand of K-Wings goaltender Jeff Reynaert to extend Flint’s advantage to 2-0.
Kalamazoo cut the deficit to a single goal early in the third with a power-play tally from Kory Karlander (38th) 26 seconds into the period.
Taking advantage off a K-Wings turnover, Jaroslav Cesky sent a pass into the slot to Jordan Fox, who buried it past Reynaert for his 26th goal of the year.
Travis Granbois thought he brought the K-Wings back to within a goal at 3-2, as his shot beat Chad Alban and into the net; however, the lamp lighter was negated because of a cross check prior to the goal from Tyler Willis.
While the K-Wings couldn’t regain the momentum, the Generals could, receiving goals from Greg Bullock (26th) and Josef Fojtik (27th) en route to a 5-1 victory.
The loss, coupled with a Muskegon Fury overtime loss, put the K-Wings two points behind the Fury for fourth place in the league.
With the victory Flint will head into the playoffs for the 2nd straight season for the first-time since the 1999-00 season.
For Game Stats: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=533996.
Kalamazoo will hit the road for the final time in the regular season this Friday, April 11th, as the K-Wings start a home and home series with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at McMorran Place Arena versus the Port Huron Icehawks.
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 moreinformation, 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.
