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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

February 9, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind Wednesday, February 4th @ Port Huron (Port Huron 5, Kalamazoo 2)

Port Huron, MI - Led by three power-play goals, the Port Huron Icehawks defeated the Kalamazoo Wings 5-2 in the first half of a home-and-home series.

A fast moving first period came to a halt when a puck knocked into the net with a high-stick by a Port Huron player was called back as no goal. However, shortly after the no-goal, a costly turnover by the K-Wings gave Derek Patrosso (14th) a gaping net to beat goaltender Jason Tapp, putting the Icehawks on the board first.

With less than a minute remaining in the first period, a point shot by Jamie Lovell (11th) on the power-play increased Port Huron's lead to two. Moments later, defenseman Casey Handrahan saved a for-sure goal with just two seconds remaining when he tied up Jeff Zehr at the open goalmouth.

Just thirty-six seconds into the second period Tab Lardner netted his 19th goal of the season with a slapper from the left circle, making it 3-0 over the K-Wings. Rookie Rick Cleaver (14th) answered back a mere eleven seconds later with Kalamazoo's first goal of the night, pulling the K-Wings to within two.

Again, with under a minute remaining in the period, the Icehawks capitalized on a power-play goal from Lardner (20th), his second of the night.

The third-period was relatively uneventful until the half-way point when Tapp blanked Port Huron's Jeff Zehr to keep Kalamazoo within striking distance. Minutes later the K-Wings pulled back to within two when Rob Jarvis (9th) stuffed in a rebound past a sprawling Ryan Mior.

Icehawks' Lardner (21st) completed his hat-trick with a power-play and empty-net goal with just 15 seconds remaining, handing Kalamazoo a 5-2 defeat.

Friday, February 6th Vs Port Huron (Kalamazoo 4 -Port Huron 2)

Kalamazoo, MI - Two nights after the Port Huron Icehawks handed the Kalamazoo Wings their third straight loss, a stellar performance from goaltender Joel Martin helped the K-Wings turn the tables against the IHL's first-place club.

Behind Martin's 43 saves and a pair of tallies from Rick Cleaver, the K-Wings dropped the Icehawks 4-2 Friday night at Wings Stadium. Glenn Detulleo added a goal and an assist as Kalamazoo triumphed in regulation for the first time since January 3rd.

The first-place Icehawks grabbed an early 1-0 lead when Nick Lindberg's (18th) attempted goalmouth feed for Jamie Carroll caromed off a K-Wing and behind Martin at 6:13. That fluky goal marked another slow start for the K-Wings, who have now given up the first tally in 12 of their last 13 games.

But while one unfortunate trend continued, another was broken just more than three minutes later, as Kalamazoo punched home a first-period goal for the first time in four games. Rookie Cleaver (15th) did the honors, deflecting a Casey Handrahan point shot through the legs of Larry Sterling to tie the contest.

Moments later, Port Huron thought they had taken the lead back on a tip-in of their own, but Kris Vernarsky had to settle for nothing after referee Scott Hoberg ruled that he directed the puck into the Kalamazoo goal with a high stick.

At the 7:51 mark of the second, the K-Wings forward line of Cleaver, Anthony Battaglia and Tommy Lange cycled the Icehawks into submission. As the trio relayed the puck to one another, the Icehawks began to tire and left Cleaver (16th) open in the low slot, where he took a pass from Lange and backhanded it past a sprawling Sterling. With the tiebreaker, Cleaver moved past Lange into sole possession of the IHL goal-scoring lead among rookies.

Twenty-nine seconds later, Kalamazoo doubled its lead as Detulleo (16th) was able to guide a loose puck into the right side of the net as he fell to the ice. New K-Wing Justin DePretis made it happen by calmly shoveling the biscuit over to Detulleo amidst a forest of bodies.

The Icehawks turned up the intensity in the third frame, outshooting the K-Wings 19-8 in a frantic effort to force overtime. They finally got a second goal past Martin during a power play to put a scare into the home team and the Wings Stadium crowd. It was Jeff Zehr (17th) who did the damage with a timely redirect of a Tab Lardner wrister.

Port Huron would get no closer, though, and with Sterling off the ice for an extra attacker, Detulleo fed a wide open Battaglia (11th) and the former WMU Bronco walked it to the goal to remove all remaining suspense.

Sterling lost for the first time on the road since November 27th, Thanksgiving night, at Muskegon. He is now 0-3-0-0 against Kalamazoo this season.

Saturday, February 7th Vs Bloomington (Kalamazoo 2 -Bloomington 1-Shootout)

Kalamazoo, MI - The Bloomington PrairieThunder came into Saturday's game at Wings Stadium on a nine-game unbeaten streak, largely on the strength of four shootout victories.

Pardon the Kalamazoo Wings if they weren't impressed.

The K-Wings improved to 5-0 in the shootout and an incredible 9-0 in games that go past regulation by edging the white-hot PrairieThunder 2-1 in the first of three consecutive match-ups between the two teams.

Tommy Lange nailed the shootout winner in the fourth round and Glenn Detulleo picked up his second goal in two nights to pace Kalamazoo. Chris Trick earned his first point of the season, an assist, in his second game wearing the Wing.

Bloomington defenseman Nick Goyens (1st) tied the score at 2:05 of the third period to send the contest into overtime and the subsequent shootout. Goyens' first professional goal helped push the ‘Thunder past 60 minutes for the seventh time in their last 10 games.

The shootout also decided a classic goaltenders' duel that pitted Kalamazoo's Joel Martin against Bloomington's Jason Wolfe, who had won his first three decisions in the IHL. Anthony Battaglia snuck a low shot past Wolfe in the second round, then the ‘Thunder's John Nail forced an extra frame by sliding the puck under a diving Martin to set up Lange's heroics.

Martin finished with 37 saves, besting Wolfe's 29 and helping move Kalamazoo into a tie for third place with Muskegon, which lost 3-2 to Flint at L.C. Walker Arena.

The PrairieThunder have been outscored 54-36 in the first period this season, but they were the stronger team in the opening 20 minutes this time around. Riding the positive momentum of their five-game winning streak, the ‘Thunder controlled the puck for the majority of the period and outshot the K-Wings 10-8, but they couldn't dent Martin, who made a handful of splendid saves to start his night.

The first half of the second period would tick away without any scoring, but it wasn't because of a lack of scoring chances for either side, as both goalies looked impervious. Wolfe's net would bulge first, though, as Detulleo capitalized on a fortunate bounce to put Kalamazoo ahead 1-0.

Lucas Drake flipped a headman pass into the offensive zone, which caromed off a Bloomington leg and directly to a speeding Detulleo (17th), who took the puck in stride inside the right circle and deposited a strong wrister over Wolfe's glove at 10:49.

The ‘Thunder's Jan Jas had a great opportunity fall into his lap a few minutes later, as he was sprung on a breakaway just after stepping out of the penalty box. Jas broke in on Martin and deked to the backhand, but the K-Wings' netminder got his mitt up in time to pin it against the post and keep it out.

Each team squandered four power-play chances apiece, including an overtime four-on-three for Bloomington after Trick went off for hooking.

Sunday, February 8th @ Bloomington (Bloomington 6-Kalamazoo 4)

Bloomington, IL - Registering five unanswered goals, the Bloomington PrairieThunder avenged Saturday's loss to the Kalamazoo Wings and extended their franchise record unbeaten streak (8-0-0-3) to 11 games with a 6-4 victory Sunday at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

Moments after Bloomington's Marty Standish's apparent goal was disallowed because it was kicked in, Kalamazoo broke the scoring grid lock. Taking advantage of a Mark Frick turnover, recently acquired forward Justin DePretis (9th) stripped the puck off the defenseman's stick and strolled in to beat Ryan Ludzik on a backhander 5:28 into the period.

Trapping in the neutral zone late in the period, the PrairieThunder created an odd-man rush. Brent Clarke quickly sent the loose puck to the stick of defenseman Shaun Fisher (5th), who went up the right side of the attack zone and blasted a slap shot over the shoulder of Jason Tapp to tie the contest at 1-1.

Giving their fans a "Thunder" storm of offense, Bloomington erupted to score four times in the second period. Travis Granbois (12th) snuck around the K-Wings defense 3:31 in the second stanza to give the PrairieThunder the lead at 2-1.

Brett Holmberg (16th, 17th) netted his team's next two goals, including his first of the game, recorded 1:29 after Granbois' lamp-lighter.

Forward Jan Jas capitalized on a turnover by his former team, as Jas sent a perfect one-time pass to Henry Kuster (17th), who scored the eventual game-winner, extending the Thunder advantage to four goals at 5-1.

With less than a minute remaining in the period, Kalamazoo registered their second goal of the contest, this time a breakaway tally from Glenn Detulleo (18th). The goal from Detulleo extends the K-Wings captain goal streak to three games.

A carryover power-play chance into the third period proved to be beneficial for the K-Wings. Scoring on a rebound, Lucas Drake's (16th) power-play marker 30 seconds into the final period brought the K-Wings back to within two goals.

Bill Bagron (4th) put the game out of reach tickling the twine with a right circle slap shot 6:32 into the stanza.

Kalamazoo closed out the game's scoring with just under two minutes remaining with Mark Nebus' team-leading 22nd goal of the season.

Fast Forward

For the second straight week the K-Wings will play four games in five nights. Kalamazoo will commence the week on Wednesday, February 11th with a 7:11 p.m. face-off versus the Bloomington PrairieThunder. This is the third straight meeting between the teams. With a record of 4-6-0-0, Kalamazoo trails the season series against Bloomington, who are riding a franchise record 11-game unbeaten streak (8-0-0-3). Wednesday's encounter was originally scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd, but had to be moved to accommodate the Professional Bull Riding Kalamazoo Invitational that is coming to Wings Stadium on Saturday, February 21st and Sunday, February 22nd.

Winless on the road in three straight games, Kalamazoo will attempt the snap the streak this Friday, February 13th with a 8 p.m. face-off at Allen County Memorial Coliseum against the Fort Wayne Komets. Fort Wayne enters the week tied with Muskegon for second place in the league and are two points ahead Kalamazoo, who is in fourth.

There will be no love lost this Saturday, February 14th when the K-Wings host the Port Huron Icehawks during the 9th Annual Pink Ice Game, presented by WWMT, The CW 7 and WKFR. Kalamazoo is 5-3-0-0 on pink ice and is riding a five-game winning streak in the yearly classic. In eight meetings, the K-Wings are 4-4-0-0 versus the Icehawks, who currently boast the league's top record at 28-16-2-1.

For the second-time in the week arch-rivals will collide, as the K-Wings and Komets square off this Sunday, February 15th with a 4 p.m. showdown at Wings Stadium on K-Wings Kidz, Mascot and Scout Day, presented by WKFR. Kalamazoo is 6-3-0-0 against Fort Wayne and has won two of the three encounters at Wings Stadium. Sunday is also the second-to-last post-game skate with the players. After each Sunday contest, fans can skate with the K-Wings, skating is $5; skate rental if needed is $3.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Mark Nebus (22 Goals)

Assists: Glenn Detulleo (35 Assists)

Points: Glenn Detulleo (53 Points)

+/-: Rick Cleaver, Mark Nebus (+17)

Penalty Minutes: Bryan Jurynec (92 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Mark Nebus (5 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Anthony Battaglia, Glenn Detulleo (2 Goals)

Game Winning Goals: Glenn Detulleo (4 GW)

Shots: Mark Nebus (159 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Blair Manning, Tyler Willis (17.1%)

Overtime Goals: Glenn Detulleo, Lucas Drake, Rob Jarvis, Mark Nebus (1 Goal)

Shootout Goals: Anthony Battaglia (4 Goals)

Shootout Percentage: Justin Cross (100%)

Goals Against Average: Joel Martin (2.66)

Save Percentage: Joel Martin (0.923)

Closing in on the Century Mark

Defenseman Rod Aldoff is closing in on a personal milestone. Aldoff's next goal will be the 100th in his pro career.

Mark Your Calendars

Wednesday's contest versus the Bloomington PrairieThunder is the K-Wings' rescheduled contest originally slated for Sunday, February 22nd. The game was moved to Wednesday, February 11th to accommodate the Professional Bull Riding Kalamazoo Invitational coming to Wings Stadium Saturday, February 21st and Sunday, February 22nd.

Pretty in Pink

The K-Wings will host the Port Huron Icehawks this Saturday, February 14th during the 9th Annual Pink Ice Game, presented by WWMT, The CW 7 and WKFR. Kalamazoo is 5-3-0-0 in pink ice games and is riding a five-game winning streak on the yearly classic.

Snapping a Streak

Kalamazoo will be looking to snap a streak on Friday. The K-Wings, who have lost three straight away from Wings Stadium, will head to Allen County Memorial Coliseum where they are 4-2-0-0 on the season against the Komets.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Beating Bloomington last Saturday by the score of 2-1 marked just the second time this season that Kalamazoo has won scoring three or fewer goals in a game. On the season, Kalamazoo is 2-16-0-0 when being held to fewer than three goals and 25-3-0-0 when scoring three or more goals, with all three losses occurring against the PrairieThunder.

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 IHL 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.

Cleaver and Martin on the Radio

Join special guests Rick Cleaver and Joel Martin as they join Head Coach Nick Bootland and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno on "K-Wings Live". The show is on The Classic Hits Station WLKM (95.9 FM) and online through the B-2 Networks through www.kwings.com from 7-8 p.m. at Old Burdick's 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 (95.9 FM WLKM & B-2 Networks on kwings.com). Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 76 regular season games plus the playoffs. Pre-game coverage begins with the Kalsee Credit Union 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, February 11th Vs Bloomington 7:11 PM (Game Rescheduled from February 22nd)

Friday, February 13th @ Fort Wayne 8:00 PM

Saturday, February 14th Vs Port Huron 7:30 PM (9th Annual Pink Ice Game, Presented by WWMT, The CW 7 and WKFR)

Sunday, February 15th Vs Fort Wayne 4:00 PM (Kidz Club, Mascot and Scout Day, Presented by WKFR)

Friday, February 20th Vs Muskegon 7:30 PM (U.S. Army Night, Presented by WRKR)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics



International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 9, 2009


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