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Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

March 15, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Friday, March 12th @ Elmira (Kalamazoo 5-Elmira 2)

Elmira, NY- The Kalamazoo Wings continued their winning ways, raising their unbeaten streak to 11 games (9-0-1-1) with a 5-2 victory over the Elmira Jackals.

Pressuring defense in the Elmira zone led to several turnovers in the opening period for the Jackals and in return scoring opportunities for the K-Wings leading to both goals for Kalamazoo.

Stealing the puck at the blue-line, Patrick Asselin pushed the puck to Mathieu Curadeau, who sent a one-touch pass to Rick Cleaver for this team-leading 27th lamp-lighter of the season.

The assist by Asselin extended his point streak to five games.

Striking again midway in the period, Dean Strong stripped a Jackal off the puck and played it behind the net to Andrew Fournier (20th), who scored on a wrap-around 13:16 into the first period to push the K-Wings lead to 2-0.

Kalamazoo went up by three goals 8:57 into the second period with a tally from Dean Strong (8th), who tapped in a rebound from Darryl Lloyd. The point from Lloyd was Lloyd's 199th of his career.

Fighting back, Elmira struck for a pair of goals in the period. Chaz Johnson (7th) recorded a wrister from the slot 17 seconds after Strong's marker to put the Jackals on the scoreboard.

With 56 seconds remaining the period, Elmira climbed back to within a single-goal, when Tyler Donati snuck the puck past Ryan Nie to give the Jackals some momentum.

The boost for the Jackals was short lived; as Strong (9th) earned his second of the night on a no angle shot form the left corner to reclaim the two-goal lead for Kalamazoo.

Assisting on Strong's second goal were Ryan McGinnis and Fournier. McGinnis, who was playing in his first game since January 30th for the K-Wings because of playing the AHL, has now earned points in five straight games for Kalamazoo.

Sam Ftorek put the game out of reach in the third period with a blast from the right point. The goal was Ftorek's 16th of the season and the 199th of his career.

The victory put the K-Wings to within one point of the North Division lead held by the Cincinnati Cyclones, who were idle on Friday.

Saturday, March 13th @ Trenton (Trenton 5-Kalamazoo 4)

Trenton, NJ- All good things must come to an end and for the Kalamazoo Wings that includes their season-high 11-game unbeaten streak, which was snapped with a 5-4 loss to the Trenton Devils.

The opening 20 minutes of play only produced a combined total of 13 shots, with Trenton out-shooting Kalamazoo 8-5.

However, the defensive first period did generate to some scoring chances. Chris Poli (10th) gave the Devils the lead 9:17 into the game with a right circle slap shot.

Connecting on their lone power-play chance of the period, Jeff Prough earned his team-leading 25th goal of the season and 11th on the power-play to extend Trenton's lead to two goals.

Kalamazoo cut the deficit in half 16:10 into the stanza with a man-advantage marker from Trent Daavettila (18th).

Battling in front of the crease, Dan Eves (16th) out-muscled Ryan Nie as he pushed the puck past the goaltender early in the second period.

Kalamazoo stormed back with a pair of goals 1:30 a part from each other midway in the period to tie the game at 3-3.

Set up by a cross rink feed by Brian McGuirk, Rick Cleaver (28th) pushed the K-Wings back to single goal by roofing the pass over Dave Caruso.

Moments later on the power-play, Sam Ftorek's blue line blast was deflected by Dean Strong (10th) to even the contest.

Trenton went back in front 15:44 into the stanza with a right circle wrist shot from Tim Kunes (6th).

Capitalizing for third power-play tally of the game, Strong (11th) recorded the equalizer 12:43 into the period. The K-Wings finished the contest 3-for-6 on the power-play.

Not to be outdone, Kunes (7th) answered with a power-play goal of his own four minutes later, which proved to be the game-winner. Trenton concluded the game 2-for-5 with a man-advantage.

Sunday, March 14th @ Wheeling (Kalamazoo 4-Wheeling 1)

Wheeling, WV- On a night full of milestones, the Kalamazoo Wings moved to within a single point of first place in the North Division with a 4-1 victory over the Wheeling Nailers.

Looking to avenge a nine-goal loss the last time the two teams met on February 6th, the K-Wings got off to a good start despite being out-shot 17-6 in the opening period. Recording the 200th point of his career, Darryl Lloyd sprung up the left side of the attack zone and beat Adam Berkhoel for his 17th goal of the season.

Assisting on the goal was Andrew Fournier and Dean Strong. By registering an assist, Fournier has now earned points in four straight contests, while Strong extended his point streak to five games.

Killing off a 5-on-3 power-play, Trent Daavettila (19th) stole the puck at his blue line raced it up and when it looked like he was trapped, he split two defenders and scored his second

shorthander of the season.

Celebrating his 700th game of his pro career, Sam Ftorek (17th) made the night more special by recording his 200th career goal on a rocket from the right point.

An innocent dump in from Rick Cleaver turned into a scoring chance when it hit the end wall and bounded in front to Brian McGuirk for his 13th goal of the season.

Kevin Schmidt (7th) brought the Nailers on the scoreboard connecting on the team's 10th power-play chance of the night.

Kalamazoo was out-shot 41-20 in the contest, the 20 shots matches a season-low for the K-Wings.

The K-Wings went 0-for-2 on the power-play, while the Nailers struggled going 1-for-10.

Fast Forward

Kalamazoo will get ready for three games this week all against the Wheeling Nailers. After seven straight games on the road, the K-Wings will return to Wings Stadium this Wednesday, March 17th with a 7 p.m. encounter versus the Nailers during the 29th Annual "World Famous" St. Patrick's Day Green Ice Game, presented by Fifth-Third Bank and WWMT.

On Friday, March 19th, the K-Wings and Nailers will square off again at Wings Stadium on PNC Bank Night, featuring a Frugal Fan Friday and a Win-Win Night, presented by WNWN. Fans can purchase $1 beers and $1 hot dogs; also if Kalamazoo wins, all fans in attendance will receive a FREE ticket to the K-Wings contest on March 24th versus Elmira.

The K-Wing will conclude the week on Saturday, March 20th with a 7:35 p.m. encounter against the Nailers at the WesBanco Arena. On the season, Kalamazoo is 3-2-0-0 against Wheeling.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Rick Cleaver (28 Goals)

Assists: Andrew Fournier (36 Assists)

Points: Rick Cleaver (61 Points)

+/-: Mathieu Curadeau (+18)

Penalty Minutes: Darryl Lloyd (141 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Rick Cleaver (12 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Brian McGuirk (4 Goals)

Game Winning Goals: Mathieu Curadeau, Trent Daavettila (4 GW)

Shots: Sam Ftorek (192 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Patrick Asselin (20.9%)

Overtime Goals: Rick Cleaver, Mathieu Curadeau, Jon Landry,

Brian McGuirk (1 Goal)

Shootout Goals: Rick Cleaver (4 Goals)

Shootout Percentage: Matt Jones, Brian McGuirk (100%)

Goals Against Average: Ryan Nie (2.92)

Save Percentage: Ryan Nie (0.909)

Asselin Nears Milestone

Forward Patrick Asselin is closing in a on a personal milestone. Asselin needs one more point to reach 100 in his career.

Sharing the Wealth

Spreading the scoring around, five members of the K-Wings enter the week on impressive multi-game point streaks. Rick Cleaver, Andrew Fournier and Sam Ftorek are on four-game point streaks, while Patrick Asselin and Dean Strong have each earned points in five straight games.

Right at Home

Forward Dean Strong has definitely felt at home at Wings Stadium. Strong has earned points in all ten games (6 goals, 8 assists) he has played on Vanrick Drive.

Welcome Home

After seven straight on the road, the K-Wings will return home for two straight games starting this Wednesday. Kalamazoo enters the week looking to extend a season-high 13-game (12-0-0-1) unbeaten streak in regulation and a six-game winning streak at Wings Stadium.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Wednesday will be the 29th Annual "World Famous" St. Patrick's Day Green Ice Game, presented by Fifth-Third Bank and WWMT. The K-Wings are 18-7-0-3 on contests played on green ice.

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.

McGinnis and Versteeg on the Radio

Join special guests Ryan McGinnis and Mitch Versteeg as they join Head Coach Nick Bootland and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno this Monday 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.

Upcoming Games

Wednesday, March 17th Vs Wheeling 7:00 PM (29th Annual World Famous St.

Patrick's Day Green Ice Game, Presented by Fifth-Third Bank and WWMT)

Friday, March 19th Vs Wheeling 7:30 PM (PNC Bank Night and Win-Win

Night, Presented by WNWN)

Saturday, March 20th @ Wheeling 7:30 PM

Wednesday, March 24th Vs Elmira 7:00 PM

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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