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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Early deficit too much for Kalamazoo

March 13, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI - One of hockey's most frequently repeated proverbs is that the first and last minutes of a period are especially important.

The Kalamazoo Wings and the Bloomington PrairieThunder did their best to validate that saying Friday night at Wings Stadium, as the ‘Thunder outscored the K-Wings 3-1 during those crucial opening and closing moments on their way to a 4-3 triumph.

Bloomington netted goals in the final minutes of the first and second periods, then former K-Wing Jan Jas (19th) scored the eventual game-winner 23 seconds into the final frame. Third period goals by Rick Cleaver (23rd at 3:16) and Tommy Lange (19th at 19:32) drew Kalamazoo within one, but the visitors prevailed to move within 14 points of the fourth-place home side.

The K-Wings outgunned the ‘Thunder 35 shots to 21 in the final two periods, but couldn't manage to get even on the scoreboard after falling behind by two early. Bloomington's rangy goaltender Jason Wolfe stopped 37 of 40 shots for the victory, his eighth of the season and second over Kalamazoo at Wings Stadium.

Bloomington initiated the scoring with a fluky goal at 11:52 of the first. Corey Rutt (6th) scooped up the puck at center ice and blasted a 50-foot slapshot from above the left circle that Kalamazoo goalie Joel Martin casually punched away. Unfortunately it bounced off a K-Wings defenseman and into the vacated net for one of the oddest goals of the season.

The PrairieThunder made it 2-0 with another goal that seemingly came out of nowhere. With the K-Wings on a power play and under 30 seconds to play in the period, Nick Goyens intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and floated the puck ahead to Bill Bagron. Crossing the Kalamazoo blue line, Bagron (11th) decided to fire a wrist shot that struck the inside of the right post and caromed behind Martin for Bloomington's eighth shorthanded goal on the year.

After accruing only five shots in the opening frame, the K-Wings came out of the locker room for the second determined to put more rubber on goal. They did just that, ringing up 18 shots in the middle period, and not surprisingly they got their first puck behind Wolfe as a result.

Dominic Osman, skating for the first time as a K-Wing after Thursday's trade from Fort Wayne, earned his 19th goal of the season at 13:29 to break the ice. Keeping with the early theme, he got the puck behind Wolfe in an unconventional way when Lucas Drake's one-timer from the low slot deflected off his shin and into the goal. The second assist went to Glenn Detulleo.

But just as they did in the first, the ‘Thunder got a goal in the final minute to head into the intermission on their terms. This time it was defenseman Goyens, with Bloomington enjoying its first power play of the contest, spinning a wrister through a screen for a 3-1 lead at 19:32.

For Game Stats: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=735843

Kalamazoo will finish the week with a 7:30 p.m. road game tomorrow, Saturday, March 14th against the Fort Wayne Komets.

The K-Wings will return to Wings Stadium this Tuesday, March 17th with a 7:00 p.m. face-off versus the Muskegon Lumberjacks during the 28th Annual "World Famous" Fifth-Third Bank Green Ice Game, presented by The CW 7 and WRKR.

Chicago Blackhawks featured soloist James Cornelison will sing the Canadian and American National Anthems and the Kalamazoo Pipe Band will play in the concourse before the game, as well as during the first period intermission.

Following the contest, the K-Wings will auction off their special St. Patrick's Day jerseys.

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.

For more information about tonight's game, please contact Director of Public Relations/Broadcaster Mike Modugno at (269) 349-9772 extension 220.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 13, 2009


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