ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on November 10, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Wednesday, November 4th @ Toledo (Toledo 5-Kalamazoo 4-Overtime)

Toledo, OH- Needing extra time, the Toledo Walleye defeated Kalamazoo 5-4 to sweep a home-and-home series Wednesday afternoon during an School Celebration Day contest at the Lucas County Arena.

Kalamazoo proved to reading for the early start, as the K-Wings pounced scoring twice in the first five minutes.

In his first game and on his first shift as a K-Wing, Sal Peralta registered his first pro goal tipping in a rebound 1:04 into the game.

Extending their lead to 2-0 three minutes later, Mathieu Curadeau (5th) snipped a blast from the high-slot past goaltender Alec Richards.

Reassigned to Toledo earlier in the morning, Jonathan Carlson made his presence felt later in the period knocking in a rebound to record his first pro goal.

Kalamazoo reclaimed a two-goal advantage at the 14:13 mark of the first, when Jeff Mason registered his first goal of the season on a Sam Ftorek rebound.

The assist by Ftorek extends his point-streak to four-games.

Led by Maxime Tanguay, the Walleye pulled even scoring two unanswered in the second period. Tanguay earned assist on Portage native, Evan Rankin (3rd) and on a power-goal from Adam Hobson (3rd).

Gaining their first lead of the afternoon later in the stanza, Dominic Osman (4th) struck on the power-play to give Toledo a 4-3 advantage.

The league-leaders on power-play goals, Toledo have now scored nine man-advantage tallies in their last three games, including seven against Kalamazoo.

In the third, Kalamazoo's Trent Daavettila continued his scoring brilliance recording his team-leading 6th goal of the season. Daavettila has now recorded a goal in an ECHL season-high tying four-straight games.

Earning their second straight win against the K-Wings, Rankin capped off a three-point afternoon (2 goals, assist) by lifting a wrist shot over Ryan Nie 2:28 into overtime.

Saturday, November 7th (Kalamazoo 5-Gwinnett 4)

Gwinnett, GA- Despite being out shot 49-39 for the contest, the real story for the Kalamazoo Wings was their special teams, which generated two power-play goals and added a shorthanded tally to defeat the Gwinnett Gladiators 5-4.

Using an unconventional method the K-Wings registered on the scoreboard 11:23 into the contest. Killing off a penalty, Andrew Fournier was hooked on a breakaway, which led to a penalty shot. In the ensuing penalty shot, Fournier (3rd) scored on a deke. The goal was the K-Wings first shorthanded goal of the season and their second penalty-shot tally.

Rallying later in the period, Gwinnett's Sam Roberts (2nd) and Scott Mifsud (6th) scored two minutes apart to give the Gladiators a 2-1 lead.

Kalamazoo pulled even 20 seconds after Mifsud gave Gwinnett their first lead of the night with a tally from Rick Cleaver.

Already scoring shorthanded, the K-Wings power-play regained the lead for Kalamazoo. Tom Morrow's (1st) blast from the point 4:57 into the second gave the K-Wings a 3-2 advantage. Assisting on the goal was Sam Ftorek, who extended his point streak to five games with the helper.

For the second time in the contest, Gwinnett forced a tie game. Scott Marchesi's centering pass deflected right to the blade of Pat Galivan (4th) who sent a slap shot past Kalamazoo's Julien Ellis.

Keeping momentum on their side, Gwinnett reclaimed a single-goal lead 6:06 into the third period with Mifsud's (7th) second of the night.

Minutes after the K-Wings fell behind; Kalamazoo would take advantage of a 5-on-3 power-play with a goal from Cleaver, his second of the evening and his team-leading 7th of the year.

Assisting on Cleaver's goal was Trent Daavettila, who now has registered a point in five straight games.

The pendulum continued to swing towards Kalamazoo midway in the stanza, when a Drew Parris turnover deep in the Gladiators' zone led to the eventual game-winner from Mathieu Curadeau (6th). Curadeau now leads the K-Wings in game-winning goals with three.

Sunday, November 8th (Kalamazoo 5-Charlotte 4)

Charlotte, NC- The Kalamazoo Wings hold off a late charge from the Charlotte to defeat the Checkers 5-4, to extend their road unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1-0).

Spending a majority of the first period in the K-Wings zone, the Checkers struck 4:22 into the contest, with slap shot blast from Julien Brouillette (2nd).

Coming off a two-goal power-play performance the night before, the K-Wings man-advantage unit continued to find the net on their lone opportunity in the period. Trent Daavettila redirected a Brian McGuirk midway into the stanza to tie the game at 1-1.

The goal was Daavettila's team-tying seventh of the season and extended his point streak to a K-Wings' season-high tying six games. Also lengthening his point streak to six games was Sam Ftorek, who received a secondary assist on the equalizer.

Receiving breathing room with two goals 47 seconds apart in the second period the K-Wings took their first lead of the afternoon with a tally from Rick Cleaver. The goal was Cleaver's team-leading eighth of the season and part of a game-high three point day.

Kalamazoo extended their lead moments later when a right point blast from Mitch Versteeg was redirected by Bryan Jurynec (1st).

Putting the game out of reach midway in the period, Kalamazoo upped their lead to three goals on Mathieu Curadeau's seventh goal of the campaign. The goal gives Curadeau points in four straight games.

The marker also caused a change in net for the Checkers, as Billy Sauer was replaced for Miika Wiikman after allowing four goals on 11 shots, including three goals on three shots in the period.

Early in the third period, Darryl Lloyd (5th) extended the K-Wings lead to 5-1.

Charlotte rallied back with a pair of goals from Matt Schepke (3rd) and Chris Chappell (1st).

Keeping their comeback hopes alive, Kenny Roche rung up his first goal of the season on the power-play, but it wouldn't be enough as Kalamazoo hung on for the one-goal victory despite being out shot 49-22.

Fast Forward

After three-straight on the road, the K-Wings will commence a four-game home stand this Friday, November 13th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Cincinnati Cyclones. Friday's contest is also the first Frugal Fan Friday of the season, which features $1 hot dogs and $1 beers. Kalamazoo starts the week in first place in both the North Division and the American Conference, while Cincinnati is in third place in the North. The Cyclones, who are the ECHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens and the Nashville Predators, finished in first place last season in the North Division and won the Kelly Cup two seasons ago.

On Saturday, November 14th, Kalamazoo and Cincinnati will battle again at Wings Stadium with a 7:30 p.m. face-off. Saturday's game will also feature an appearance from the ZOOperstars!. For more information on the ZOOperstars!, visit their site www.zooperstars.com .

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Rick Cleaver (8 Goals)

Assists: Rick Cleaver, Sam Ftorek (9 Assists)

Points: Rick Cleaver (17 Points)

+/-: Anton Kharin (+9)

Penalty Minutes: Darryl Bootland, Bryan Jurynec (29 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Rick Cleaver (3 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Andrew Fournier (1 Goal)

Game Winning Goals: Mathieu Curadeau (3 GW)

Shots: Rick Cleaver (38 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Trent Daavettila (24.1%)

Overtime Goals: Mathieu Curadeau (1 Goal)

Shootout Goals: Rick Cleaver, Matt Jones (1 Goal)

Shootout Percentage: Rick Cleaver, Matt Jones (100%)

Goals Against Average: Ryan Nie (2.21)

Save Percentage: Ryan Nie (0.926)

Six Pack

K-Wings' forward Trent Daavettila and captain Sam Ftorek enter the week each on a six-game point streaks. Daavettila has earned 9 points (6 goals, 3 assists) during the streak, while Ftorek has rung up 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) in his last six games.

Home Sweet Home

After three straight road contests, Kalamazoo will return to Wings Stadium to commence a four-game home stand. On the season, the K-Wings are 2-1-0-0 at home.

Out Shot

Despite being out shot 98-61 in two games this weekend, the K-Wings won both of their contests. Kalamazoo is now 2-1-0-0 when their opponent registers more shots.

Fantastic Start

With a record of 8-1-1-0 (17 points), the K-Wings are in first place in the North Division. Besides leading the North, Kalamazoo is also leads the entire American Conference.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Last week was a busy week for members of the K-Wings. Kalamazoo had five players called up in a span of five days.

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 ECHL 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.

Duchesne and Jurynec on the Radio

Join special guests Jeremy Duchesne and Bryan Jurynec this Monday 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 72 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

Friday, November 13th Vs Cincinnati 7:30 PM (Frugal Fan Friday)

Saturday, November 14th Vs Cincinnati 7:30 PM (ZOOperstars! Perform)

Friday, November 20th Vs Trenton 7:30 PM (Frugal Fan Friday)

Sunday, November 22nd Vs Trenton 4:00 PM (Family Four Pack Day)

Wednesday, November 25th @ Cincinnati 7:30 PM

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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ECHL Stories from November 10, 2009


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