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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Explode for Six Goals, Cap off Weekend Sweep of Eagles

February 20, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


KALAMAZOO, MI- Alex Mallet recorded a goal and three assists to lead the Kalamazoo Wings in a decisive 6-3 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Saturday night at Wings Event Center.

Taking advantage of their first power play opportunity of the evening, the Wings tapped in the game's first tally. Dane Fox slipped his defender at the top of the circles and blasted home a one-time feed from the stick of Mallet. The goal was Fox's team-leading 21st of the season.

Striking on a power play chance of their own, the Eagles made it a 1-1 game at 12:55 of the first. A loose puck in front of Joel Martin was batted around by numerous Colorado skaters, but it was Everett Sheen who was able to poke it past Martin for his sixth of the season.

Just 18 seconds into the second period, the Wings regained their one goal advantage. Anton Cederholm walked down to the right faceoff dot, lifting an innocent-looking shot on Eric Levine, who was handcuffed on the shot, and let the puck sneak between his left leg and trapper. The goal was the rookie defenseman's second in as many games after going his first 45 contests without a goal.

Colin Murray returned to the Kalamazoo lineup for the first time since January 12, and made his presence felt by pushing the Wings' lead to 3-1 during the second period. Tanner Sorenson found Murray at the blue line, allowing Murray to carry down the right side, turn at the faceoff dot, and sneak the puck under the glove of Levine.

Racing around with loads of space during a four-on-three power play, Kalamazoo continued to pad their lead. While being hooked to the ice, Evan McEneny placed a perfectly-timed feed to the tape of Ludwig Blomstrand, who found an open Curtis Valk for the easy back-door marker.

Showing no quit in the second, the Eagles struck for their second power play tally of the night, sneaking back to within two goals. Trent Daavettila pushed a shot on Martin, who made the pad save, but the rebound landed on the tape of Kyle Kraemer, who deposited the puck into the open net.

Just 1:09 into the final frame, the Wings opened up a 5-2 lead, courtesy of Mallet. Justin Kovacs lifted a pass into the wheelhouse of Mallet, who slid the puck under a sprawling Levine.

Not going away easily, Colorado took advantage of a scrum in front of Martin to make it a 5-3 game, late in the third period. Curt Gogol spun the initial shot on net that Martin could not handle, creating a myriad of rebound chances. Through traffic in front, Daavetilla finally pushed it in for his 18th of the season.

With just under five minutes left to play in the contest, Blomstrand put the game out of reach. The puck sailed near the rafters and landed at the feet of Blomstrand, who waited patiently for Levine to sprawl out, and carried to the left wing, and snapped the puck into the open net. The goal extended Blomstrand's goal-scoring streak to five games, a new season high for any K-Wing.

Next: Kalamazoo at Toledo- Sunday, February 21, Huntington Center, 5:15 p.m.

Notes: Kalamazoo earned their first three-game winning streak of the season. Mallet recorded four points on the night (1G, 3A). Justin Taylor missed his first game of the season due to injury. The Wings hold a 4-1-0-0 record all-time versus Colorado.

Stats: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=13349

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.

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