ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on March 28, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- Led by stellar goaltending from Brian Foster, the Cincinnati Cyclones escaped Wings Stadium with a 1-0 victory Wednesday morning at Wings Stadium on Education Day, presented by RxOptical, Bounceland, Edison Electric and Putter's Family Fun Center.

The early start provided plenty of energy and one goal in the opening period. Students representing 23 different school districts provided a lot of noise, but the cheers would turn to boos 17:16 into the first period, when Cincinnati's Scott Lehman (7th) capped off a two-on-one rush by tipping the puck past an out-stretched Ryan Nie.

The goal from Lehman proved to be the lone goal of the game.

Entering Wings Stadium leading the Eastern Conference for fewest shots allowed per game with 28.95, the Cyclones allowed an uncharacteristic 47 shots on net. Kalamazoo surrendered a season-low 17 shots.

Both teams struggled on the power-play, as the K-Wings went 0-for-6 with the man-advantage, including three chances in the third period, while the Cyclones went 0-for-4.

The shutout marked the third time this season that the K-Wings were held without a point.

Cincinnati goalie Brian Foster stole the show for the Cyclones making 47 saves to earn his second shutout of the season and in the process raising his record to 9-4-0-1.

The victory was Cincinnati's first (1-3-1-1) in six appearances at Wings Stadium this season.

Friday, March 25th @ Trenton (Kalamazoo 2-Trenton 3-Shootout)

Trenton, NJ- Inching closer to their second straight North Division title, the Kalamazoo Wings earned a crucial point in the standings despite a 3-2 shootout loss Friday night at the Sun National Bank Center against the Trenton Devils.

After stealing the puck deep in the Devils zone off of the stick of Jeff Prough, Mitch Versteeg (7th) was able to turn around and snip a wrister from the bottom of the left circle past Jeff Lerg 4:33 into the opening period to give the K-Wings the early lead.

Capitalizing on their lone power-play chance of the period, Trenton tied the game at 1-1 with a left circle snap shot from Dave Leaderer (6th) 11:14 into the opening stanza.

Neither team was able to light the lamp in the second period. In the third period, the Devils scored on their second power-play opportunity of the night. In similar fashion as the first, Ryan Hayes gave Trenton the 2-1 advantage with his 21st goal of the season 48 seconds into the period.

Snapping a drought for 0-for-14 on the power-play, which dated back since the second period of their game against Wheeling on March 20th, the K-Wings got off the man-advantage snide midway in the third period to tie the game at 2-2. With the puck loose in front of the Devils crease, Darryl Lloyd jammed in his 12th goal of the season with 9:04 remaining in regulation.

Remained in gridlock for the remainder of the third period and into overtime, the game would eventually be decided in a shootout. In the extra session, Trenton outscored Kalamazoo 2-1, with the K-Wings receiving their lone tally from Andrew Fournier.

The shootout loss ended the K-Wings season-high four-game road winning streak; however it also extended their season-high road unbeaten streak in regulation to 10 games (7-0-0-3).

Kalamazoo, which is now 1-6 in shootout games, earned a point in the shootout loss and coupled with a shootout loss by the Wheeling Nailers, cut their magic number to clinch the North Division title to three points.

Saturday, March 26th @ Elmira (Kalamazoo 6-Elmira 1)

Elmira, NY- The Kalamazoo Wings moved to within a single point of clinching their second division title in as many years with convincing 6-1 victory Saturday night at the First Arena against the Elmira Jackals.

Scoring in a fluky manner, Kory Karlander (32) shot was deflected into the air and landed past a discombobulated Marco Cousienau to give the K-Wings a 1-0 lead 6:55 into the contest.

Kalamazoo struck again 10 minutes later, when Andrew Fournier crashed the net and pushed in a Darryl Lloyd rebound to record his team-leading 37th goal and 10th game-winner of the season

Trying to mount a comeback in the second period, A.J. Perry (20th) got the Jackals on board scoring on a backhander 12:07 in the stanza.

Coming out with a purpose in the third period, Kalamazoo struck for four goals in the final 20 minutes. Five minutes into the period. Fournier (38th) responded for his second goal of the night on a wrap around power-play marker.

Less than three minutes later, the hopes of a Jackals comeback were dashed when Brady Leisenring extended the K-Wings lead to three goals with eighth goal of the season.

Trent Daavettila and Fournier each capped off three point nights late in the game, when Daavettila notched his 29th goal of the season 16:06 into the period. Daavettila finished the night with 1 goal and two assists, while Fournier, who has earned a point in 10 straight road games, had two goals and an assist.

Kalamazoo concluded their offensive explosion with a power-play marker from Justin Taylor with 2:25 remaining in the contest. Patrick Asselin and Karlander assisted on the goal. For Karlander, the helper was the 499th assist in his professional career.

Solid between the pipes, Ryan Nie recorded 31 saves to earn his 28th victory of the season, which matches his total victories from last season.

Sunday, March 27th @ Elmira (Kalamazoo 3-Elmira 2-Overtime)

Elmira, NY- Securing home ice in round one of the Kelly Cup playoffs, the Kalamazoo Wings clinched their second consecutive North Division title with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Elmira Jackals Sunday afternoon at the First Arena.

A penalty filled period for Elmira gave Kalamazoo four power-play chances, but neither team were able to score in the opening period. The K-Wings went 0-for-4 in the first period on the power-play, while the Jackals didn't get a man-advantage opportunity.

Goaltender Jared DeMichiel kept Elmira in the game in the opening 20 minutes stopping 14 shots, including eight saves on the power-play.

At the end of the period, Elmira's Chris Frank received a five-minute major for being an aggressor and a game-misconduct, which game the K-Wings a five-minute power-play to start the second period.

Taking full advantage of the power-play to start the period, the K-Wings struck twice in a span of 12 seconds on the Frank major. Steven Tarasuk (3rd) earned his first goal since December 18th with a slap shot from the slot 4:25 into the period. Assisting on the goal were Andrew Fournier and Trent Daavettila. With the assist, Fournier has recorded a point in 11 straight road games.

Off the ensuing face-off, Patrick Asselin (27th) stormed down ice and ripped a wrister past DeMichiel for his team-leading 12th power-play goal of the season. The 12 seconds between goals marks the fastest time that Kalamazoo has scored back-to-back goals. The previous best was 29 seconds against Toledo on opening night (10/22/10).

Cutting the deficit to one-goal early in the third period, Elmira's Ryan Hillier (4th) sent a centering pass off of Ryan Nie and into the net for a power-play tally 6:25 into the period.

Elmira had a chance to tie the contest 9:07 in the frame, when Sam Ftorek took down Yannick Tifu on a breakaway to setup a penalty shot. On the attempt, Nie kept the K-Wings in front after diving and poking the puck away from Tifu.

Squandering the chance to tie the game at 2-2 with the penalty shot, the Jackals didn't have to wait long for another opportunity to pull even. Less than three minutes later, Martin Moucha (2nd) snuck behind the K-Wings defense and scored the equalizer on a breakaway.

Remaining tied for the remainder of regulation, the game eventually would head into overtime. Not wasting any time in the extra session, Ftorek sent a crisp cross rink pass to the tape of Daavettila (30th), who blasted the game-winner past DeMichiel 29 seconds into overtime.

Fast Forward

Kalamazoo will conclude the regular season with three games this week starting this Wednesday, March 30th with the second of two Education Day games at Wings Stadium versus the Cincinnati Cyclones. Face-off this Wednesday is slated for 10:30 a.m. and the game is presented by RxOptical, Bounceland, Edison Electric and Putter's Family Fun Center. Cincinnati enters the week in third place in the North Division, two points behind the second place Wheeling Nailers and four points in front of the Toledo Walleye. Wednesday's game versus the Cyclones will be the first sellout of the season for the K-Wings.

On Friday, April 1st, the K-Wings and Cyclones will meet again with a 7:30 p.m. encounter at the U.S. Bank Arena. Friday's game will be the last regular season road game for the K-Wings.

Kalamazoo will return home Saturday, April 2nd to conclude the regular season versus the Elmira Jackals. The K-Wings and Jackals will square off on Saturday, March 26th at 7:35 p.m. Saturday's contest will be another Saturday "Celebrity" Series featuring members of Kalamazoo and Portage Fire and Police Department. During the game, Harold Zeigler Automotive Group will announce the winner of a FREE 24-month lease of a 2011 Honda Civic and Kalsee Credit Union will have their annual cash drop. After the game, the K-Wings will announce the fan-voted player awards and hold a jersey auction. On the season, Kalamazoo is 6-2-0-0 versus Elmira, who starts the week in second place in the Atlantic Division.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Andrew Fournier (38 Goals)

Assists: Trent Daavettila (48 Assists)

Points: Trent Daavettila (78 Points)

+/-: Trent Daavettila (+29)

Penalty Minutes: Darryl Lloyd (128 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Patrick Asselin (12 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Aaron Clarke (3 Goals)

Game Winning Goals: Andrew Fournier (10 GW)

Shots: Trent Daavettila (229 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Dean Strong (33.3%)

Overtime Goals: Five Players Tied (1 Goal)

Shootout Goals: Darryl Lloyd (2 Goals)

Shootout Percentage: Darryl Lloyd (40%)

Goals Against Average: Ryan Nie (2.75)

Save Percentage: Ryan Nie (0.916)

Northern Stars

The K-Wings clinched their second straight North Division title with a 3-2 overtime win Sunday against Elmira. The win ensures Kalamazoo home ice advantage in round one of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Road Tested

Kalamazoo enters the week on a 12-game road unbeaten streak (9-0-0-3). The 12-game unbeaten streak is a season-high for the K-Wings.

Nie is Winning!!

Goaltender Ryan Nie is tied for the league-lead in victories with 29. The 29 victories also ties a personal career-best for Nie, established during the 2007-08 season, when he played for the Johnstown Chiefs.

Road Warrior

Forward Andrew Fournier enters the week on 11-game road scoring streak. The 11-game streak is the longest current road scoring streak in the ECHL.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Forward Trent Daavettila leads the ECHL in plus/minus with +29. In fact, Daavettila's plus/minus is higher than his penalty minute total (22) for the season.

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 can be purchased 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.

Ftorek and Thelen on the Radio

Join special guests forward Sam Ftorek and defenseman A.J. Thelen as they join Head Coach Nick Bootland and the "Voice of the K-Wings", Mike Modugno this Monday on "K-Wings Live" presented by Miller Lite. The show is on The Classic Hits Station WLKM (95.9 FM) and online through www.kwings.com from 7-8 p.m. at Old Burdick's Wings West on Sports Drive.

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, March 30th Vs Cincinnati 10:30 AM (Education Day, Presented by RxOptical)

Friday, April 1st @ Cincinnati 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 2nd Vs Elmira 7:30 PM (Fan Appreciation Night featuring the Kalsee Credit Union Cash Drop and a Saturday "Celebrity" Series featuring members of the Portage and Kalamazoo Police and Fire Departments)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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ECHL Stories from March 28, 2011


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