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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Countdown to Face-Off: Kalamazoo Wings vs Wheeling Nailers

January 30, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo Wings Vs Wheeling Nailers

Wings Stadium Kalamazoo, Michigan

Friday, January 30, 2015 7:30 PM

Game Preview

Last meeting nearly a year ago, two teams that are separated by a single point in the North Division standings will meet for two consecutive nights, as the Kalamazoo Wings will host the Wheeling Nailers at Wings Stadium. Tonight will be the first of five meetings this season between the teams.

The K-Wings enter tonight looking to extend a season long nine-game (8-0-0-1) unbeaten streak. Besides their overall streak, Kalamazoo is riding a five-game home winning streak. Kalamazoo begins the day in fourth place in the North Division, three points behind the third place Cincinnati Cyclones.

Winless in their last two games, Wheeling hits the road looking to get back to their winning ways. With 38 points, the Nailers start the night just a point behind the K-Wings for fourth place. Tonight is the second game of a four-game road swing for the Nailers, who began the trip with a 5-2 loss on Sunday to the Toledo Walleye.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings Wheeling Nailers

Goals: Matt Caria (12 Goals) Derek Army (17 Goals)

Assists: Eric Kattelus (20 Assists) Riley Brace (27 Assists)

Points: Curtis Valk (30 Points) Riley Brace (37 Points)

+/-: Sacha Guimond (+13) Shawn Skelly (+5)

Penalty Minutes: Ray Kaunisto (63 Minutes) Patrick McGrath (97 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Dane Fox (4 Goals) Riley Brace (5 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Matt Caria, Eric Kattelus, Sahir Gill, Trevor Murovich (2 Goals)

Nathan Longpre (1 Goal)

Game Winning Goals: Six Players Tied (2 GW) Morgan Ellis, David Gilbert (3 GW)

Shots: Nathan Longpre (102 Shots) Derek Army (126 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Michael Neal (17.9 %) Martia Marcantuoni (20%)

Overtime Goals: Eric Kattelus, Zach McCullough (1 Goal) Entire Team (0 Goals)

Shootout Goals: Nathan Longpre, Gergo Nagy, David Gilbert, Shawn Skelly, Justin Taylor (1 Goal) Zach Torquato (1 Goal)

Shootout Percentage: Gergo Nagy (100%) Shawn Skelly, Zach Torquato (100 %)

Goals Against Average: Scott Munroe (2.53 ) Franky Palazzese (2.65)

Save Percentage: Joel Martin (0.911) Franky Palazzese (0.914)

All-Time/ Season Series

All-Time Series: K-Wings Lead All-Time Series: 14-8-1-4

Season Series: First Meeting of the Season

Last Meeting: K-Wings Won 3-1 on February 2nd @ WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, WV (2013-14 Season)

Next Meeting: Saturday, January 31st @ Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Roster Moves

Earlier today forward Nathan Longpre was recalled to the AHL's Chicago Wolves. In a separate transaction, the K-Wings signed Larkin Saalfrank as an emergency backup goaltender.

Power Outage

Dating back to the second period of the game on January 16th, the K-Wings are 0-for-24 on the power-play. Ironically during that same time span, Kalamazoo's special team unit has scored two shorthanded goals.

Feels Like the First Time

Defenseman Zach McCullough found the perfect time to register his first pro goal. The second-year blue-liner scored the game-winner during the K-Wings' come-from-behind 4-3 overtime victory last Sunday versus the Allen Americans.

Nearing Double Digits

Kalamazoo begins the week on a nine-game (8-0-0-1) unbeaten streak. The nine-game streak is a season long for the K-Wings.

Heating Up

Two members of the Nailers begin the night on impressive point streaks. Derek Army is on a six-game point streak, while Zach Torquato has earned points in three straight contests.

Power-Play Yin and Yang

Owning the league's seventh most productive power-play at 19.5%, the Nailers special team's success has occurred mainly at home. The Nailers rank first in the league on the power-play at home (26.6%) and 26th on the road (11.4%).

Productive at the Blue Line

Wheeling's Steven Shamanski has been able to produce offense from the blue line. With 10 goals, Shamanski ranks third in the league for goals scored among defensemen.

Struggling Against Their Own

The Nailers, who own a record of 15-13-0-0 outside of their division, have struggled against teams from the North. Wheeling is 4-7-0-0 against teams from the own division.

Tickets! Get Your Tickets!!

Tickets for all K-Wings home games are now on sale. Fans can purchase tickets at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office, any Ticketmaster location or at kwings.com.

Get On-Line

This season, the best way to keep track of the K-Wings is to log onto the team's website at www.kwings.com . The site has player profiles, video on your hometown team, and much, much more.

K-Wings on the Net

Catch all the K-Wings games, home and away, on the K-Wings Broadcast Network at www.echl.tv . Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 72 regular season games plus the playoffs. Pregame 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 smart phones, tablets and computers logged onto the K-Wings Broadcast Network.

Upcoming Games

Saturday, January 31st Vs Wheeling 7:30 PM (90's Style Game Show Night presented by Sam's Club)

Wednesday, February 4th @ Cincinnati 7:35 PM

Friday, February 6th Vs Fort Wayne 7:30 PM (USA Olympic Curling Night and 3, 2, 1 Countdown to Fun!, featuring $3 Beer, $2 Pepsi Products and $ 1 Hot Dogs)

Saturday, February 7th @ Fort Wayne 7:30 PM

Sunday, February 8th @ Indy 3:05 PM

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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