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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings give a lesson in perseverance

November 6, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- With a crowd of 4,167 filled mainly of area school kids giving plenty of support, the Kalamazoo Wings fought off a comeback bid from the Wheeling Nailers to earn a 3-2 shootout victory on Education Day at Wings Stadium.

Putting the kids in a frenzy, Ludwig Blomstrand (2nd) gave the K-Wings the lead midway in the opening period with a slap shot from between the circles. Ryan Del Monte and Aaron Clarke were credited with the assists on the play. For Clarke, it didn't take him long to earn his first point of the season. Clarke, who missed the first five games of the year due to injury, was made his season debut in the morning contest.

The second period was dominated by the K-Wings defense. Allowing only two shots in the period, Kalamazoo outgunned the Nailers 12-2 with shots on net.

Killing off a penalty to start the third period, Kalamazoo went on the offensive and scored 43 seconds in the stanza. Stealing the puck at the K-Wings blue-line, Ray Kaunisto found a streaking Del Monte (1st), who scored shorthanded to put the K-Wings ahead 2-0. The K-Wings penalty-kill was ferocious all afternoon. Not only did they kill off all four Wheeling power-plays, they didn't surrender a shot on goal in any of those attempts.

Despite the two goal lead, Wheeling did not back down to Kalamazoo, and scored two un-answered goals. Cody Sylvester (3rd) brought the Nailers back to within a single goal scoring on a breakaway 4:56 into the period.

With their goaltender pulled, Jack MacLellan (3rd) knocked in a rebound with 37 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.

For the second straight game, Kalamazoo's fate would hinge in a shootout. However, unlike their shootout loss on November 3rd, the K-Wings wouldn't be denied.

Kalamazoo out-dueled Wheeling 3-1 in the extra session receiving goals from Justin Taylor, Yanni Gourde and David Pecan, who ended the shootout with a goal that kissed the post and bounced off of goaltender Eric Hartzell and into the net to secure the victory.

The victory marked the 200th in the career of head coach Nick Bootland and the first professional victory for goaltender Jordan Binnington (1-2-0-0), who made 22 saves in the game.

The K-Wings will continue their five-game home stand this Friday, November 8th with a

7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Cincinnati Cyclones on Word of Life and Scout Night.

Tickets for all 36 K-Wings home games are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, including www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000. Ticket office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Regular season ticket prices for home games are $13 and $17.50 for adults and only $7 for kids ages 12 and under. The price for all K-Wings premium night games (all colored ice games and the New Year's Eve game) are just $1 more. Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single-game tickets in advance. Tickets purchased on the day of a game increase by $2 (adults only).

Fans that plan on attending multiple games can avoid service fees plus enjoy a discount from the single-game price by purchasing a 12, 24 or 36-game flexi-plan. These plans, along with full-season and group ticket packages may be ordered through the K-Wings Sales office by calling (269) 743-6011.

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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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