ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Week In Review

November 26, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Record Last Week: 1-1-1 Overall Record 5-9-4

Game Rewind The K-Wings played three games in three nights last weekend. Kalamazoo started the week at home on Friday (11/22) as they hosted the Rockford IceHogs in the first half of a home and home series between the teams. Rockford started the scoring in the first period with a goal by Matt Loen (7). The K-Wings would answer back less than 3 minutes later when Jim Brown (3) scored from below the right circle to tie the game at 1-1. Later in the period, Jeff Antonovich would give the IceHogs a 2-1 on his 8th goal of the season. The game would remain 2-1 until the 3rd period when Rockford would extend their lead to 3-1 on a goal from Steve Dumonski (6). With less than 8 minutes remaining in the game the K-Wings would mount a comeback. First it was Chad Dameworth (1), who would score from the top of the left circle to cut the Rockford lead to 3-2. Then with just over two minutes to play in regulation it would be Pat O'Leary (1) that would knock in a Craig Bilick rebound to the tie the game at 3-3. The game would eventually head into a shootout. In the extra session, the K-Wings would score on all four of their opportunities, while Rockford scored on just two shootout attempts, as the K-Wings went on to defeat the IceHogs by the final of 4-3.

On Saturday (11/23), the K-Wings and the IceHogs finished off their home and home series at the Rockford Metrocenter. The K-Wings had a uncharacteristic first period, which was Kalamazoo receive 35 minutes in penalties. Rockford capitalized on their power play opportunities, as both Alex Alexeev (1), and Clint Wensley (5) scored power play goals to give the IceHogs a 2-0 lead. Rockford would add two more goals in the second period, including a second goal by Wensley (6), as they would go on to defeat the K-Wings 4-0.

The K-Wings would conclude the week on Sunday (11/24), as they traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to battle the Komets. Kalamazoo started the games scoring midway through the first period with a goal from Pat O'Leary (2). Fort Wayne would tie the game up three minutes later on a power play goal from Colin Chaulk (5). Late in the opening period, the K-Wings would answer back with a power play goal of their own, as Mark Lawrence's 3rd goal of the season, would give the K-Wings a 2-1 lead entering the second period. The K-Wings would extend their lead to 3-1 near the midway mark of the period, when Joe Pecoraro scored his second goal of the season on a breakaway. Fort Wayne would cut the K-Wings lead to just a single goal later in the period, when Kevin Bertram (2) scored from the slot to make the score 3-2 in favor of Kalamazoo. Fort Wayne would tie the game midway in the final period, with a power play goal by Chaulk, the goal was his sixth of the season, and his second of the game. The game would eventually head into a shootout, where Fort Wayne would prevail and defeat the K-Wings by the final of 4-3.

Fast Forward The stage is set for a big week of hockey for the K-Wings. Kalamazoo enters the week just four points behind Muskegon for forth place, and five points behind Quad City for third place in the Western Conference. The K-Wings will start the week on Thanksgiving, as they travel to Muskegon to battle the Fury. This will be the five meeting between the teams this season, with the K-Wings trailing the season series with a record of 1-2-1, however, the K-Wings have found success at the Walker Arena, as the K-Wings are 1-0-1 in Muskegon this season.

The K-Wings will continue the week at home, as they play the Quad City Mallards at Wings Stadium. This will be the third meeting between the teams this season, and the second at Wings Stadium. In the previous two meetings, the home team has skated away with the victory. The K-Wings will conclude the week on Saturday (11/30), as they head back to Muskegon to play the Fury.

Alexeev Heads to Flint The Kalamazoo Wings announce that defenseman Kirill Alexeev has been selected by the Flint Generals as the player to be named later to the complete the trade for Mark Vilneff. The K-Wings traded for Vilneff last week.

Shootouts Galore The Kalamazoo Wings have seen their share of shootouts this season. Kalamazoo has already participated in six shootouts this year, including three out their last four games. Entering this week the K-Wings are 2-4 in shootouts.

100th Assist is Right Down the Roed Entering this week, K-Wing forward Peter Roed needs 5 assists to reach 100 for his career.

Irish Eyes are Smiling K-Wings forward Pat O'Leary scored his first goal as a professional in last Friday's victory over Rockford (4-3). Pat also tallied a goal later in the weekend as he scored his second of the season in Sunday's shootout loss (4-3) to Fort Wayne.

Feast or Famine The stage is set for a big weekend for the K-Wings. Kalamazoo trails Muskegon by just four points for 4th place in the Western Conference and Quad City for 5th place for third. The K-Wings will play both teams this week. The K-Wings will battle Muskegon on both Thursday and Saturday, with both games being played in Muskegon. The K-Wings will host Quad City on Friday here at Wings Stadium.

Vilneff Reaches Milestone With his assist on Pat O'Leary's goal against Fort Wayne on Sunday, defenseman Mark Vilneff reach a personal milestone. The assist was the 100th career point for Vilneff.

Lawrence Nears Milestone K-Wing forward Mark Lawrence is only 4 goals shy of 200 for his career. Of his 196 goals in his career, Lawrence has tallied 108 of those with the K-Wings both in the IHL and the UHL.

Poster Night The first 1,500 fans into the Wings Stadium on Friday, November 29th when the K-Wings host the Quad City Mallards will receive a free K-Wings Kollectors poster featuring the K-Wings dynamic goaltending duo of Chad Alban and Jeff Reynaert.

The Obscure Stat of the Week So far this season the K-Wings are 2-1-2 when the score is tied after two periods of play. Lifetime the K-Wings are 26-10-10 when they are tied with their opponents after the second period.

Tickets Get Your Tickets!! Tickets for all K-Wing home games are now on sale. Catch all the action as your K-Wings play the very best the UHL has to offer. Tickets for are on sale by calling the K-Wings at 345-5101.

Get on Line This season the best to keep track of the K-Wings is to log onto www.kwings.com. The new site has player profiles, information about Wings Stadium events, and much more.

K-Wings on Radio Catch all the K-Wings games home and away on the K-Wings Radio Network (WLKM 95.9, WQSN 1660 AM, and WRCC 1400 AM). Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 76 regular season games and the playoffs. Pre game coverage begins with the Basic Communications Pre Game Show 15 minutes prior to face-off. For the most complete coverage of the K-Wings from the Opening Face-Off to the Final Buzzer keep your radio tuned this season to the K-Wings Radio Network.

UP COMING GAMES Thursday, November 28th @ Muskegon 7:00 PM (Thanksgiving) Friday, November 29th Vs Quad City 7:30 PM (K-Wings Poster Night) Saturday, November 30th @ Muskegon 7:30 PM Wednesday, December 4th Vs Port Huron 7:00 PM (Family Pack Night: 4 Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs and 4 Cokes all for $28)

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