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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Game Recap: Balanced Attack Helps Wings Dominate Komets

January 21, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


KALAMAZOO, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings got six goals from six different players and doubled up the Fort Wayne Komets, 6-3, on Saturday night at Wings Event Center.

Four minutes into a heavy-hitting first period, Kalamazoo were on the receiving end of a hometown bounce off the glass behind the goal. Eric Kattelus rimmed the puck around the goal and it ricocheted off the stanchion and onto the tape of Justin Taylor who lifted a corner-seeking backhander over the glove of Garret Bartus.

Kalamazoo opened their lead to a pair while operating on their second power play of the game. Josh Pitt set up along the right-wing wall and fed a pass to Blake Kessel, who powered a one-timer towards the goal. The puck went off the chest of Bartus, arced over his head, and rolled into the net for Kessel's first goal as a Kalamazoo Wing.

In the waning minutes of the first, Fort Wayne got on the scoresheet for the first time of the night. Kyle Thomas used his tremendous speed to slice through the Kalamazoo defense and slide the puck through the legs of Wings' netminder Nick Riopel. It was Thomas's ninth point in six games against Kalamazoo this season.

Maintaining their momentum into the second period, Gabriel Desjardins pulled the Komets even with his ninth goal of the year. Carrying along the right wing, Desjardins waltzed towards the Wings goal and muscled a wrist shot over the leg of Riopel.

With under a minute and a half to play in the second, Kalamazoo re-gained their one-goal lead after a remarkable individual effort from Pitt. Kattelus wired a wrist shot that rang off the post and onto the stick of Pitt, who fed a try to the goal that as denied by Bartus on a highlight-reel save. Pitt followed the play and calmly lifted a backhand over the outstretched Komets netminder, putting the Wings ahead, 3-2.

With five seconds remaining in the period and the Wings shorthanded, the Komets tied the game for the second time on the night. With the puck falling onto the top of the goal, it was knifed into the air by Mason Baptista, and inadvertently knocked into the goal by Taylor, sending the game into the third period in a stalemate.

The Wings dominated the third period after enduring an initial attack from the Komets. While on a power play, Kessel dished the puck to the high slot for Tanner Sorenson, who lifted his head and fired a corner-picking wrist shot that beat the glove of Bartus.

Nine minutes later and on their eighth power play of the game, Kalamazoo jockeyed to their second two-goal lead of the game. Kyle Bushee held the line on an attempted Fort Wayne clearance, and walked to the middle where he unleashed a slap shot that curled through the bodies in front of the net and angled into the goal.

Kalamazoo sealed the victory with under two minutes to play, as Lane Scheidl chipped in an empty-net tally and capped off the six-goal night for the Wings.

Next: Kalamazoo vs. Toledo Walleye- Sunday, January 22, 3:00 p.m., Wings Event Center.

Broadcast information: Saturday's game will air on AM 1660 The Fan in Kalamazoo or online at www.1660thefan.com/listen-live.

Notes: Kalamazoo's six goals were the most they've scored in a game this season... Scheidl is now on a five-game point streak, marking the longest point streak of a Wings skater this season... Kalamazoo went 3/8 on the power play after entering the game 1/29 on the power play against Fort Wayne this season...Sorenson is tied for the league lead with six game winning goals... Riopel made his first appearance since December 16.

Stats: http://www.echl.com/game-summary?game_id14325

Single-game tickets are on sale! Tickets start as low as $10 and can be purchased at www.kwings.com/tickets/schedule or at the Wings Event Center box office.

Wings Event Center, owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, is home to the minor league hockey team Kalamazoo Wings and a full entertainment venue offering concerts, sporting events, family shows and trade shows. Built in 1974, Wings Event Center values partnerships with the community to bring events and attractions that enrich the lives of residents in the Kalamazoo area.

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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.

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