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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Defenseman A.J. Thelen Records Three Points for Kalamazoo in a 5-3 Victory

November 5, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- Needing a strong third period, the Kalamazoo Wings flew away from the Toledo Walleye with a 5-3 victory on Direct Air Beach Air Night, featuring the Hooters' Girls.

Coming out firing, it took just over three minutes for the K-Wings to get on the board. On an odd-man rush, a laser of a wrist shot by Brian McGuirk (1st) from the right circle beat goaltender Scott Campbell glove side.

It took just 1:28 for the Walleye to strike back, when Portage native Evan Rankin (1st) tallied his first of the night when he pounded home a loose puck sitting right in front of Ryan Nie.

While shorthanded, Brandon Svendsen stole the puck in the neutral zone and was dragged down before he had an attempt on goal. A penalty shot resulted from the play; however, Svendsen was unable to convert.

At the 11:11 mark, Rankin (2nd) struck gold again, when he scored his second goal in similar fashion of his first.

Five minutes into the second period, Steven Tarasuk (1st) tied the game at two apiece, when he scored on Campbell with the help of Kory Karlander and Jordan Fulton getting the assists. The assist upped Karlander's point streak to eight games.

Making a living in front of Nie all game, Rankin netted another, which capped off his hat trick in his hometown, and gave his team a one goal lead. The tally was his team-leading third of the season.

While the Walleye's power-play struggled, the K-Wings power-play united started to heat up. Brandon Svendsen (6th) pulled the K-Wings even by netting his team-leading sixth goal of the season. The goal also increased Svendsen's goal streak to four games.

In the third period, Trent Daavettila (5th) broke the stalemate deflecting a Sam Ftorek wrister for the eventual game-winner.

Kalamazoo concluded the scoring while enjoying a four-on-three power play. Svendsen slid the puck from the left point to a waiting AJ Thelen (2nd) who blasted a one-timer right between the legs of the goalie, Campbell.

Nie improved his record to 5-1-0-1 on the season stopping 31 shots, including denying all 12 shots he faced in the third period.

Kalamazoo and Toledo will finish off their home-and-home series tomorrow, Saturday, November 6th with a 7 p.m. encounter at the Huntington Center.

The K-Wings will return to Wings Stadium on Friday, November 12th with a 7:30 p.m. against the Gwinnett Gladiators on Military Appreciation Night. All military and veterans will receive a FREE popcorn with valid ID. Friday is also a Frugal Fan Friday, featuring $1 beers and $1 hot dogs.

Single game tickets for the 2010-2011 season are on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office, Ticketmaster Outlets, including www.ticketmaster.com, Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, please call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

Tickets for all K-Wings home games are on sale now and range in price from $9.90-$14.90 for adults and only $6.90 for kids ages 12 and under. The ticket prices for all K-Wings premium night games (all colored ice games and New Year's Eve game) are just $1 more.

Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single game tickets advance because on the day of a game, K-Wings tickets are $1 more.

For more information about tonight's game, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.

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