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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Jacks come up Aces

February 20, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI - It was a good night for the power play, but not much else went right for the home team Friday night as the Kalamazoo Wings were doubled up by the second-place Muskegon Lumberjacks 4-2 at Wings Stadium.

Lucas Drake and Glenn Detulleo chalked two points each for the K-Wings, who fell into fourth place in the IHL after Fort Wayne's win over Flint. Luke Stauffacher led the way for the victors, adding a pair of helpers to his season total.

Kalamazoo went 2-for-5 on the man advantage, the first time it scored multiple power-play goals since a 4-3 shootout win at Fort Wayne Dec. 29. It was only the K-Wings' second regulation loss in the last eight games; they are now 5-2-1 during that stretch.

The K-Wings outshot the Lumberjacks 15-7 in the first period and possessed the puck for long periods of time, but the visitors had the lead after 20 minutes of play.

John DiPace (25th), newly acquired in a trade with the Flint Generals, got the 'Jacks going at 6:40 by sneaking his own rebound past the outstretched pad of Jason Tapp.

Anthony Battaglia extended his point streak to five games to tie the game about two minutes later. With Kalamazoo on the power play, Detulleo, with his back to the slot, tossed a soft backhand pass to Battaglia, who maneuvered around goalie Clayton Pool and banked a shot off him and in for his 15th of the season.

Chad Costello (11th) would answer back at 14:57, taking a feed from Stauffacher on right wing and depositing a backhand stuff just barely over the goal line for a 2-1 score.

Kalamazoo threw 15 more shots on goal in the second period and increased their physical play, but all they had to show for it at the second intermission was a two-goal deficit.

Muskegon's Jon Grabarek, playing in his fifth game for the 'Jacks, cashed in his first professional goal at 3:17 to double the lead. Grabarek's initial shot from the inner edge of the right circle trickled through Tapp's equipment, and the rookie followed up and slammed it in with minimal interference.

The K-Wings power play kept them in the contest, as Lucas Drake flipped in his 21st of the year from right in front of the goal after his first two attempts were denied by Pool. Detulleo, working from behind the Muskegon cage, earned the primary assist on the play.

Much like the first period, though, the 'Jacks poked in another tally to grab the energy away from the K-Wings. This time it was Robin Bouchard tapping in his 22nd in 21 games played from point-blank range. A blistering Dan Boeser slapper from the blue line set up the goal.

There were no goals to be had in the third, although a major skirmish stirred things up early in the frame. Jason Robinson leveled DiPace with a clean shoulder check as the Muskegon forward skated over his own blue line, leading to a couple of DiPace's teammates to take umbrage. Bouchard attempted to jump Robinson in front of the Muskegon bench, but Robinson was ready and popped the 'Jacks sniper in the mouth with a gloved right hand.

Kalamazoo's Mark Nebus then engaged DiPace in a minor tussle that included several punches thrown before the linesman stepped between the two combatants. The K-Wings' Tommy Lange also traded punches with Darryl McArthur.

The K-Wings pulled goaltender Tapp with just over two minutes remaining, but only a Rod Aldoff wrister from long range came close to cutting the lead in half. Pool stopped that one with his mask, drawing a gasp from the Frugal Friday crowd of 3,802.

For Game Stats: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=735257

Kalamazoo will continue rivalry-week tomorrow night on the road with a 7:30 p.m. battle against the Fort Wayne Komets at Allen County Memorial Coliseum.

The K-Wings will return home to Wings Stadium to commence a three-game home stand this Wednesday, February 25th with a special 10:30 a.m. face-off versus the Port Huron Icehawks during Kalamazoo's first Education Day Game of the season.

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.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 20, 2009


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