IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Countdown to Face-Off

Published on November 24, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Last year at this time, the Kalamazoo Wings already played the Fort Wayne Komets a total of four times. That's why it's hard to believe that tonight's game is only the first regular season encounter between the two teams. It's usually an intense game when the arch-rivals face-off against each other, but tonight's game could have extra meaning for two players, as Kalamazoo's Kevin Kotyluk and Fort Wayne's David Hukalo will have their first opportunity to face their former teams since being traded last week.

For the K-Wings they will be looking to extend a two-game winning streak. The two-game streak ties the K-Wings longest winning streak of the year. Tonight also marks the last time the K-Wings will skate at home for awhile. After the game, the K-Wings will commence on a six-game road swing. Kalamazoo have bolstered their lineup with the addition of two players. For the first time this season, Greg Labenski will wear a K-Wings jersey. Labenski, who played for Kalamazoo last year, started the season with the Cleveland Barons (AHL). Also, in the lineup tonight will be Ryan Barnes, who has spent the past week and a half in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

The Komets enter Wings Stadium looking to play leap frog in the Western Division. With 17 points, Fort Wayne is in fourth place in their division and they are just two points out of second place. Fort Wayne is led by Colin Chaulk, who leads the team in scoring with 20 points. The 20 points places Chaulk 7th in the UHL among all scorers. Like Kalamazoo, Fort Wayne enters the game on a two-game winning streak.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings
Goals Andrew Luciuk (6Goals)
Assists Yannick Carpentier, Daniel Carriere (9 Assists)
Points Yannick Carpentier, Daniel Carriere, Andrew Luciuk (12 Points)
+/- Daniel Carriere (+10)
Penalty Minutes Tyler Willis (72 Minutes)
Power Play Goals David Struch (3 Goal)
Short Handed Goals Tim Turner, Shawn Fisher (1 Goal)
Game Winning Goals Tim Turner, Andrew Luciuk (2 GW)
Shots: Andrew Luciuk (50 Shots)
Shooting Percentage: Zarley Zalapski (22.2%)
Shootout Goals: Andrew Luciuk, Tim Turner (1 Goal)
Shootout Percentage: Andrew Luciuk, Tim Turner (100 %)
Goals Against Average: Chad Alban (2.01)
Save Percentage: Chad Alban (.925)

All-Time/ Season Series
All-Time Series: K-Wings Trail All-Time Series: 14-21-8
Season Series: First Meeting of the Season
Last Meeting: K-Wings Lost 4-1 on March 27, 2004 @ Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Next Meeting: Sunday, January 2, 2005 @ Allan County Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana

The Big Labenski Returns
Yesterday the K-Wings signed veteran defenseman Greg Labenski. Labenski played with Kalamazoo last season and began this season in the AHL with the Cleveland Barons.

Another AHL'er Returns
Also returning to the K-Wings lineup is Ryan Barnes. Barnes has spent the past week and a half in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Earning the Letters
Earlier this week, K-Wings Head Coach Mark Reeds announced the captains for this year's team. The K-Wings captain will be Chad Allan, while both Andrew Luciuk and Daniel Carriere were honored as the team's assistant captains.

The Holiday Road
After the K-Wings host the Fort Wayne Komets tonight, Kalamazoo will hit the road for a six-game road swing. The 6-game stretch matches the K-Wings longest road swing of the year.

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

Get on Line
This season the best 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.

Allan and Kotyluk on the Radio
Join special guests Chad Allan and Kevin Kotyluk as they join Head Coach Mark Reeds and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno on "K-Wings Live". The show is on The Sports Station 1600 AM WQSN Monday's from 6-7 PM at Sports Forum on Mosel.

K-Wings on Radio
Catch all the K-Wings games home and away on the K-Wings Radio Network (WLKM 95.9 FM and The Sports Station 1660 AM WQSN). Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 80 regular season games plus the playoffs. Pre game coverage begins with the Digital Highway 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
Thursday, November 25th @ Kansas City 8:30 PM (CST)
Friday, November 26th @ Kansas City 7:30 PM (CST)
Saturday, December 1st @ Danbury 7:30 PM

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 24, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central