ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Week in Review

Published on November 4, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


For the Week of November 3rd-9th

Record Last Week: 1-1-0 Overall Record 3-1-0

Game Rewind: Kalamazoo started last week on Friday (10/31) as they concluded a three game road swing in Port Huron. The K-Wings got the scoring started in the opening period, when Andrew Luciuk (1) scored on the power play 6:20 into the period to give the K-Wings an early 1-0 lead. The Beacons answered back later in the period on an even strength goal from Michel Beausoleil (2). The score remained tied until :53 seconds into the second period, when Beacons forward Brent Gretzky scored the go ahead goal to give Port Huron a 2-1 lead. The goal also symbolized the first time during the 2003-04 season that the K-Wings have trailed in a game; however, Kalamazoo wouldn't trail long, as rookie forward B.J. Gaustad scored on a deflection to tie the game at 2-2. The K-Wings regained the lead just 59 seconds later, when Pat O'Leary scored on a rebound to make the score 3-2 in favor of Kalamazoo. O' Leary struck again later in the second period, when he scored his second goal of the game on a breakaway to give the K-Wings a 4-2 lead. Port Huron would mount a comeback. First it was Aaron Brand scoring with 16:02 remaining in the second period to cut the K-Wings lead to 4-3. In the third period, the Beacons tied the game 3-3, on a goal from Benoit Genesse. Port Huron recaptured the lead midway in the period, when Gretzky netted his second of the game to make the score 5-4 Port Huron. Kalamazoo answered back once again to tie the game, as Chad Dameworth scored the equalizer from the point. However, the night would belong to Port Huron, as Gretzky blasted a shot from right circle past Chad Alban with just over 5 minutes remaining in the game. The goal proved to be the game-winner as the K-Wings tasted defeat for the first time this season with a 6-5 loss in Port Huron.

After suffering their loss of the season the night prior, the K-Wings were looking to rebound against the Fort Wayne Komets on Saturday, November 1st. For the K-Wings the game against the Komets was Kalamazoo's opener and the start of the Wings Stadium Complex and the K-Wings 30th Anniversary Celebration. Before the game, Stadium Management Company along with special guests unveiled "A Lasting Wings Tradition". This exhibit will serve as a tribute to the rich tradition that the Wings Stadium Complex has had in southwest Michigan. Photo collages delineating the chronological history of the Wings Stadium Complex and the Kalamazoo Wings will be displayed throughout the main concourse of Wings Stadium. The K-Wings started the celebration off right was Jeff Turner (2) scored on the power play 3:04 into the game to give the K-Wings a 1-nothing lead. The K-Wings struck again just 41 seconds later when B.J. Gaustad (2) scored from just inside the left circle to extend the K-Wings lead to 2-0. From there the K-Wings power play took over scoring the games next three goals. First it was Marty Flichel scoring his second of the season on blast atop the left circle to give Kalamazoo a 3-nothing lead. Kalamazoo concluded the scoring in the opening period with an unassisted power play goal from Greg Labenski (1). The K-Wings lead would grow to 4-nothing late in the second period, when David Hukalo scored his first goal as a professional on the power play with 38.5 seconds remaining in the second period. Kalamazoo concluded the scoring in the final period, as Marty Flichel sent a perfect pass to Pat O'Leary (4), who beat Jimi St. John on a back hander. Chad Alban stopped 19 shots to record his second shut out of the year as Kalamazoo cruised to a 6-nothing victory over the Komets. Fast Forward: Rivalry Month continues this week as the K-Wings battle the Muskegon Fury in a home and home series. The two game set starts Friday night in Kalamazoo as K-Wings host their inter-state rivals at 7:30 pm in Wings Stadium. On Saturday, the two teams will head up north to Muskegon for a 7:30 pm face-off at the Walker Arena. First place could be on the line this weekend, as the K-Wings trail the Fury by only 2 points for the top spot in the Western Conference.

On a Roll: Three K-Wings players start the week on scoring streaks. Forwards Pat O'Leary, Marty Flichel, and defenseman Jim Dube all currently have 4 game scoring streaks. More on Dube: Dube also holds the UHL's current assist streak at 4 games. Dube ranks third among defenseman in assists (4).

Isn't That Special: K-Wings have the number 1 power play and penalty kill in the league. Kalamazoo Power Play ranks number 1 at 32%, while the penalty kill is number 1 at 92 percent.

Scoring Punch: In their four games this season the K-Wings have scored four or more goals in each of their four games. The K-Wings are second in the UHL in goals scored averaging 4.75 goals a game. Last season the K-Wings were last in the UHL in goals scored averaging 2.76 goals a game. Solid Between the Pipes: Chad Alban leads the league in shutouts with 2. He recorded his second shutout of the season during the K-Wings 6-0 home opening victory over the defending Colonial Cup champions the Fort Wayne Komets last Saturday (11/1).

How the West is Won: K-Wings start the week with a record 3-1-0. In the Western Division the K-Wings are a perfect 3-0-0.

The Obscure Stat of the Week: This season the K-Wings are just one of two teams (Richmond River Dogs) that have scored first in each of their games. So far this year, the K-Wings are 3-1-0 when scoring before their opponent; however, lifetime the K-Wings are 89-39-1 when scoring first in a game.

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 (269) 345-5101.

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

O'Leary on the Radio: Join special guests Tyler Willis and former K-Wings great Brent Jarrett, as they join Head Coach Mark Reeds and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno on "K-Wings Live". The show is on The Sports Station 1600 AM WQSN Monday's from 6-7PM at Sports Forum on Mosel.

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 Countdown to Face-Off 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.

Upcoming Games: Friday, November 7th Vs Muskegon 7:30 PM Saturday, November 8th @ Muskegon 7:30 PM

Friday, November 14th @ Elmira 7:00 PM

Saturday, November 15th @ Elmira 7:00 PM

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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