ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Slowed Down by Quick-Strike Admirals

March 11, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo Wings Try to Score vs. the Norfolk Admirals
Kalamazoo Wings Try to Score vs. the Norfolk Admirals
(Kalamazoo Wings)

KALAMAZOO, MI- The Norfolk Admirals struck for three tallies in a span of 2:43 in the first period and used the early advantage to propel themselves to a victory over the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday night at Wings Event Center.

The Admirals struck for the game's first marker under three minutes into the game, courtesy of Devin Mantha. Mantha laid back as a trailer on an odd-man rush down the ice and made himself available for a feed. Nick MacNeil found Mantha at the top of the right circle and, using a Kalamazoo defender as a screen, fired a shot past Joel Martin.

Just 29 seconds later, Norfolk extended their lead to 2-0. Creating a scrum in front of the net, Wes Cunningham took an opportunity to lift the puck towards the net where Alexis Loiseau deflected the attempt past the glove of Martin.

Opening their lead to three goals, the Admirals continued to push the pace and pressure the Wings. With another mass of bodies in front of Martin, Davis Vandane slid a shot towards the net that caromed off the pad of Martin and to the tape of Steven Whitney, who pushed the puck into the open net.

The second period saw Kalamazoo outshoot the Admirals 10-2, but neither team were able to capitalize on any of the efforts, as the period ended as it began, with Norfolk holding a 3-0 lead.

The Wings continued to carry momentum in the early stages of the third period and cut their deficit to 3-1. Cory Pritz carried the puck off the right-side boards at the blueline, unleashed a dipping shot from the point that was re-directed by Adam Phillips, past Nic Riopel, and into the goal.

Just over three minutes later, the Admirals regained their three goal advantage. Not fazed by the Kalamazoo strike, Norfolk cycled the puck around the Wings' zone, creating havoc in front of Martin, where Danick Gauthier jabbed home his 11th of the season.

Helping the Wings draw back to within two, Evan McEneny, from his knees, kept the puck in the zone and slid the puck to Justin Kovacs at the right boards, who found Curtis Valk between the dots. Valk uncorked a slap shot over the shoulder of Riopel and under the bar.

Not letting Kalamazoo gain any momentum from their strikes, Norfolk answered once again. A two-on-one break gave Robbie Czarnik room to put a heavy wrist shot on net that handcuffed Martin. The loose puck was poked home by Braden Christoffer to make it 5-2, and capped off the evening's strikes.

Next: Kalamazoo @ Wheeling- Saturday, March 12, 7:35 p.m., WesBanco Arena.

Notes: McEneny pushed his assist streak to five games. Norfolk are 5-1-0-0 against the North Division this season. Kalamazoo is 2-5-2-0 against the East Division this season. Valk returned to the lineup after missing three games due to injury. Phillips scored his second goal in three games since moving to forward.

Stats: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=13460

The Wings return home on Thursday, March 17 for the 35th annual "World Famous" Green Ice Game, presented by Flametamer, against the Brampton Beast. The Wings will wear specialty jerseys, available for auction, with all proceeds being donated to the Help Now! Fund. The Wings Event Center concession stands will feature green beer, Guinness, and Reuben sandwiches.

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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Kalamazoo Wings Try to Score vs. the Norfolk Admirals
Kalamazoo Wings Try to Score vs. the Norfolk Admirals
   



ECHL Stories from March 11, 2016


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