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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Grizzlies Roar Past K-Wings

March 7, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


KALAMAZOO, MI - Despite jumping out to an early lead, the Kalamazoo Wings couldn't muster enough offense and fell to the Utah Grizzlies, 6-3, on Monday night at Wings Event Center.

Taking advantage of extended playing time, Justin Kovacs opened the scoring on the night. Coming off the bench as the late man, Kovacs walked into the slot undetected and slid a soft wrister through the pads of Mark Owuya.

Just 25 seconds later, the Grizzlies evened the game up at 1-1. Alex Krushelnyski set up at the top of Joel Martin's crease, and found a rebound chance to net his 23rd of the season.

Kalamazoo rebounded at the 7:09 mark of the first period to regain their one-goal lead. Adam Phillips showcased excellent stick handling and deked around the Utah defender, giving him a short breakaway chance, where he popped a wrist shot over the pads of Owuya.

Not willing to go away easily, the Grizzlies made it 2-2 early in the second frame. As a carry-over penalty to Evan McEneny expired, Eric Knodel tapped a loose puck to the tape of T.J. Snyer, who was alone in the slot, and fired one to the far side, over the pad of Martin.

Earning their first lead of the night, Utah knocked home their second unanswered goal at 6:39 of the middle period. Cody Ferriero executed a drop-pass at the blue line to the stick of Marc Cantin, who snapped the puck past Martin, who was screened on the play.

The Grizzlies pushed their lead to 4-2 in the early moments of the third period after taking advantage of a Kalamazoo turnover. Martin came out of his net and played a puck to his defender, who had his pocket picked and the puck was deposited into the open net by Ryan Hayes for his fourth of the season.

Making use of their third power play of the night, Utah made it a 5-2 game, midway through the final frame. Snyer saucered a pass from the blue line down low to Barry Almeida, who skated to the front of Martin's crease, uncontested, and lifted the puck over the sprawled out Wings' goaltender. The goal spelled the end of the night for Martin, who finished with 23 saves on 28 shots.

Responding to the goalie change, the Wings reduced their deficit to just two, minutes later. Lane Scheidl motored his way into the zone with Justin Taylor skating down the far side boards. Scheidl fed a perfect pass to the tape of Taylor, who roofed the backhander over Owuya.

Not letting the Wings gain any momentum, Utah finished the scoring and pushed their lead to 6-3 in the late stages of the third. Hayes utilized his speed to create a two-on-one with Erik Higby, who skated in on Clay Witt and netted his 12th of the season.

Next: Kalamazoo vs. Utah- Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m., Wings Event Center.

Notes: Scheidl has points in his last four games. The loss snaps a streak of seven straight wins for Martin. The loss also breaks the Wings four-game winning streak. Witt finished the night with 3 saves on the 4 shots he faced

Stats: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=13440

The Wings continue their three-game set with the Utah Grizzlies tomorrow at Wings Event Center, as part of Service Industry Night. Fans can enjoy $2 beers and $1 hot dogs.

Listen to all 72 regular season and post season games on AM 1660 The Fan in Kalamazoo, or online at www.1660thefan.com/listen-live. Live coverage begins fifteen minutes before puck drop with the Flame Tamer Pregame Show.

Single-game tickets are now on sale! Tickets can be purchased at kwings.com or at the Wings Event Center box office. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. A $2 discount is applied on all tickets purchased before the date of the game. Any student that shows a valid ID can get tickets for just $10.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 7, 2016


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