IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Countdown to Face-Off

Published on May 5, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


The United Hockey League will commence their Semi-Finals tonight, as the Kalamazoo Wings host the Rockford IceHogs. In the regular season, the K-Wings were 2-2-1 against the IceHogs. This is also the second straight season that the K-Wings and the IceHogs have met in the playoffs. Last year, Kalamazoo lost to Rockford in six games.

After sweeping their first-round series against the Motor City Mechanics last Wednesday, Kalamazoo has been waiting eight days to continue their Destination: Colonial Cup. In round one, the K-Wings' success was derived from a stingy defense that has given up just four goals, while receiving offensive contributions from 14 of the 16 skaters that have played.

While the K-Wings are making their first Semi-Final appearance, the IceHogs are submerged in their second straight Semi-Finals. Rockford made it to the Semi-Finals by defeating the Fort Wayne Komets in five games. The IceHogs have been an offensive juggernaut, averaging 4.60 goals a game in this postseason. Like the K-Wings, the IceHogs enter the game on a six-day hiatus.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings Rockford IceHogs

Goals: Nick Bootland (5 Goals) Greg Barber, Chaz Johnson (4 Goals)

Assists: Briane Thompson (4 Assists) Yannick Tifu (6 Assists)

Points: Nick Bootland, Kory Karlander (7 Points) Yannick Tifu (7 Points)

+/-: Nick Bootland (+8) Greg Barber (+6)

Penalty Minutes: Lucas Drake (19 Minutes) Robin Big Snake (26 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Lucas Drake (2 Goals) Billy Tibbetts (2 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals) Greg Barber (2 Goals)

Game Winning Goals: Lucas Drake, Dustin Virag Greg Barber, Yannick Tifu,

Jason Deitsch, Kory Karlander (1 Goal) Rob Voltera, Chaz Johnson (1 Goal)

Shots: Nick Bootland (20 Shots) Billy Tibbetts (20 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Jason Deitsch (40.0%) Mike Letizia (100.0%)

Goals Against Average: Joel Martin (1.00) Scott Dickie (3.03)

Save Percentage: Joel Martin (0.969) Michel Robinson (0.917)

All-Time/ Season Series All-Time Playoff Series: K-Wings Trail All-Time Playoff Series: 4-5 (record includes Madison 99-00)

Best of Seven Series: Best of Seven Series is Tied: 0-0

Last Meeting: K-Wings Lost 3-1 in on January 27th @ Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Next Meeting: Saturday, May 6th @ Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan (Game Two)

Feels Like the First Time

With their series sweep over Motor City, Kalamazoo has made franchise history. For the first-time ever, the K-Wings have advanced to Semi-Finals of the UHL Colonial Cup Playoffs.

Shutting the Door

After breaking the UHL record for shutouts in a season with nine; goaltender Joel Martin has kept up his stingy ways in the postseason. Martin leads all UHL goaltenders with two shutouts in the playoffs.

Dishing It Out

Defenseman Briane Thompson has been finding the open man in the postseason. Thompson leads all K-Wings players with four assists. The four assists places Thompson tied for third place among all defensemen in helpers.

Killing Time

After killing 83% of their opponent's power-plays in the regular season, the K-Wings have turned it up in the postseason. Kalamazoo leads the UHL playoffs in penalty killing at 95.2%.

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 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.

Drake and Manley on the Radio

Join special guests Lucas Drake and Mike Manley, as they join Head Coach Mark Reeds and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno on "K-Wings Live". The show is on Your Local Sports Leader AM 1660 WQSN Monday's from 6-7 PM at The Cabana 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 (WLKM 95.9 FM and Your Local Sports Leader AM 1660 WQSN). Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 76 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

Saturday, May 6th Vs Rockford 7:30 PM (Colonial Cup Playoffs: Semi-Finals, Game Two)

Sunday, May 7th @ Rockford 5:00 PM (CDT)(Colonial Cup Playoffs: Semi-Finals, Game Three)

Wednesday, May 10th @ Rockford 7:30 PM (CDT)(Colonial Cup Playoffs: Semi-Finals Game Four)

*Friday, May 12th Vs Rockford 7:30 PM (Colonial Cup Playoffs: Semi-Finals, Game Five)

*Sunday, May 14th @ Rockford 5:00 PM (CDT)(Colonial Cup Playoffs: Semi-Finals, Game Six)

*Tuesday, May 16th Vs Rockford 7:00 PM (Colonial Cup Playoffs: Semi-Finals Game Seven)

(* Denotes Games that Will Only Be Played If Necessary)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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



International Hockey League 2 Stories from May 5, 2006


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