Sports stats

Jr. K-Wings Weekly

January 15, 2013 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings News Release


Game Recap-

Wednesday, January 9th. 3-2 SO/Win

Port Huron, MI - The first two times these rivals met this season, Port Huron was victorious each time by a combined score of 9-2. Since then, the tables have been completely turned, as Kalamazoo's 3-2 victory on Wednesday night was their fourth win in a row over Port Huron, including their second consecutive shootout win.

In their sixth meeting of the season between these two squads, the Jr. K-Wings would be the first team to strike. Brennan Sanford was able to corral the rebound of a Nick Kovalchik shot to score his 3rd goal of the season and give the Jr. K-Wings a 1-0 lead.

Going into the first intermission, Port Huron committed a penalty. They would have to spend the first 1:43 of the second period shorthanded. However, after being able to kill that off, Port Huron went on the attack and just 14 seconds into being at full strength, they tied the game. Nick Horne (7th) was able to tip the puck in.

The game would remain tied until the 12:38 mark in the second period when Taylor Burden gave the Jr. K-Wings the 2-1 lead. The goal started with Burden finding Robbie Payne streaking down the ice. As Burden's defender went to defend Payne, Payne gave Burden the puck back right in front of the Falcon goal, and Burden was able to capitalize for his 11th goal of the year.

At the 11:46 mark in the third, the game would be tied again. Brandon Lukezic (1st) fired a shot from the point that Kalamazoo goaltenderAlex Okicki was unable to stop. This would prove to be the final points of regulation, as this game would head to overtime.

Overtime did not yield a winner, so a shootout was needed. In the shootout, the Jr. K-Wings were able to prevail in 6 rounds. Burden andMac McDonnell were able to score for the Jr. K-Wings.

Kalamazoo was able to get two points after being swept by first place Soo this past weekend, while Port Huron is now on a seven game losing streak.

Official game stats can be found at http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=1993754

Saturday, January 12th @ Michigan Warriors. 2-1 Win.

Flint, MI - Saturday night's contest between the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings and the Michigan Warriors saw great goaltending by both sides. Kalamazoo's Marcus Due-Boje stopped 30 of the 31 shots that he faced, while Michigan's Trevor Gorsuch was able to save 35 of 37 shots. Gorsuch's effort, however, was not enough, as Kalamazoo was able to leave Flint with a win.

The Warriors were able to take advantage of the power play at the 11:48 mark in the first period. Jake Faiella (3rd) was able to put a long wrist shot from the point into the back of the net less than a minute into the man advantage.

Michigan's lead would not last long, as Kalamazoo quickly responded with a goal of their own. Trevor Boyd (7th) capitalized on the defender splitting pass from Mac McDonnell to even the game. Boyd received the puck right in front of the Michigan net, and had little trouble scoring.

The Jr. K-Wings were not able to get a shot off until the 9:39 mark of the third, but they made that shot count. Luc Boby (14th) put was able to score off a shot from the right circle, giving the Jr. K-Wings a 2-1 lead over the Warriors.

Boby's goal would prove to be the final, game-winning goal, as the third period saw no scoring by either side. Kalamazoo and Michigan have met four times this season; Kalamazoo has been victorious in all four meetings.

Official game stats can be found at http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=1993772

Sunday, January 13th Vs. Michigan Warriors. 5-1 Win.

Kalamazoo, MI - If you want to win hockey games, fantastic goaltending and an effective power play are a good place to start. The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings excelled in both of those facets of the game on Sunday afternoon . The team scored two power play games andAlex Okicki recorded 36 saves as Kalamazoo defeated the Michigan Warriors by the score of 5-1.

The first fourteen minutes of this game saw no goals and no penalties, but at the 14:46 mark, the goose eggs came off of the board. Kalamazoo's Matt Wurst fired a shot from the point that Davis Dekorte (4th) was able to tip into the back of the net.

At 18:36, the Jr. K-Wings have been able to extend their lead after a rocket shot from the point by Brendan Vetter (3rd) that hit the crossbar and deflected into the goal. This goal gave the Jr. K-Wings the 2-0 lead over the Warriors as the teams headed to the locker room for the first intermission.

In the second period, Kalamazoo was twice able to take advantage of power play opportunities. First, just 3:47 into the second period,Brett Beauvias (3rd) was able to score on the rebound of a Kyle Gattelaro shot. The second assist on the goal was credited to Kalamazoo's leading scorer, Robbie Payne.

Payne and Gattelaro were not done collecting assists, as that combination would get back together for the second Jr. K-Wings power play goal of the period. This time, Taylor Burden (13th) scored the goal that would give the Jr. K-Wings the 4-0 advantage over the Warriors.

Michigan, however, relentlessly fought to get back in this game. Less than a minute after Kalamazoo took the 4-0 lead, Brock Labelle(7th) cut the lead back down to three.

The Jr. K-Wings closed the game with a goal from their new member Lucas Kohls (1st). Kohls' goal came with just eight seconds to go and cemented the 5-1 victory for the Jr. K-Wings.

Kalamazoo has now won all five meetings with Michigan this season. These two teams will meet again on February 8th in Flint, MI.

Official game stats can be found at http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=1993779

Looking Ahead

The Jr. K-Wings will skate twice this weekend, with both contests being held at the Borgess Health Rink inside Wings West. Kalamazoo will play the Jamestown Ironmen, who currently hold the second spot in a very competitive North Division. The Ironmen will enter the two-game weekend series with the Jr. K-Wings with a total of 53 points, just two shy of the division leading Soo Eagles. Kalamazoo isn't too far back from the top of the pack, as they trail the Ironmen by just four points.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings

Goals: Robbie Payne (20 Goals)

Assists: Kyle Gattelaro (21 Assists)

Points: Robbie Payne (40 Points)

+/-: Luc Boby (+13)

Penalty Minutes: Trevor Boyd (69 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Robbie Payne (7 PPG)

Short Handed Goals: Lucas Kohls (1 SHG)

Game Winning Goals: Robbie Payne, Lucas Kohls, Danny Hamburg (3 GWG)

Shots: Robbie Payne (115 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Luc Boby (22.4%)

Goals Against Average: Alex Okicki (2.77 GAA)

Save Percentage: Marcus Due-Boje (.917%)

Debuting in Style

Kalamazoo forward Lucas Kohls was traded to the Jr. K-Wings earlier in the week from the Kenai River Brown Bears. He arrived in enough time to suit up for Sunday's contest against the Michigan Warriors. In his Kalamazoo debut, Kohls scored a goal, was +1, and registered four shots.

Okicki Named POTW

Kalamazoo goaltender Alex Okicki was honored by the leage this week, as he was named Combat Hockey's North Division Player of the Week after posting a 2-0 record, while allowing only three goals in 125 minutes of play. During the two game stretch, the 19-year-old goalie made 67 saves.

Tickets! Get Your Tickets!!

Tickets for all Jr. K-Wings home games are now on sale. Catch all the action as your Jr. K-Wings play the very best the NAHL has to offer. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Wings West office.

Get On-Line

This season, the best way to keep track of the Jr. K-Wings is to log onto www.jrkwings.com. The site has player profiles, information about Wings Stadium events, and much, much more.

Jr. K-Wings on The Air

Catch all the Jr. K-Wings games, home and away, on www.fasthockey.com. The home games will be with the "Voice of the Jr. K-Wings" Joey Roberts. The pre-game will start five minutes before puck drop.

Upcoming Games

Saturday, January 19th Vs. Jamestown 2:00 PM

Sunday, January 20th Vs. Jamestown 2:00 PM

Wednesday, January 23rd @ Port Huron 7:00 PM

Friday, January 25th @ Janesville 7:00 PM CST

Saturday, January 26th @ Janesville 7:00 PM CST



North American Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2013


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.

Other Recent Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central