Game Recap: Josh Pitt's Second Straight Four-Point Night Lifts Wings
Published on March 25, 2017 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release
KALAMAZOO, MI- Josh Pitt earned his second straight four point night (one goal, three assists), and the Kalamazoo Wings finished off a weekend sweep of the Norfolk Admirals by a 5-3 margin on Saturday night at Wings Event Center.
Similar to last night's contest, the Admirals generated the night's first tally and sprung out to a first-period edge. Defenseman Frankie Simonelli joined the rush and carried the puck into the Wings zone, before uncorking a laser beam that picked the top corner of the goal over Joel Martin's blocker. The goal was Simonelli's 15th of the season.
Just over two minutes later and on an extended five-on-three power play, Kalamazoo bounced right back and equalized the game at one. Cam Darcy whipped a backdoor feed to Peter Schneider, who tapped the puck over the line for his 16th marker of the campaign. The goal moved Schneider's point streak to nine games, setting a new season high for a Kalamazoo skater.
With under a minute to go in the period, Norfolk re-gained the lead after capitalizing on a net-front scramble at Martin's crease. After a series of chances from Norfolk were stopped by Martin, a loose puck went unchecked, and Kyle Dutra ran it down to cash in and give the visitors a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.
Early in the second period, Kalamazoo struck back with some nifty passing in the offensive zone. Pitt held the puck behind the goal and was able to create some space and dish in front for Justin Taylor for a one-timer that soared past Phillipe Desrosiers for his team-leading 30th goal of the year.
The Wings continued their dominance in the second period and took their first lead of the night with another tally courtesy of Taylor. While on the power play, Taylor patiently waited with the puck in the right-wing corner, and went to center the puck, but it ricocheted off the back of Desrosiers and leaked over the line.
Late in the third period during a one-goal game, the Wings added some insurance after another slick passing play from behind the goal. Pitt set up Tanner Sorenson, who one-touched the feed over the extended leg of the Admirals' netminder and gave Kalamazoo a 4-2 cushion.
Norfolk battled back and struck for a tally with under two minutes remaining, as Trevor Gerling gobbled up a loose puck in the slot and flung it into the net, giving the Admirals a spark in the closing minutes and cutting their deficit to a goal.
With Desrosiers on the bench for an extra attacker, the Wings withstood the pressure from the Admirals, and Pitt sealed the game with an empty net tally from just inside center ice.
Next: Kalamazoo @ Florida Everblades- Wednesday, March 29, 7:30 p.m., Germain Arena.
Broadcast information: Wednesday's game will air on AM 1660 the Fan in Kalamazoo or online at www.1660thefan.com/listen-live.
Notes: Schneider has points in nine straight games... Pitt has eight points in his last two games and 10 points in his last four outings... Martin has won three straight decisions... Kalamazoo have won four straight games...Kalamazoo ended the season with a 4-0-0 record against Norfolk...The Wings are 11-3-0 in their last 14 games... Kalamazoo moved to within two points of Quad City for the third seed in the Central Division playoff picture.
Stats: http://www.echl.com/game-summary?game_id14684
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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