IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Isn't that special

Published on March 20, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Bloomington, IL - Scoring once on the power-play and twice shorthanded, the fourth-place, Kalamazoo Wings increased their lead for the final playoff spot in the International Hockey League with a 4-3 victory over the fifth-place, Bloomington PrairieThunder.

Special teams paved the way for the K-Wings in the opening 20 minutes of action leading to both of the team's goals. While attempting to kill of a penalty, Rick Cleaver intercepted a Bloomington pass in the neutral zone, which led to an odd-man rush and a Cleaver shorthanded goal. Cleaver's tally at 9:39 was his IHL rookie-leading 51st point and 24th goal of the season.

Making the most of their lone power-play chance of the period three minutes later, Casey Handrahan gave a perfect outlet pass to Tommy Lange (21st), who proceeded down ice skating around three Thunder players like they were pylons. Lange finished off the play using a deke to freeze goaltender Jason Wolfe and scored five-hole. Lange's goal extends his point streak to a K-Wings' current-high six games.

Jan Jas (21st) brought Bloomington back to within a single goal, scoring on a rebound 4:34 into the second period.

While Jan's goal gave the Thunder momentum, it would be short lived. Kalamazoo recorded their second shorthanded goal on the night midway in the frame, when Martin Ondrej fed Lucas Drake, who finished off the two-on-one scoring his team-leading 26th of the season. The lamp-lighter was also Drake's team-leading third shorthanded goal.

Growing their lead in the third period, Justin Cross (8th) gave the K-Wings their largest lead of the night at 4-1 scoring on a breakaway 2:18 into the final period.

The K-Wings didn't know it then, but they would need every bit of that three-goal cushion, as Bloomington answered late with goals from Matt Frick (3rd) and Nick Goyens (4th), but it wouldn't be enough as Kalamazoo hung on for the one goal victory.

For Game Stats: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=735891

The K-Wings will commence a three-game home stand this Saturday, March 21st with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Flint Generals during the K-Wings-Red Wings Alumni Game, presented by WOTV and COOL 101 FM.

The alumni game, which will feature two twenty-minute halves with running clock and a twenty-minute intermission, will be the first game of a hockey double header at Wings Stadium. Fans can see the alumni game for FREE, with the purchase of tickets to the K-Wings-Generals contest.

Following the contest, the K-Wings will auction off their special St. Patrick's Day jerseys.

Single-game tickets for any of the K-Wings 38 regular season home games are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

For more information about tonight's game, please contact Director of Public Relations/Broadcaster Mike Modugno at (269) 349-9772 extension 220.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 20, 2009


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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