Game Rewind

Wednesday, February 17th @ Florida (Florida 4-Kalamazoo 2)

Estero, Florida- Unable to overcome a four-goal deficit, the Kalamazoo Wings extended their road winless streak to nine games (0-8-0-1) with a 4-2 loss to the Florida Everblades.

Penalties hurt the K-Wings in the opening period, as three infractions against Kalamazoo led to two goals for Florida. Returning from his American Hockey League call-up from the Albany River Rats earlier in the day, Milian Gajic scored his eight of the season with a power-play strike.

The Everblades extended their lead five minutes later, with another man-advantage tally, this time from Ryan Lang (14th).

A blast form the point from Matt Duffy (4th) not only pushed the Everblades advantage to three goals, in forced Ryan Nie out of the game. Kalamazoo pulled Nie for Jeremy Duchesne after the netminder allowed three goals on 18 shots.

Tacking on his second goal of the game and his ninth of the season in the second period, Gajic struck again on the power-play to lift the Everblades lead to 4-0.

Trying to mount a comeback in the third period, Kalamazoo rallied for two goals. Patrick Asselin (5th) knocked in a loose puck on the side of the net, which snapped a road goalless streak of 140:24 for the K-Wings. 

The K-Wings climbed back to within two goals later in the period with a shorthanded marker from Brian McGuirk (8th), who now leads Kalamazoo in shorthanded goals with two.

Kalamazoo finished the game 0-for-3 on the power-play, while Florida went 3-for-6.

Friday, February 19th @ Florida (Kalamazoo 4-Florida 3-Overtime)

Estero, Florida- Before Friday, the Kalamazoo Wings last won on the road on January 6th with a 4-3 overtime victory against Johnstown. After enduring a season-high nine-game road winless streak (0-8-0-1), the K-Wings used OT once again to end the streak, this time a 4-3 decision against the Florida Everblades. 

Darryl Lloyd (14th) helped the K-Wings to get off to a fast start scoring on the teams first shot of the night. Lloyd’s misdirection of an Andrew Fournier pass 2:19 into the game, was Fournier’s team-leading 30th assist and 48th point overall.

Storming back, Florida gained the lead after scoring two unanswered goals. Former K-Wing, Dominic Osman (14th) tied the game at 1-1 on a wrap-around, while Mathieu Roy (12th) gave the ‘Blades the lead with a slap shot from the shot.

Snapping a 0-for-16 drought on the power-play against Florida, Trent Daavettila recorded the equalizer with his 14th lamp-lighter of the season.

The K-Wings out-shot the Everblades 20-7 in the opening period. The 20 shots ties a season-high for most shots for Kalamazoo in the first period, established on November 28th at Wings Stadium versus Florida. 

Momentum switch in the second period, as the Everblades regained the lead 22 seconds in the period with Osman’s (15th) second of the night.

Osman had an opportunity for a hat trick in the stanza, as he was awarded a penalty shot 12:11 into the frame. Forcing the shot wide, Osman squandered the chance and Florida’s maintained a one-goal advantage.

In the second, the Everblades out-shot the K-Wings 13-6 with most of their opportunities occurring on three power-play chances, in which Florida wasn’t able to capitalize on.

Not to be denied midway in the third period, Rick Cleaver pulled the K-Wings even netting his team-leading 20th goal of the season.

Making the comeback complete, Brian McGuirk (9th) skated diagonal from the right point to the slot and flung the game-winner past Chris Beckford-Tsu. 

Saturday, February 20th @ Florida (Florida 4-Kalamazoo 3-Shootout)

Estero, Florida- For the second straight night extra session was needed between the Kalamazoo Wings and the Florida Everblades, but this time it was the Everblades that would record the 4-3 shootout victory.

Jumping ahead midway into the period, Florida’s Elgin Reid (5th) streaked up the left side of the attack zone and sniped a power-play tally from atop of the circle.

The pace and physicality increased in the second period and while neither team could take advantage early in the period, both were able to register on the scoreboard late in the stanza.

Florida extended their lead 15:40 into the second with a rebound marker from Milian Gajic (10th). Bouncing back 11 seconds later, Patrick Asselin brought the K-Wings back to within a single goal scoring his sixth goal of the season, when he beat Chris Beckford-Tsu blocker side-high with a wrist shot.

Continuing the comeback in the third, the K-Wing answered back with two more goals. Setting up behind the net, Mathieu Curadeau sent a perfect pass to crease, where Trent Daavettila (15th) tipped in the equalizer.

Earning their first lead of the game, Brian McGuirk stole the puck from the right corner and feed Asselin for his second lamp-lighter of the game and seventh of the season.

A late penalty against Kalamazoo turned into a golden opportunity for Florida, as Kevin Baker (9th) capitalized with a power-play goal to tie the contest at 3-3.

Remaining tied throughout the remainder of regulation and overtime, the game would be settled in a shootout. Florida out-dueled Kalamazoo 3-1 in the extra session to earn the victory.

With receiving a point for the shootout loss, the K-Wings regain sole possession of second place in the North Division.

Fast Forward

Kalamazoo will continue the gauntlet of South Division opponents with four games this week. The K-Wings will begin the week on Wednesday, February 24th with a 10:30 a.m. face-off, as the Gwinnett Gladiators come to Wings Stadium on Education Day, presented by Borgess Health and ECCU. Starting a four-game home stand on Wednesday, the K-Wings have earned points in nine straight games at home (8-0-0-1).

The K-Wings and Gladiators will meet again on Friday, February 26th for a 7:30 encounter on Frugal Fan Friday, which features $1 beer and $1 hot dogs, presented by B-93. Kalamazoo is 2-0-1-0 versus Gwinnett, who starts the week in fourth place in the South.

On Saturday, February 27th, the Charlotte Checkers will invade Wings Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. face-off on Sportclips Haircuts Night. On the season, the K-Wings are 3-0-0-1 versus the Checkers.

Concluding their four-game home stand on Sunday, February 28th, the K-Wings will battle the Checkers at 4 p.m. on Faith Day. With 64 points, Charlotte starts the week in third place in the South, just one point behind the Florida Everblades, who are in second. Large numbers of church groups have already reserved their seats not only for the game, but to hear Rock Campbell, the Central Michigan director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, speak in the Cube Viewing Arena prior to the contest at 2:30 p.m.                                                          

Nearing the Century Mark

Forward Andrew Fournier is closing in a on a personal milestone. Fournier’s next game will be the 100th in his professional career.

Good Things Come in Threes

Forward Brian McGuirk starts the week on a three-game point streak. McGuirk has recorded four points (2 goals, 2 assists) during the current stretch.

Home Cooking

Forwards Andrew Fournier and Dean Strong have definitely felt at home at Wings Stadium. Fournier enters the day on a 11-game home point streak (3 goals, 14 assists), as well as an nine-game home assist streak, while Strong has earned points in all six games (3 goals, 5 assists) he has played on Vanrick Drive.

Home Sweet Home

Starting a four-game home stand on Wednesday, Kalamazoo is looking to extend a nine-game (8-0-0-1). unbeaten streak in regulation at Wings Stadium The nine-game home unbeaten streak is a season-high for Kalamazoo.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Dating back to last season, goaltender Jeremy Duchesne is unbeaten in regulation at home in his last eight appearances (5-0-2-1). Duchesne, who has gone to either overtime or a shootout in four of his six home starts with Kalamazoo; the last lost on home ice on January 30, 2009 against the Florida Everblades, when he was a member of the South Carolina Stingrays.

Tickets! Get Your Tickets!!

Tickets for all K-Wings home games are now on sale. Catch all the action as your K-Wings play the very best the ECHL has to offer. Tickets are on sale now by calling the Wings Stadium Ticket Office at (269) 345-5101.

Get On-Line

This season, the best way to keep track of the K-Wings is to log onto www.kwings.com. The site has player profiles, information about Wings Stadium events, and much, much more.

Asselin and Nie on the Radio

Join special guests Patrick Asselin and Ryan Nie as they join Head Coach Nick Bootland and the “Voice of the K-Wings” Mike Modugno tonight on “K-Wings Live”. The show is on The Classic Hits Station WLKM (95.9 FM) and online through the B-2 Networks through www.kwings.com from 7-8 p.m. at Old Burdick’s Bar and Grill inside the Holiday Inn Kalamazoo on South 11th Street. 

K-Wings on Radio

Catch all the K-Wings games, home and away, on the K-Wings Radio Network (95.9 FM WLKM & B-2 Networks on kwings.com). Join the “Voice of the K-Wings” Mike Modugno for all 72 regular season games plus the playoffs. Pre-game coverage begins with the Kalsee Credit Union Pre-Game Show 15 minutes prior to face-off. For the most complete coverage of the K-Wings from the opening face-off to the final buzzer, keep your radio tuned this season to the K-Wings Radio Network.