ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Week in Review

Published on January 14, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Record Last Week: 3-1-0 Overall Record 16-18-7

Game Rewind The K-Wings hit the ice four times last week. Kalamazoo started the week on Wednesday (1/8), as they hosted the Elmira Jackals. The Jackals flew out the gates scoring two goals in first 2:13 of the contest and never looked back. The Jackals were led by Aaron Phillips, (14,15) who netted two goals in the five-nothing victory. The shutout was the third of the season for Elmira, and it was the second given up by Kalamazoo. Elmira netminder Jeremy Symington was brilliant between the pipes, as he stopped all 29 shots to record his second shutout of the year. Chad Alban received the loss for the K-Wings, despite the loss, Alban was solid in net as he stopped 36 shots. The loss dropped Chad's record to 6-7-4.

Kalamazoo would continue their three-game home stand on Friday (1/10) as they hit ice trying to prevent history against the Missouri River Otters at Wings Stadium. Missouri entered the game on a 8 game winning streak, and a 10 game road winning streak, which was one game shy of the UHL record set by the 99-00 Quad City Mallards and the 99-00 B.C. Icemen. The K-Wings power play unit dominated the first period as they went 2 for 2 in the opening period accounting for both the K-Wings goals. Tyson Turgeon (3) scored from between the circles 17:18 into the period to give Kalamazoo a 1-0 lead. Kalamazoo extended their lead just over two minutes later on a Kurt Miller (8) tip in. Missouri would cut the K-Wings lead in half early in the period on a goal by Joey Bastien (15). Kalamazoo regained their two-goal cushion midway in the second period on Jim Brown's 10th goal of the season. The K-Wings lead to jump to three goals at the 15:21 mark of the period, when Richard Keyes struck with his 22nd of the year to give Kalamazoo a 4-1 lead. Missouri mounted a comeback that started in the second period and continued into the third, as the River Otters scored the games next three goals to tie the game at 4-4. As the game seemed to be heading into a shootout, the K-Wings would answer with one more goal. With 27.5 seconds to play in regulation Jim Brown (11) scored his second of the game and third game winner of the season giving the K-Wings the 5-4 victory and putting a halt to the River Otters bid to tie the UHL record for most consecutive road victories.

The K-Wings concluded their three-game home stand on Saturday (1/11) against the Rockford IceHogs. Kalamazoo got the scoring started late in the opening period, when Mark Lawrence (7) scored on a rebound 18:17 into the period. The score would stay 1-0 until the second period, when Kalamazoo forward Craig Bilick knocked in his 10th goal of the year to make the score 2-0 in favor of the K-Wings. Kalamazoo would extend their lead to 3-nothing late in period when Jim Brown (12) scored on the power play 17:45 into the second period. Rockford would answer back with two goals (Brad Olsen, Steve Cygan) both shorthanded, to make the score 3-2 Kalamazoo. The K-Wings would put the game on ice in the third period, when Richard Keyes tallied his team leading 23rd goal of the year to make the score 4-2. Justin Cardwell would add an insurance goal for the K-Wings as he scored his 9th of the year at the 17:16 mark of the period to give the K-Wings a 5-2 lead. Kalamazoo would conclude the game's scoring over a minute later, when Peter Roed scored his fourth shorthanded goal of the season and his 14th overall, as Kalamazoo scored a season high 6 goals en route to a 6-2 victory over the Rockford IceHogs.

Kalamazoo concluded the week on Sunday (1/12) as they traveled to Fort Wayne to play the top team in the Eastern Conference, the Fort Wayne Komets. It was a special night for Komets fans, as former Komet from the IHL era Steve Fletcher made his return to the Fort Wayne roster. The 40-year old forward, who hadn't play since the 95-96 season for the Atlanta Knights, was going to play one last game, so he could finish his career as a Fort Wayne Komet. The game turned into a goaltending duel, as K-Wings netminder Chad Alban and Komets goaltender Tom Lawson dazzled the crowd for the entire three periods. The K-Wings lone goal in regulation was scored in the first period, when Pat O'Leary created a Komet turnover in the neutral zone, and found Craig Bilick for his 11th goal of the year. Fort Wayne would tie the game up in the second period, when Kevin Kotyluk (3) tipped in a loose puck in front of Alban to make the score 1-1. The game went into a shootout, and in the extra session the K-Wings and the Komets would go 7 shooters deep, and thanks to Alban's stellar play carrying into the shootout and the go-ahead shootout goal by Mark Lawrence, the K-Wings defeated the Komets 2-1. -MORE- Fast Forward Kalamazoo will play three games this week. The K-Wings continue their three game road swing on Thursday (1/16), in Glens Falls, New York, against the Adirondack IceHawks. The game will be the sixth meeting of the year between the two teams. The K-Wings are 2-2-1 against the IceHawks this season, and are 4-5-1 lifetime. The game will be a showdown of the top offensive players in the league as K-Wing forward Richard Keyes, along with IceHawks J.C. Ruid, Dominic Chiasson, and Hugo Belanger are four of the leagues top five goal scorers. The K-Wings, who won their last meeting at the Glens Falls Civic Center (12/23) by the final of 3-1, however, Kalamazoo will try to avenge a 6-4 loss suffered the last time the teams played at Wings Stadium on 12/31.

The K-Wings will conclude their three game road swing on Saturday (1/17), when they play the Port Huron Beacons. Kalamazoo is 2-1-0 against the Beacons this year, including a 4-3 victory at the McMorran Place Arena on 1/5/03. Richard Keyes leads all K-Wings against the Beacons, as he has recorded 4 points (1 goal and 3 assists) in 3 games.

Kalamazoo concludes the week on Saturday (1/18), as they host the top team in the UHL and the Western Conference the Missouri River Otters. The K-Wings are 3-1-2 against the River Otters this season, however, the River Otters will be looking to avenge last week's loss to Kalamazoo, which snapped their 8 game winning streak, and their 10 game road winning streak. Also, the first 1,000 fans into Wings Stadium will receive a FREE K-Wings mouse pad courtesy of WRCC.

Reynaert Completes Trade Goaltender Jeff Reynaert has been selected as the player to be named later in the trade with the Quad City Mallards for defenseman Dan Hodge and forward Shawn Roed. Quad City will also receive the K-Wings first and second draft picks in the UHL Amateur Draft in March.

K-Wings Sign Dunn The K-Wings have signed goaltender Stu Dunn. Dunn played for the K-Wings earlier this season, when Chad Alban was called-up to Grand Rapids (AHL).

-MORE- Bilick Extends Streak to 3 Games With his goal against Fort Wayne on Sunday, forward Craig Bilick has extended his scoring streak to three games. Bilick has scored 2 goals and 1 assist in his past three games.

K-Wings Complete Trifecta The K-Wings are coming off an impressive three game weekend. Kalamazoo defeated the top team in the league, as well as in the Western Conference the Missouri River Otters. The following night the K-Wings defeated the second place team in the Western Conference, the Rockford IceHogs. Kalamazoo concluded the weekend by defeating the top team in the Eastern Conference the Fort Wayne Komets.

Three's Company With their big weekend last week, the K-Wings will start this week on a three game winning streak. The three game winning streak is the longest this season for Kalamazoo.

Mouse Pad Night When the K-Wings return home on Saturday against the Missouri River Otters (1/18), they will do so on Mouse Pad Night. The first 1,000 fans at Wings Stadium will receive a free K-Wings Mouse Pad courtesy of WRCC.

Meijer Autograph Night Saturday Night, will also continue the K-Wings and Meijer's Autograph series. Signing this week after the game against Missouri will be the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno.

Turgeon on the Radio Join special guest Tyson Turgeon, as he joins General Manager/Head Coach Paul Pickard and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno on The Sports Station 1600 AM WQSN. The show runs from 6:30-7PM at Gallagher's Eatery on Stadium Drive.

The Obscure Stat of the Week The K-Wings are 5-2-1 on Sunday's this season. In their UHL history, the K-Wings are 22-20-4 on the first day of the week.

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, January 16th @ Adirondack 7:00 PM Friday, January 17th @ Port Huron 7:05 PM Saturday, January 18h Vs Missouri 7:30 PM (K-Wings Mouse Pad Night Courtesy of WRCC) -GET INTO THE GAME -

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