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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings week in review

February 24, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Record Last Week: 2-0-1 Overall Record 27-16-8

Game Rewind
The K-Wings started their three game week on Wednesday (2/18) as they hosted the Port Huron Beacons. The scoring got started in the first period, when Guy Dupuis (10) scored from the right point to give the K-Wings a 1-0 lead. Kalamazoo extended their lead later in the period, while on the power play, as Daniel Carriere found Jeff Turner (29) open in the left circle, who then in turn fired the puck passed Kory Cooper to give the K-Wings a 2-nothing lead. Port Huron got on the board a few minutes later, when Michel Beausoleil (23) snuck in front and beat Chad Alban with a backhanded 12:02 into the first period. Kalamazoo regained their two goal cushion in the second period, when K.C. Caudill took the puck behind the Beacons net and found Tim Turner open in the slot, who roofed the shot past Cooper for his 10th goal of the year. Kalamazoo put the game out of reach in the third period, scoring three goals, including two from David Hukalo (2,3). Hukalo's second goal was assisted by newly acquired K-Wing Steve Doherty. Doherty, who is a Kalamazoo native, was playing in his first professional game. While growing up, Steve served as a stick boy for the K-Wings.

Kalamazoo continued their three game week against Port Huron on Friday (2/20), as they traveled to Port Huron. The K-Wings defensemen set the tone for the game. First it was Guy Dupuis (11) sending a rocket passed Stu Dunn from the center of the Blue Line to give the K-Wings a 1-0 lead. Kalamazoo roared back with a another goal just 27 seconds later, when Jim Dube (2) knocked in his own rebound to extend the k-Wings lead to 2-0. The Beacons cut the K-Wings lead back to one, as Michel Beausoleil scored his 24th goal of the year. Later in the period, the K-Wings would answer back, when Kurt Miller scored his first goal of the year on a wrist shot from between the circles to extend the K-Wings lead by to two goals. With just under four minutes remaining in the first period, Dan Watson (2) sent a laser past Dunn, and subsequently knocking Dunn out of the game, as Beacons Head Coach Bruce Ramsay replaced Dunn with Kory Cooper. The score remained 4-1 in favor of Kalamazoo, until the second period, when Ian Jacobs (6) sent a shot past Chad Alban. Kalamazoo regained their three goal lead later in the period, when Daniel Carriere scored his eighth goal of the year on a back hand between the circles. Port Huron attempted the comeback scoring the games next two goals to make the score 5-4 in favor of Kalamazoo. However, the K-Wings would put the game away midway in the final period, with Dube's (3) second goal of the game, as the K-Wings would go on to defeat the Beacons by the final of 6-4.

The three game set with the Beacons ended on Sunday (2/22), as both teams returned to Wings Stadium for a matinee at Wings Stadium. Like the first two games of the week, the K-Wings scored first, when Daniel Carriere (9) deflected a shot passed Stu Dunn to put the K-Wings up 1-0. Late in the first period, the Beacons would knot the game up, when Ian Jacobs (8) scored on the power play to make the score 1-1 going into the second period. Kalamazoo regained the lead in the second period on Carriere's (10) second goal of the game. The Beacons once again found a way to tie the game up. In the third period, in perhaps the strangest goal scored against the K-Wings this season, Barry McKinlay (6) in his team's own zone flipped it high down the ice; the puck would bounce in front of the K-Wings net and beat goaltender Brock McGillis to tie the game at 2-2. The game eventually headed into a shootout, where Port Huron's Benoit Genesse was the only player on either team to score, which game the Beacons a 3-2 victory over Kalamazoo.

Fast Forward
The K-Wings are getting set for the toughest week in their schedule, as Kalamazoo will play five games in six nights. Kalamazoo's week will start tonight (2/24), as they host the Muskegon Fury at Wings Stadium. The K-Wings and the Fury will face-off twice this week, with a second match-up occurring Saturday (2/28) in Muskegon. On the season, the K-Wings are 1-4-1 against the top offensive team in the UHL. The Fury are in second place in the Western Conference and are just four points behind the Fort Wayne Komets, who are in first place.

On Wednesday (2/25), the K-Wings will head on the road to battle the Rockford IceHogs. Rockford starts the week in fifth place in the Western Conference and are chasing Kalamazoo by 15 points for fourth place. Wednesday's encounter will be the 10th of 13 between the teams. So far this year, the K-Wings are 5-3-2 against the IceHogs.

Fast Forward Continued
Kalamazoo continues the week on Friday, when they travel to St. Charles, Missouri to play the Missouri River Otters. The K-Wings are 3-0-1 against the River Otters this year; however, Kalamazoo will be looking to avenge a 4-3 shootout loss at Wings Stadium earlier this month.

After traveling to Muskegon on Saturday, the K-Wings will continue the week on Sunday (2/29), when they travel to Fort Wayne to play the Komets. Fort Wayne starts the week with a record of 36-13-4, which is the best record in the UHL. On the season, the K-Wings are 4-3-0 against the defending Colonial Cup Champions.

Bootland Returns
K-Wings forward Nick Bootland is set to return to K-Wings lineup tonight, as the K-Wings host the Muskegon Fury. Bootland, who was called-up to the Cleveland Barons (AHL) was reassigned to Kalamazoo on Sunday, but had to serve his one game suspension by the UHL for his actions during the K-Wings game on February 13th at Fort Wayne.

Up to Four
With two goals on Sunday, K-Wings defenseman Daniel Carriere has extended his scoring streak to four games. The four game streak is the longest current point streak on the K-Wings roster.

Adding Up
With a Plus/Minus rating of +19, K-Wings defenseman Guy Dupuis leads the Kalamazoo Wings. The +19, also place Dupuis fifth in the UHL.

Tough Week
The K-Wings start their toughest week of the year tonight. Kalamazoo will play five games in the next six days, including four straight on the road.

The Obscure Stat of the Week
With Steve Doherty's first shift last Wednesday, he became half of the first, first-second generation family members in K-Wings History. His father Stephen Doherty worked in the K-Wings front office for 22 years.

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 all K-Wing home games are on sale by calling the K-Wings at (269) 345-5101.

Get on Line
This season the best way 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.

McGillis on the Radio
Join special guests Brock McGillis and K-Wings Legend Brian McDavid as they join Head Coach Mark Reeds, the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno, and WQSN Sports Director Ryan Maguire next Monday on "K-Wings Live". The show is on The Sports Station 1600 AM WQSN Monday's from 6-7PM live from The 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 the drop of the puck. For the most complete coverage of the K-Wings from the Opening Face-Off to the Final Buzzer keep your radio tuned to the K-Wings Radio Network this season.

Upcoming Games
Tuesday, February 24th Vs Muskegon 7:00 PM (WKFR Mardi Gras/College and Classic
Ticket Night)
Wednesday, February 25th @ Rockford 7:05 PM (CST)
Friday, February 27th @ Missouri 7:30 PM (CST)
Saturday, February 28th @ Muskegon 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 29th @ Fort Wayne 5:05 PM
Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 24, 2004


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