ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Week in Review

February 18, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo Wings Week In Review For the Week of February 17th-February 23rd

Record Last Week: 1-3-0 Overall Record 20-30-7

Game Rewind The K-Wings hit the ice four times last week. Kalamazoo started the week on Wednesday (2/12), as they traveled to Flint to battle the Generals. Kalamazoo controlled the opening 20 minutes of play, as the K-Wings scored the games first 2 goals. First, it was Chris Brooks scoring his first goal of the season just 1:43 into the contest to give the K-Wings the 1-0 lead. Kalamazoo would extend their lead to 2-0 at the 6:27 mark of the period, when Kurt Miller (11) scored on the power play. Flint would mount the comeback in the second period. Martin Woods would cut the K-Wings lead to 2-1 with his 13th goal of the season just under 2 minutes into the period. Flint would tie the game later in the second period, when Jim Duhart scored his 33rd of the year to tie the game at 2-2. In the third period, Flint scored the games next two goals including the game-winning goal by Gary Roach (8), as Flint went on to defeat Kalamazoo 4-2.

Kalamazoo traveled back home to host the Adirondack Icehawks on Valentines Night. The Icehawks came on strong in the first period with two goals in the games first 20 minutes. The score would be 3-0 Adirondack in the second period before the K-Wings could attempt a comeback. First, it was Dan Hodge scoring his 3rd of the year to make the score 3-1 IceHawks. The K-Wings stuck again later in the period when Craig Bilick lit the lamp for the 12th of the season cutting the IceHawks lead to 3-2. However, Adirondack put the game out of reach scoring two third period goals, both off the stick of Dominic Chaisson to give the IceHawks a 5-2 victory over Kalamazoo.

The K-Wings third game of the week took place on Saturday (2/16) as they traveled to Rockford, Illinois, to battle the IceHogs. The IceHogs came on strong by scoring three goals in the first period, which proved to a home to K-Wings couldn't climb out of. Kalamazoo's lone goal did not occur until the last minute of second period, when Pat O'Leary scored his 6th goal of the season, which made the score 5-1 IceHogs. Rockford's goaltender J.F. Rivard was on fire stopping 22 shots on his way to his second victory of the year, as Rockford knocked off Kalamazoo 5-1. The loss extended the K-Wings losing streak to 9 games, which tied their franchise record.

Kalamazoo played their fourth game in five nights on Sunday as they played the Missouri River Otters in St. Charles, Missouri. Chad Alban was impressive all night stopping 35 of 36 shots. Kalamazoo's offense proved to be potent, as four different K-Wing players would chime in with a goal as the K-Wings snapped a 9 game winless streak with a 4-1 victory over the Missouri River Otters.

Fast Forward The K-Wings enter the week having broke their 9 game losing streak and hoping to produce a winning streak as they have the advantage of playing 3 games in four nights all at Wings Stadium. The K-Wings will play the Fort Wayne Komets on Wednesday (2/19). The Komets enter the week, not only as the top team in the Eastern Conference, but as the top team in the entire UHL. With a record of 32-16-7 (71 points), the Komets are 3 points ahead of Adirondack in their conference. The K-Wings have found success against the UHL's best team, as Kalamazoo is 2-2-0 against Fort Wayne this year.

The K-Wings play their second of three home games as they battle the Missouri River Otters on Friday (2/21). Missouri will enter Wings Stadium looking to avenge their loss to Kalamazoo on Sunday. While the K-Wings victory ended their 9-game losing streak, the River Otters loss to Kalamazoo did extend their winless streak to 8 games. The K-Wings are 5-2-2 against the River Otters.

Kalamazoo finishes off the week at home as they play the Port Huron Beacons On Saturday, (2/22) on "Guaranteed Win Night". Without a shadow of a doubt this game has playoff implications as Kalamazoo trails Port Huron by five games in playoff hunt. Saturday's contest will mark the first of three games against the Beacons before the end of the season, all of which will be played at Wings Stadium. More than ever, K-Wings fans should come out and cheer their hometown team because if the K-Wings win, fans in attendance will win a ticket to the K-Wings game against Muskegon on 2/26. So far this season, the K-Wings are 3-2-0 against the Beacons.

Done at Last With their victory over the Missouri River Otters on Sunday, the K-Wings have snapped their 9 game winless streak. The 9 game streak ties the franchise record set last season, and is also the longest streak in the UHL.

Guaranteed Win Night On Saturday, the K-Wings will host the Port Huron Beacons at Wings Stadium. Besides being a crucial battle with playoff implications, it will also be Guaranteed Win Night. If the K-Wings defeat the Beacons, then everyone in attendance on Saturday will receive a free ticket to the K-Wings home game against Muskegon on February 26th.

On a Roll K-Wings forward Chris Brooks enters the week on a scoring streak. Brooks has registered a point in each of past 3 K-Wing games he has played. In the past three games, Chris has tallied 3 points (1 goal and 2 assists).

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

The Obscure Stat of the Week While the K-Wings haven't faired well on Pink Ice (0-3-0), they do have a good record on games played on different colored ice. Including Pink Ice games the K-Wings are 14-7-3 in games played on different colored ice. The K-Wings are 14-4-3 on their traditional Green Ice Game.

Tickets Get Your Tickets!! Tickets for all K-Wings home games are now on sale. Catch all the action as your K-Wings play the very best the UHL has to offer. Tickets 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 Wednesday, February 19th Vs Fort Wayne 7:00 PM (Family Four Pack Night, AAA 2 for 1, Rocker Card) Friday, February 21st Vs Missouri 7:30 PM (Mardi Gras Night) Saturday, February 22nd Vs Port Huron 7:30 PM (Guaranteed Win Night: If the K-Wings are victorious against Port Huron, everyone in attendance will receive a free ticket to the K-Wings game against Muskegon on 2/26) Wednesday, February 26t Vs Muskegon 7:00 PM (Family Four Pack Night, AAA 2 for 1, Rocker Card)

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