ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on November 30, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Wednesday, November 25th @ Cincinnati (Cincinnati 4-Kalamazoo1)

Cincinnati, OH- Dropping in a hole early, the Kalamazoo Wings lost their first regulation road contest of the season falling to the Cincinnati Cyclones 4-1.

Not wasting any time, Cincinnati jumped out ahead of Kalamazoo with two first period goals. Dustin Sproat (8th) lifted a wrister over the shoulder of Jeremy Duchesne 6:03 in the period.

The Cyclones extended their lead two and a half minutes later, when Scott Reynolds (6th) scored on a power-play breakaway.

Midway in the second period and while on a power-play, Kalamazoo's Ben Simon (2nd) cut the deficit in half, snipping a wrist shot past Jeremy Smith.

Cincinnati reclaimed their two-goal cushion late in the period with a goal from Mike McLean (4th).

Any chance of the K-Wings comeback would be put on ice 13:30 into the third period, when Brett Robinson (1st) knocked in his own rebound to give the Cyclones a three-goal lead.

Friday, November 27th @ Cincinnati (Cincinnati 6-Kalamazoo 5)

Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones score the lone goal in the third period to hang on to defeat the Kalamazoo Wings 6-5 at the U.S. Bank Arena.

The opening 20 minutes was a tale of two periods. Kalamazoo soared early registering the contests first two goals.

Tipping in a rebound, Travis Granbois recorded his first goal as a K-Wing 2:08 into the contest to give the K-Wings the 1-0 lead.

Capitalizing on their lone power-play of the period, Ben Simon found Jeff Mason (2nd) open on a backdoor pass, which Mason deflected past goaltender Robert Mayer. The assist by Simon extends the forwards point-streak to four games.

Mason's goal seemed to be a wake-up call for Cincinnati, as the Cyclones rallied for three unanswered goals.

Just 12 seconds after Kalamazoo's second goal of the night, Cincinnati cut the lead in half with a tally from Dustin Sproat (9th).

Keeping up the pressure, the Cyclones tied the game 34 seconds later, at the 7:13 mark of the period, when Barrett Ehgoetz (6th) punched in a K-Wings turnover.

Earning their first lead of the evening late in the frame, Brett Robinson earned his second goal of the season, both against the K-Wings, redirecting a Matt Pierce right-point slap shot.

The scoring frenzy continued into the second period, as the K-Wings forged ahead with three unanswered goals.

Darryl Lloyd (7th), who already had two assist in the first period, scored on a breakaway 1:39 into the stanza to pull the K-Wings even at 3-3.

Kalamazoo reclaimed the lead three minutes later, when Lloyd sent a perfect pass to Sam Ftorek (3rd), who redirected the puck for a shorthanded goal. The assist gave Lloyd a K-Wings season high for assist (3) and points (4) in a game.

Special team continued to guide the K-Wings later in the stanza, this time a power-play goal from Rick Cleaver (9th). The tally from Cleaver ties him for the team-lead in goals with Mathieu Curedeau.

Just like the opening period, Cincinnati would not be held down. Mike McLean (5th) breakaway tally brought the Cyclones back to within a single-goal and later in the period, Jason Jozsa (1st) registered the equalizer on a shorthander.

Cincinnati gained the lead for good midway in the third period with a goal from Scott Reynolds (7th), who now has seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in four games against Kalamazoo.

The loss extended the K-Wings losing streak to a season-high three games.

Saturday, November 28th Vs Florida (Kalamazoo 7-Florida 6-Shootout)

Kalamazoo, MI- The Florida Everblades erased a five-goal deficit, but the comeback came up short, as Ryan Nie stiffened all nine Everblades shootout shooters given the Kalamazoo Wings a thrilling 7-6 shootout victory.

Bryan Jurynec (1st) set the tone for the contest deflecting a Mitch Versteeg slap shot 9:31 into the contest to give the K-Wings a 1-0 lead.

Kalamazoo's Ben Simon kept the scoring going for Kalamazoo three minutes later knocking in his third goal of the season and in the process extended his point streak to four games.

The K-Wings finished off the period chiming in with two more goals from Tom Morrow (2nd) and Sal Peralta (3rd). The tally from Morrow would result in a goaltender change for Florida, as starter Chris Beckford-Tseu got the hooked after surrendering three goals on 17 shots in 15:14 between the pipes.

Enjoying their largest lead of the contest, Andrew Fournier, who already had two assists in the opening period, registered his fifth goal of the season while on the power-play, extending the K-Wings lead to 5-0.

Battling back, Florida started to rally in the second registering goals from Harrison Reed (3rd) and Colin Nicholson (2nd). Reed, who finished the contest with three points (2 goals, 1 assists), has exploded for eight points in three games with the Everblades.

Registering a K-Wings' season-high fourth-point of the night, Fournier (6th) recorded his second power-play marker with 51 seconds remaining in the period to lengthen the K-Wings advantage to 6-2.

Reed's (4th) second goal of the night and a game-tying goal with 2 seconds remaining from Ross Carlson (4th) were all a part of a remarkable four unanswered goal comeback from Florida.

Since joining the Everblades from the American Hockey League's Albany River Rats, Reed has scorched the competition for eight points (4 goals, 4 assists). Carlson's overtime forcing goal was his second marker of the period.

With neither team scoring in the five-minute extra session, the contest headed into a shootout. Brian McGuirk registered the lone lamp-lighter of the nine-man extra session giving the K-Wings the victory.

The win snaps Kalamazoo's season-high three-game losing streak, while earning a shootout point extended Florida's regulation unbeaten streak to four games and places them in second place in the South Division.

Nie finished the game with 43 saves and in the process raised his record to 6-0-1-0. In relief, Barry Brust played 43:50 and turned aside 18 shots for the shootout loss to drop his record to 2-1-0-1.

Sunday, November 29th Vs Florida (Florida 5-Kalamazoo 2)

Kalamazoo, MI- Showing no ill-effects from a shootout loss the night before, the Florida Everblades avenged their loss to Kalamazoo by defeating the K-Wings 5-2.

Dominating the action, Florida pounced on the K-Wings scoring three times in the first period.

Fresh off of an AHL call-up with the Albany River Rats, Jacob Miflikier (9th) continued his scoring supremacy recording his team-leading 28th point of the season.

Once second after a K-Wings penalty expired, the Everblades upped their lead 6:32 into the period with a left-circle wrist shot from Kevin Baker (3rd), which extended the forwards goal and point streak to three games.

Florida would capitalize on the power-play late in the period with a tally from Ross Carlson (6th). Carlson goal gives him six goals and eight points in his last seven contests.

A penalty-filled second period gave both teams opportunities on the power-play. Kalamazoo went 0-for-9 with a man-advantage, while Florida went 1-for-2. Harrison Reed (5th) lengthened the Everblades lead to 4-0 scoring on a 4-on-3 man-advantage. Since joining the Florida from Albany four games ago, Reed has amassed 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists).

Reed (6th) gave the Everblades a 5-0 lead early in the third tacking on his second goal of the night.

Breaking up the shutout, Andrew Fournier (7th) scored on a wrap around. Fournier has now produced 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in his last seven games. Assisting on the goal was Ben Simon, who extended his point streak to six games.

Making the most of his season debut, Tommy Lange (5th), who signed with the K-Wings earlier in the day, deflected a Ryan McGinnis shot to close out the scoring.

Fast Forward

Kalamazoo will begin the month of December with their final three road games of 2009. The K-Wings will begin the swing on this Wednesday, December 2nd with a 7:30 p.m. face-off against the Cincinnati Cyclones. With 25 points, the K-Wings are in the first place in the North Division and are four points ahead of Cincinnati, who are in second. On the season, Kalamazoo is 2-2-0-0 versus Cincinnati, with the home team winning each contest.

The K-Wings will finish out the week with a pair of games this Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th at the Lucas County Arena against the Toledo Walleye. Kalamazoo is 0-1-1-0 versus Toledo and lost 5-4 in overtime in their lonely other appearance at the Lucas County Arena. Currently on the three-game winless streak, Toledo starts the week with 18 points and in the third place in North Division.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Rick Cleaver, Mathieu Curadeau (9 Goals)

Assists: Rick Cleaver (12 Assists)

Points: Rick Cleaver (21 Points)

+/-: Darryl Lloyd (+10)

Penalty Minutes: Bryan Jurynec (53 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Rick Cleaver (4 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Trent Daavettila, Andrew Fournier, Sam Ftorek (1 Goal)

Game Winning Goals: Mathieu Curadeau (3 GW)

Shots: Rick Cleaver (59 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Tommy Lange (25.0%)

Overtime Goals: Mathieu Curadeau (1 Goal)

Shootout Goals: Five Players (1 Goal)

Shootout Percentage: Mathieu Curadeau, Matt Jones, Brian McGuirk (100%)

Goals Against Average: Ryan Nie (2.70)

Save Percentage: Ryan Nie (0.919)

On the Road Again

Kalamazoo will start the month of December with three straight road games. The trio of road tilts will be the last three road games in 2009 for the K-Wings.

Six Pack

With two assists on Sunday, forward Ben Simon extended his point streak to six-games. Simon has racked up eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) during the current run.

Snapping a Streak

Kalamazoo will head into the U.S. Bank Arena on Wednesday looking to snap a season-high two-game road losing streak. Both of the previous losses also occurred at the U.S. Bank Arena against the Cyclones.

Nearing a Milestone

Forward Olivier Legault is closing in on a personal milestone. Legault's next game will be the 100th in his pro career.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Last Saturday, the K-Wings surrendered a season-high tying 49 shots on net in a 7-6 shootout victory over the Florida Everblades. On the season, Kalamazoo is a perfect 3-0-0-0 when allowing 49 shots in a game.

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.

McGuirk and Morrow on the Radio

Join special guests Brian McGuirk and Tom Morrow tonight 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

Wednesday, December 2nd @ Cincinnati 7:30 PM

Friday, December 4th @ Toledo 7:00 PM

Saturday, December 5th @ Toledo 7:00 PM

Wednesday, December 9th Vs Reading 7:00 PM ($3 Ticket Night)

Friday, December 11th Vs Toledo 7:30 PM (B-93 Night)

Saturday, December 12th Vs Wheeling 7:30 PM (10th Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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ECHL Stories from November 30, 2009


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