IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

End of the line

Published on February 15, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI - In a season that has featured more than its share of late-game drama, the most thrilling moment couldn't occur in a loss, could it?

That's just what happened at Wings Stadium Sunday afternoon, as Rick Cleaver's (18th) show-stopping tying goal with one-tenth of a second remaining was topped by Mathieu Curadeau's (20th) game-winner at 3:33 of overtime, boosting the Fort Wayne Komets to a 5-4 road victory.

The loss was the Kalamazoo Wings' first in 12 games that have gone beyond regulation. They had been the only team left in professional hockey still undefeated in overtime and the shootout. The Komets are now 3-10 when forced to play extra hockey.

Curadeau's sudden-death tally was his second of the game and occurred at the end of long shift for the Kalamazoo Wings. Curadeau scooped up a loose puck at center ice, carried the mail directly to the goal and deked goalie Jason Tapp before dumping it in on the short side.

Cleaver, who had two goals and an assist to his credit, moved into the lead by himself on the IHL rookie goal-scoring list with 18. Mark Nebus added a goal and a helper for Kalamazoo.

The K-Wings trailed 4-2 with under four minutes left when Lucas Drake (20th) stuffed a Justin Cross goalmouth feed into the net to make things interesting. Cleaver then pounded the rebound of a Drake shot past Fort Wayne goaltender Sebastien Laplante to send the crowd into bedlam and the Komets into disbelief.

The Kalamazoo faithful had just settled into their seats when Fort Wayne dented the scoreboard first. Sean O'Conner (13th) provided the buzzkill threw a wrist shot from the left side over Tapp's left pad for a 1-0 lead at 22 seconds of the first. Rick Varone earned the lone assist on the play.

Leading by one, the Komets would trail by one just over three minutes later. Goals 1:18 apart by Nebus (24th) and Cleaver (17th) tilted the ice in favor of the K-Wings. Tommy Lange set up the Nebus marker with a smooth dish from behind the net, then Anthony Battaglia froze the Komets with a fake slapshot before assisting on Cleaver's five-on-three tally.

Fort Wayne was able to push right back, however. Maxime Gravelle (4th) poked in his own rebound from in front of the goal to forge a 2-2 tie at first intermission.

The Komets, who enjoyed a rare Saturday off prior to traveling to Kalamazoo, looked to be the fresher team in the middle frame. The third-ranked power play in the IHL struck for the tiebreaking goal at 7:28 when Rick Varone (15th) tipped in a Jay Holladay blast.

The K-Wings hoped to escape the period down only one, but the Komets had other ideas and doubled their lead in the closing minutes of the frame. A sharp neutral-zone feed from David Hukalo sent Konstantin Shafranov and Curadeau on a two-on-one rush which was neatly finished by Curadeau (19th) for a 4-2 score through 40 minutes.

For Game Stats: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=735253

The K-Wings will conclude their three-game home stand this Friday, February 20th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Muskegon Lumberjacks on U.S. Army Night, presented by WRKR.

This Friday is also the second K-Wings Frugal Friday. During every Friday home game in February, Wings Stadium will offer $1 hot dogs and beer.

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

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 15, 2009


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