ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Game Recap: K-Wings Handed 8-1 Loss in Wheeling

Published on October 29, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


WHEELING, WV- In their first trip to WesBanco arena on the season, the Kalamazoo Wings converted on an early power play try, but were silenced for the rest of the game, as the Wheeling Nailers dealt an 8-1 loss to the Wings on Saturday.

Establishing an early theme of special teams dominance, Wheeling jumped out to an early lead while operating on their first power play try of the game. Josh Shalla dished to the left-wing side, where Derek Army fired a wrist shot through a screen that snuck under the pad of Kalamazoo goalie Nick Riopel.

Three minutes later and on a power play of their own, Charlie Vasaturo's seeing-eye snap shot eluded the glove of Wheeling's Doug Carr and tied the game at one. The chance came as Tyler Biggs moved into the middle of the ice with the puck and found a wide-open Vasaturo at the top of the left circle for an uncontested shot.

Re-establishing their first-period lead, Wheeling turned up their aggressiveness on the penalty kill and sprung a breakaway on Riopel. As Kenton Miller carried in, he opted to fire a twenty-foot shot that went under the pads of the Kalamazoo goaltender.

Carrying their red-hot special teams into the second period, Wheeling raced out to a 3-1 lead at the 5:57 mark, as Josh Shalla's left-point shot sailed through a series of screens and into the top corner of the goal.

The efficiency of the Nailers power play couldn't be slowed as the second period continued. On their third man-up try of the game, Garrett Meurs blasted a one-timer from the top of the left circle that propelled Wheeling to a 4-1 lead after two frames.

Kalamazoo were unable to slow down the Wheeling attack, as the third period was dominated by the Nailers from start to finish. Shalla capped off a hat trick with goals at the 4:10 and 13:07 mark of the final stanza, while Army pocketed his second of the game at 15:39. Kevin Schulze finished the scoring with his first of the season at 16:39.

The four-goal third period helped the Nailers coast to an 8-1 win over Kalamazoo.

Next: Kalamazoo vs. Allen Americans- Sunday, October 30, 3:00 p.m., Wings Event Center

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

Notes: Riopel made his 100th career ECHL appearance. Kalamazoo's power play went 1/5 and the penalty kill went 2/5. Kalamazoo allowed their first shorthanded goal of the season. Tyler Shattock led Kalamazoo with five shots on goal. Kalamazoo allowed the most goals in a single game since April 12, 2015 at Toledo.

Stats: http://www.echl.com/game-summary?game_id13880

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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ECHL Stories from October 29, 2016


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