Reading, PA- Saving his best for last Mathieu Curadeau kept the Kalamazoo Wings postseason hopes alive scoring twice to force overtime and then again in the extra session to lead the K-Wings past the Reading Royals 4-3. The victory evens the series at two games a piece.

Entering Sunday evening, the K-Wings were outscored 6-0 in the first period against the Royals in the first three games of the series. On Sunday, Kalamazoo continued their first period struggles, surrendering two goals in the opening 20 minutes of play.

For the third-time in four games, the opening goal of the contest would come off the stick of Yannick Riendeau (3rd), this time on a wrap-around 4:09 into the period.

Reading extended their lead later in the period, when Olivier Labelle (3rd) deflected a Ryan Cruthers shot past K-Wings goaltender Riley Gill.

Early in the second period, Labelle followed up his own shot with a rebound marker 2:54 into the period. The goal was Labelle’s team-leading fourth of the playoffs. Also earning a point on the goal was Cruthers, who receive his league-leading 10th point of the playoffs on a secondary assist.

Less than two minutes later, Kalamazoo rung up their first goal of the night, when Dean Strong won a face-off back to Mitch Versteeg. Shooting from the point, Versteeg’s blast was deflected by Brian McGuirk (1st) over the shoulder of Matt Dalton.

With their season waiting the in the balance, Kalamazoo climbed back to within a single-goal on a tally from Trent Daavettila. The goal was Daavettila’s team-leading third of the playoffs and team-leading fifth point of the postseason.

Floating the puck up ice, Versteeg, found Sam Ftorek at the Reading blue line, creating a three-on two, Ftorek send a quick pass to Andrew Fournier, who found Daavettila open for the goal.

Trailing 3-2 with less than 40 seconds left and with an empty-net, the K-Wings pulled even with an equalizer from Curadeau (2nd). The puck loose in front, Curadeau battled for the rebound to net his second of the playoffs, which forced overtime.

With their backs against the wall, Curadeau looked off a pass and skated into the slot. Finding open space in the slot, Curadeau raced to the open ice and fired the game-winner 2:51 into overtime.

Curadeau, who now has three goals in the postseason, has recorded a game-tying and two overtime game-winners in his year’s playoffs.

In his first playoff start, Gill (1-1) stopped 36 shots for the victory, while Dalton (2-2) saved 41 in defeat.

For Game Stats: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=7920.    

It’s win or go home, as the K-Wings battle the Royals in a decisive game five of the best-of five series at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow, Monday April 12th at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania.  

Single-game tickets for any of the K-Wings Kelly 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

 

 

 

 

                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                        

 

                                                              

 

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