Fort Wayne, IN – Special teams proved to be the difference in game three, as the Kalamazoo Wings went 0 for 9 on the man-advantage, while the Fort Wayne Komets generated three power-play goals on eight chances en route to a 5-1 victory to take a two games to one lead in the International Hockey League’s best-of-seven Turner Cup Semi-Final series.
Earning a power-play opportunity 26 seconds into the contest on a Rick Cleaver interference infraction, the Komets connected for the lone goal in the period with a man-advantage tally from Keith Rodger (1st) 2:11 into the game.
Outscoring the K-Wings 4-0 in the second period through two games of the series, the Komets continued their stronghold on Kalamazoo exploding for two goals.
Rick Varone (1st) knocked in a rebound 3:44 into the second to extend the Komets lead to 2-0. Following Varone’s tally less than two minutes later, Mathieu Curadeau (2nd) deflected a power-play blast from Rod Aldoff to push Fort Wayne’s cushion to three goals.
Kalamazoo registered their lone goal 5:08 into the third period, when the league’s Aquafina Rookie of the Year Rick Cleaver (1st) snipped a wrist shot over Nick Boucher.
Fort Wayne tacked on a pair of goals from David Hukalo (2nd) and Justin Hodgman (2nd) 15 seconds apart midway in the period to seal the victory.
Boucher stopped 37 shots to improve his playoff record to 2-1, while Jason Tapp recorded 35 saves in defeat, which dropped his record to 1-1.
For Game Stats: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=979227
The K-Wings and Komets will head back to Wings Stadium this Wednesday, April 22nd for a 7 p.m. face-off for game four of the Turner Cup Semi-Finals. While supplies last, fans attending game four will receive a FREE pair of Thundersticks courtesy of Jaspare’s Pizza and Fine Italian Food and J.R. Electrical Services.
Individual playoff tickets are on sale now to the general public. Tickets for K-Wings home games in the postseason will range from $10.90 (Blue Level)-$15.90 (Red Level). Seats for kids 12 and under will cost $7.90. Ticket will increase $1 on day of game purchases.
Single-game playoff tickets for any of the K-Wings Turner Cup Playoff home games are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call 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.
