IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Week In Review

April 10, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


The K-Wings started off the week on Friday (4/7) at home against the Motor City Mechanics. Trailing Motor City 1-0 heading into the second period, Kalamazoo exploded with three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead. In the third period, the Mechanics cut the K-Wings lead to single-goal on two separate occasions; however, Kalamazoo forward Lucas Drake, as part of his three goal effort, countered the Mechanics attack with two goals in the period to lead the K-Wings past the Mechanics 5-3.

On Friday (4/8), the K-Wings finished off their abbreviated two-game home stand against the Port Huron Flags. From the opening face-off, the K-Wings functioned like a well-oiled machine and skated past the Flags 9-0. For the second straight night, the fans at Wings Stadium had an opportunity to throw their hats, as Kory Karlander netted three goals in the victory. Forward Tyler Willis, celebrated his birthday by recording this 300th career point, while Jeff Reynaert turned aside 20 shots to earn his second shutout of the season. The victory by Kalamazoo was the team's 26th home win of the year, which ties the franchise UHL record set during 2003-04 season.

Kalamazoo finished off the week on the road on Sunday (4/9) against the Motor City Mechanics. The meeting against Motor City was the second contest of the weekend between teams and the third in a span of seven days. The K-Wings jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, when Kory Karlander scored a power play goal off a deflection 2:56 into the game. The Mechanics would tie the game at 1-1 less than six minutes later with a goal from Tom Kotsopoulos. Neither team would score again in regulation forcing the game into a shootout. In the extra session, the K-Wings received goals from Damian Surma and Nick Bootland, while goaltender Joel Martin push away all four shots he faced to lead the K-Wings to a 2-1 shootout victory. The victory was Martin's 34th of the season, which ties the K-Wings UHL franchise record for most goaltender wins in a single season.

Fast Forward

The K-Wings will wrap up their regular season with three games this week. Kalamazoo starts the week on Wednesday (4/12) with a 7 p.m. home game against the Adirondack Frostbite. Wednesday's game against the Frostbite will be the regular season home-finale for Kalamazoo. On the season, the K-Wings are 2-0-0 against the Frostbite. Adirondack, who has already clinched a playoff birth, is in second place in the Eastern Division and is fifth overall in the league.

Kalamazoo will continue the week on Friday (4/14) on the road against the Missouri River Otters. The Otters start the week in fourth place in the Western Division. On the season, the K-Wings are 3-1-1 against the Otters; however they are 0-1-1 at The Family Arena.

The K-Wings' regular season finale will occur Saturday (4/15) against the Fort Wayne Komets at Allen County Memorial Coliseum. With a shootout loss on Sunday to Quad City, the Komets have clinched a postseason birth. The Komets start the week in second place in the Western Division and sixth overall in the UHL. On the season the K-Wings are 3-2-1 against their archrivals.

Record Breaking Performance

The K-Wings victory Sunday (4/9) against Motor City was a historic one for the franchise. The win established a franchise UHL record for most points in a single-season (107), as well as tied the franchise's UHL record for most victories in a season with 50, which was established last year. The K-Wings will look to break that record, along with their UHL franchise record for most home wins in a single season, when they play Adirondack this Wednesday. The K-Wings have won 26 home games this season, which ties their UHL best set during the 2003-04 season.

Finding a Way to Score

Forward Jason Deitsch is currently on a K-Wings' high 11-game point streak. Deitsch, who leads all UHL rookies in scoring with 83 points (36 goals, 47 assists), has recorded at least one-point in 31 of his last 32 games.

The 300 Club

Forward Nick Bootland is nearing a personal milestone. Bootland enters the week just two points shy of 300 for his career.

Home-Ice In the First Round

With their victory over Motor City on Sunday, the K-Wings have guaranteed themselves home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Kalamazoo starts the week tied for first-place in both the UHL and the Central Division.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

The K-Wings have suffered their fair share of injuries over the past couple of weeks. Yesterday in Motor City the K-Wings were missing seven players that have totaled 284 points this season.

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 are on sale now by calling the Wings Stadium Ticket Office 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, much more.

Willis and Virag on the Radio

Join special guests Tyler Willis and Dustin Virag as they join Head Coach Mark Reeds and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno on "K-Wings Live". The show is on Your Local Sports Leader AM 1660 WQSN Monday's from 6-7 PM at The Cabana Bar and Grill inside the Holiday Inn Kalamazoo on South 11th Street.

K-Wings on Radio

Catch all the K-Wings games home and away on the K-Wings Radio Network (WLKM 95.9 FM and Your Local Sports Leader AM 1660 WQSN). Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 76 regular season games plus the playoffs. Pre-game coverage begins with the Digital Highway 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.

Upcoming Games

Wednesday, April 12th Vs Adirondack 7:00 PM

Friday, April 14th @ Missouri 7:00 PM (CST)

Saturday, April 15th @ Fort Wayne 7:30 PM

-End of the Regular Season-

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics



International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 10, 2006


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