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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

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February 27, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI - The best player on the ice doesn't always make the game-deciding play, but justice was served Friday night at Wings Stadium as Justin Cross (5th) buried the go-ahead goal late in the third period, his second of the game, to boost the Kalamazoo Wings over the Muskegon Lumberjacks 4-3.

Muskegon had taken its first lead early in the final frame courtesy of Chad Costello (14th) only to watch Kalamazoo charge back on a Glenn Detulleo deflection at 9:21 to make it 3-3. Cross then stepped out from the left wall and beat goalie Clayton Pool through the legs for the game winner at 15:53.

The comeback victory cut down the Lumberjacks six-game overall wining streak and an eight-game road unbeaten streak, a run that included two wins at the K-Wings' expense. Kalamazoo, a winner at home for the first time in four, now moves to within five points of second-place Muskegon and within seven of the IHL's top team, Port Huron.

With two assists, Lucas Drake ran his point streak to six straight contests, one ahead of Detulleo's current five-game run. Mark Nebus also enjoyed a solid night, picking up primary helpers on both Cross tallies.

Entering the game, the K-Wings were 20-2-0-0 when scoring first, so punching one in early figured to go a long way toward ending their season-high three-game winless streak (0-2-1-0) on Wings Stadium ice. They would do just that, as Nebus threaded a saucer pass from the right circle onto the tape of Cross (4th) for a 1-0 lead at 2:22.

The Lumberjacks, who had nine wins on the season when the opponent jumps on top first, were undeterred and struck for the equalizer 90 seconds later. Billy Collins (15th) one-timed a Costello feed past the blocker hand of Jason Tapp to draw even.

Playing one of their best opening periods in recent memory, the K-Wings continued to push the pace and were rewarded at 8:58, when Rick Cleaver (21st) pounced on a loose puck in the crease. The play was set up by John Glavota's point shot, which caromed off Drake and eluded Pool.

The Lumberjacks possess the most potent power play in the IHL, and they put it to use midway through the second period to knot the game once more. Robin Bouchard (28th) nailed his 11th man-advantage goal in 25 games when he tossed a 30-foot wrister over Tapp's right pad. League-leading scorer Todd Robinson earned the primary assist, giving him 71 helpers on the season.

For Game Stats: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=735272

The K-Wings conclude their three-game home stand tomorrow night, February 28th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Fort Wayne Komets on Air National Guard Night, featuring the ZOOperstars!.

Single-game tickets for any of the K-Wings 38 regular season home games are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics



International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 27, 2009


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