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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Take Game 1 With Thrilling Finish

April 6, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- For the Kalamazoo Wings it had to feel like déjà vu. Using a similar script from their first home game of the season, the K-Wings defeated the Reading Royals 6-5 in overtime to take a one-game to none lead in the best-of-five American Conference Quarterfinal series.

On October 24th, in their first ever ECHL home game, it was Mathieu Curadeau that scored in overtime to secure the victory 2:05 into the extra session to lead the K-Wings over the Royals.

On Tuesday, Curadeau (1st) needed 2:08 into the overtime to rekindle a similar result.

A quick flowing opening period benefited no one for the first two-thirds of the period. Reading broke the gridlock late in the stanza with a goal from Yannick Riendeau (1st). Finding an opening on the far post, Riendeau was able to knock in a cross rink pass from Scott Langdon.

A high-octane second period generated a combined seven goals between to the two teams. Riendeau (2nd) earned his second of the night his wrist shot was stopped by Ryan Nie; however, when the loose puck trickled behind Nie, the K-Wings accidentally swiped it into their own net.

Storming back 6:36 into the period, Sam Ftorek (1st) rifled a slap shot from atop of the right circle placing the K-Wings on a scoreboard.

Killing off a penalty, Trent Daavettila poked the puck free to the tape Andrew Fournier. Able to slide by the defense, Fournier (2nd) used a deke and beat Matt Dalton to tie the game at 2-2.

Regaining the lead midway into the second period, Ryan Cruthers (1st), as his team's power-play was elapsing, flung a slap shot off a K-Wings and into the net.

Bounding back later in the stanza, Fournier won a draw in the Royals zone and sent it quickly to Daavettila (1st), who earned his third point of the night an a backhanded tally.

Keeping the see-saw match-up going, Stefano Giliati (1st) pushed the Royals back ahead scoring on a give-and-go marker from Daniel Steiner.

With less than two minutes remaining in the second period, Kalamazoo pulled even for the third time in the contest with a goal from Rick Cleaver (1st).

The K-Wings took their first lead of the night early in the third period with a lamp-lighter from Ben Simon (1st), who was playing in his first game with Kalamazoo since December 30th. Since January 1st, Simon has been on loan to the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies.

Reading erased the one-goal deficit and eventually forced overtime with a power-play marker midway in the period from Steiner.

Playing the second-most overtime/shootout games (20) in the ECHL during the regular season, Kalamazoo's overtime finish was the first in this season's Kelly Cup playoffs.

For Game Stats: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=7917.

Kalamazoo and Reading will continue their best-of-five series with a 7 p.m. face-off in game two tomorrow, Wednesday, April 7th at Wings Stadium.

Getting fans in the mood for the teams first Kelly Cup Playoff run, Wings Stadium has decided to expand the $1 beer, $1 hot dog promotion to include all round one postseason home games.

While supplies last, fans attending game two of the series will receive a FREE playoff rally towel courtesy of the United Kennel Club.

Single-game tickets for any of the K-Wings Kelly Cup playoff 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.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics



ECHL Stories from April 6, 2010


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