IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Week in Review

Published on January 29, 2007 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


For only the third-time this month, Kalamazoo returned to Wings Stadium on Friday (1/26) to host the Elmira Jackals. The K-Wings exploded out of the gates scoring three first period goals, including a shorthanded tally from Kory Karlander (24), extending his league leading goal streak to 11 games. Elmira narrowed the gap early in the second with a rebound goal from Dale Lupal (11). Kalamazoo regained a three-goal cushion midway through the period with a power-play strike by Nick Bootland (24) tying the K-Wings' captain with Karlander for the team lead in goals scored. Bootland's mark proved to be the game-winner, tying him for two K-Wings records, most game-winners in a single season (6) and most in K-Wings' UHL history (11). Erupting for a season high five goals in the final period, including three from rookie Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn (5,6,7) to earn his first pro hat trick, the K-Wings demolished the Jackals 9-3. Elmira's lone goal in the final 20 minutes was a shorthanded tally from Frank Littlejohn (20). Versteeg-Lytwyn led all players in scoring with four points. The four-point night ties a K-Wings' season high for points in a game.

Looking for a weekend sweep, Kalamazoo faced-off in a repeat performance at Wings Stadium Saturday (1/27) versus Elmira. The Jackals reversed the fortunes of the K-Wings scoring three unanswered goals to commence the action, including a goal by Littlejohn (21), who upped his league leading shorthanded total to seven. Kalamazoo narrowed the deficit late in the opening period with a power-play tally from Bootland giving him the team lead in goals scored with 25. Jason Lawmaster brought the K-Wings to within a single digit at 3-2, by registering his first goal as a K-Wing and his fourth overall. Elmira regained their two-goal advantage in the waning moments of the second with a blue-line rocket by Lupul (12). Putting the game out of reach, Littlejohn (22) registered his second of the night to put the Jackals ahead 5-2. With goaltender Tom Askey pulled for the extra skater, Glenn Detulleo (8) deflected a Brown shot to bring the K-Wings to within two goals, but it wouldn't be enough as Elmira defeated Kalamazoo by the final of 5-3.

Fast Forward

Kalamazoo hits the ice for two games this weekend starting on Friday (2/2) as the K-Wings conclude a three-game homestand with a 7:30 p.m. face-off against the Rockford IceHogs. Rockford is in second place in the Western Conference. This sesaon, both teams have spilt the season series with Kalamazoo winning the last encounter 6-1 back on January 6th at the MetroCentre. The contest will be the first-time this year the teams have battled each other at Wings Stadium. Friday's game is Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change/RPM Oil Lube Night. Fans will have a chance to win great Pennzoil prizes including an oil change for an entire year.

On Saturday (2/3), the K-Wings will conclude the week with a 7:30 p.m. road test against the Fort Wayne Komets. Fort Wayne, who leads the Western Conference, leads Kalamazoo by just one-point for second place overall in the United Hockey League. Kalamazoo is 4-2-0 this season against their archrivals; however, Fort Wayne did skate away with a 4-1 victory in their last meeting on January 19th at Memorial Coliseum. Saturday's encounter will be the first of three between the squads over the next eight days.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Nick Bootland (25 Goals)

Assists: Glenn Detulleo (29 Assists)

Points: Kory Karlander (49 Points)

+/-: Joe Markusen, Scott Dobben (+11)

Penalty Minutes: Jason Lawmaster (106 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Kory Karlander (11 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Kory Karlander (4 Goals)

Game Winning Goals: Nick Bootland (6 GW)

Shots: Nick Bootland (213 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Justin Cross (15.9%)

Shootout Goals: Nick Bootland (5 Goals)

Shootout Percentage: Nick Bootland (83.3%)

Goals Against Average: Tom Askey (2.49)

Save Percentage: Ryan Nie (0.914)

Brown Bagging It

Production from the blue-line has been plentiful thanks to defenseman Jeff Brown. Brown, who racked up five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in two games last weekend versus Elmira, has recorded points in three of his last four games.

Finishing Strong

With 67 third period goals this season, the K-Wings are the most prolific scoring team in the league when it comes to the final 20 minutes of play. Kalamazoo has outscored their opponents 67-32 in the third this year; the scoring differential of +24 is the largest margin for the K-Wings.

Leading by Example

Captain Nick Bootland has been finding ways to help the K-Wings offensively. Starting the week on a K-Wings' current high four-game point streak. Bootland has posted seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) during the recent stretch.

Scoring in the Clutch

Last Friday, Bootland recorded the game-winning goal and in the process tied two K-Wings records. The game-winner tied Bootland for both the K-Wings' UHL franchise record for most in a single season (6) and most in a K-Wings UHL career (11).

The Obscure Stat of the Week

In the past, February has been favorable for the K-Wings. Kalamazoo is 56-32-9 during the shortest month of the year, including 31-14-8 at Wings Stadium. Seven of the K-Wings 13 games in February will be played at home.

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 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, photos, information about Wings Stadium events, and much much more. Fans of myspace can befriend the official site of Wings Stadium and the Kalamazoo Wings at www.myspace.com/wingsstadium.

Karlander and Lawmaster on the Radio

Come see special guests Kory Karlander and Jason Lawmaster, as they join Head Coach Mark Reeds and the Voice of the K-Wings, Mike Modugno on "K-Wings Live". The show is on Sports Radio AM 1660 Mondays from 6-7 PM at The Cabana Bar and Grille 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 Sports Radio AM 1660). 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

Friday, February 2nd Vs Rockford 7:30 PM (Pennzoil 10-Minute Oil Change/RPM Oil Lube Night Presented by WIN-98.5 FM)

Saturday, February 3rd @ Fort Wayne 7:30 PM

Wednesday, February 7th @ Chicago 7:30 PM (CST)

Friday, February 9th @ Fort Wayne 8:00 PM

Saturday, February 10th Vs Port Huron 7:30 PM (Trading Card Night Presented by Lake Pacor Home Mortgage, WRKR and WKFR)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 29, 2007


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