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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Air-Tight Defense Leads Wings to Victory over Beast

January 20, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


BRAMPTON, ON- The Kalamazoo Wings used lockdown defense to withstand a late charge from the Brampton Beast on Friday night, as Joel Martin's 33 saves led the Wings to a 2-1 victory at the Powerade Centre.

The first period was a highly-contested frame, with both teams generating a bevy of chances. The goaltenders were spectacular during the first, as Joel Martin made 12 stops, and his counterpart, Zach Fucale, turned away ten Kalamazoo tries. Fucale also stopped a penalty shot opportunity from Peter Schneider at the 8:42 mark of the period.

The second period had all the makings of the first as the first 13 minutes were highlighted by more defensive hockey. However, it was the Beast that broke the ice and earned the game's first goal. David Ling set up along the back door and tipped a Reggie Traccitto shot into the goal.

Brampton's lead lasted only eleven seconds, as Kalamazoo tied the game moments later on a net-driving play from Tyler Biggs. Off a face-off in the attacking zone, Dajon Mingo flicked the puck towards the goal and Fucale made the save, but Biggs crashed the net and deposited the rebound for his sixth of the season.

Later in the period, Kalamazoo kept their foot on the gas and upped the pressure on the forecheck in the closing seconds. Schneider forced a turnover from the Brampton defense and steered the puck towards the goal for Lane Scheidl, who shoveled the puck along for Kyle Blaney. Blaney was unmarked next to the goal and buried the back-door setup for his fourth of the season.

The third period was dominated by Brampton, but it was Martin who stole the show for Kalamazoo. The Beast fired 17 shots towards the Kalamazoo netminder in the final frame, but Martin fought off each effort on his way to the first star of the game honors and a 33-save win.

Next: Kalamazoo vs. Ft. Wayne Komets- Saturday, January 21, 7:00 p.m., Wings Event Center.

Broadcast information: Saturday's game will air on AM 1660 The Fan in Kalamazoo or online at www.1660thefan.com/listen-live.

Notes: Schneider's first-period penalty shot was the second of the season for the Wings (0/2)...Biggs's goal was his first since November 30...Scheidl is on a four-game point streak...Kalamazoo are 5-0-1-0 against Brampton this season... The Wings are 12-3-1-0 against Brampton all-time... Kalamazoo were 3/3 on the penalty kill.

Stats: http://www.echl.com/game-summary?game_id14313

Single-game tickets are on sale! Tickets start as low as $10 and can be purchased at www.kwings.com/tickets/schedule or at the Wings Event Center box office.

Wings Event Center, owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, is home to the minor league hockey team Kalamazoo Wings and a full entertainment venue offering concerts, sporting events, family shows and trade shows. Built in 1974, Wings Event Center values partnerships with the community to bring events and attractions that enrich the lives of residents in the Kalamazoo area.

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