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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Game Recap: Mingo's Two-Goal Night Carries Wings Past Mallards

February 24, 2017 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


MOLINE, IL- Dajon Mingo had his first career two-goal night and Nick Riopel won his sixth contest in his last seven starts, as the Kalamazoo Wings toppled the Quad City Mallards, 4-2, during a divisional tilt on Friday night at iWireless Center.

After a first period that featured balanced chances on both ends, the Wings struck first with under a minute-and-a-half remaining in the period. Cam Darcy forced a steal that freed Tanner Sorenson along the left-wing side. Sorenson carried in to the faceoff dot and found a narrow window over the blocker of Mallards' goalie Adam Vay for his 13th goal of the season.

Less than a minute later, the Wings tacked on their second of the night after catching Quad City flat-footed. Eric Kattelus wired a long shot from the blue line that was deflected in front by Dajon Mingo for his third goal of the season. Mingo's late tally sent the Wings into the first intermission ahead, 2-0.

Early in the second period, the Mallards cut the Wings' lead in half by pressuring the goal and attacking loose pucks. A shot by Adam Gilmour was stopped by Riopel, but the rebound was punched home by Josh MacDonald for his team-leading 21st goal of the season.

As Quad City outshot Kalamazoo and looked to equalize, the Wings pushed their lead back to two with less than four minutes to play in the frame. Brian Hart carried the puck off the wall and snapped it in front to Mingo, who deposited his second of the night with a far-side wrist shot that beat Vay's blocker.

Midway through the third period and trailing by a pair of goals, Quad City pulled back to within a goal on their fifth power play try of the game. A rink wide feed from Michael Parks landed on the stick of Chris Francis, who blasted a one-timer into the top corner of the goal.

Withstanding the ensuing pressure from the Mallards, the Wings sealed the victory in the closing two minutes of the contest after Tyler Biggs capitalized after a Quad City turnover in their own end. After stealing the puck, Biggs carried towards the goal and slipped the puck through the pads of Vay, capping a 4-2 victory.

Next: Kalamazoo vs. Quad City Mallards- Saturday, February 25, 7:00 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: Sorenson broke an eleven-game goal drought... It was Mingo's first career multi-goal game...Kalamazoo snapped a three-game losing streak... The Wings are one point out of the fourth and final playoff position in the Central Division... Riopel has won six of his last seven starts... Kalamazoo's power play went 0/3 and the penalty kill went 4/5.

Stats: http://www.echl.com/game-summary?game_id14514

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 February 24, 2017


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