ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on October 11, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Friday, October 7th Vs Toledo (Kalamazoo 0-Toledo 5-Preseason)

Kalamazoo, MI- Starting the preseason, the Kalamazoo Wings lost 5-0 to the Toledo Walleye Friday night at Wings Stadium.

The first period of the preseason debut for the K-Wings was filled with physical play as the teams combined for 19 hits in the first. Toledo would be the first and only team to strike in the opening period. Bryan Rufenach notched his first tally of the preseason when he jammed the puck past Kalamazoo rookie goaltender, Ryan Carroll. Carroll, a Harvard graduate, was making his first professional start.

Toledo extended their lead in the second period with a tally from Kevin Harvey (1st). Harvey, who had an assist in the opening period, deflected a Harrison Reed wrist shot past Carroll 2:21 into the period.

Midway into the period, Kalamazoo would do the customary preseason switch of goaltenders bringing in Jared DeMichiel at the 8:11 mark of the stanza. Carroll finished the night allowing 2 goals on 13 shots playing 32:49.

To finish out the period, DeMichiel stopped both shots he faced.

While the transition into the game for DeMichiel went smooth, the start of the third period didn't go as well. Toledo started the final stanza striking three times in a span of 1:37, including the final two goals in 16 seconds.

Dave Gilbert (1st) struck 1:44 into the period on a wrister from the slot. Moments later, Andrei Nestrasil pushed in a rebound past DeMichiel for his first and to extend the Walleye lead to 4-0.

Toledo closed out the scoring 16 seconds later with a blue line slap shot from Kyle Page (1st).

The Walleye had a great opportunity to add a sixth goal on the scoreboard late in the game with a penalty shot from Paul Zanette. Zanette skated in but lost control of the puck before and never got off his shot.

DeMichiel finished the nights stopping nine shots, while Toledo's Carter Hutton was the star of the game saving all 39 shots he faced.

Kalamazoo couldn't capitalize on the power-play, going 0-for-10 with the man-advantage, while Toledo was just as ineffective going 0-for-3 on the night.

Saturday, October 8th @ Toledo (Kalamazoo 1-Toledo 3-Preseason)

Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings concluded their preseason schedule on Saturday night at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio with a 3-1 loss to the Toledo Walleye.

Despite outshooting the Walleye 12-6 in the opening 20 minutes, it was the K-Wings that found themselves trailing after the first period. A turnover in the neutral zone for Kalamazoo became costly, as Nick Oslund (1st) snuck around the defense and scored on a breakaway 16:55 into the period.

Snapping an 82:05 preseason scoring drought, Patrick Asselin (1st) scored the K-Wings first goal of the season scoring on the power-play to begin the second period.

Jumping back ahead later in the period, Toledo scored twice in a span of 1:14 to lead 3-1. Michael Pelech (1st) gave the Walleye the lead with a backhander 8:43 into the period; moments later, Kyle Page ripped a slap shot from the slot for his second of the preseason.

After the goal from Page, which occurred at 10:03 into period, the K-Wings replaced starting goaltender Jared DeMichiel for Riley Gill. DeMichiel finished the game playing 29:57 allowing three goals on 11 shots.

K-Wings stated prior to their last preseason contest that Gill would play half of the game. Gill, who was making his first appearance of the preseason, made seven saves to conclude the stanza.

Either team was able to score in the third period. Gill finished the game with 15 saves and no goals allowed in just over 30 minutes of action, while Toledo's Thomas McCollum played the entire game allowing one goal on 30 shots to record the victory.

Fast Forward

The K-Wings will begin the 2011-12 season this Saturday, October 15th versus the Cincinnati Cyclones with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Wings Stadium.

The K-Wings will host a FREE (no game ticket needed) indoor pregame and postgame tailgate party with live music from Drop 35. Prior to face-off, the K-Wings will also raise their 2010-11 North Division and Eastern Conference Championship banners.

Last season, the K-Wings were 9-4-1-1 versus the Cyclones.

Solid Core

The K-Wings are bringing back a solid core from last year's Eastern Conference Championship team. In total 10 players from this year's roster were a part of last year's championship squad.

Octoberfest

Since joining the ECHL last season, the K-Wings have thrived in games played in October. Over the last two seasons, the K-Wings are 9-4-0-1 in games played in October.

Devils Send Two More

On Monday, the New Jersey Devils reassigned Joe Sova and Harry Young to Kalamazoo. After finishing his collegiate career at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Sova concluded last season with the Albany Devils, while Young also played his rookie season in Albany.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Saturday's regular season opener will mark just the second-time in the K-Wings' 38-year history that they will open the season at Wings Stadium. The previous time that the K-Wings opened up the season at home was during the 1979-80 season, when Kalamazoo, who was in the IHL, defeated the Milwaukee Admirals 7-3 en route to capturing the organization's first championship.

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 the team's brand new website at www.kwings.com . The site has player profiles, video on your hometown team, and much, much more.

O'Neill and Taylor on the Radio

Join special guests Wes O'Neill and Justin Taylor as they join Head Coach Nick Bootland and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno this Monday on "K-Wings Live". 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.

K-Wings on Radio

Catch all the K-Wings games, home and away, on the K-Wings Radio Network (95.9 FM WLKM & 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

Saturday, October 15th Vs Cincinnati 7:30 PM (Opening Night, Featuring a Free Pre and Post Game Tailgate Party in the Annex)

Friday, October 21st Vs Toledo 7:30 PM (Frugal Fan Friday, Texas Road House Country Night, Presented by WNWN)

Saturday, October 22nd @ Chicago 7:30 PM (CST)

Friday, October 28th @ Chicago 7:30 PM (CST)

Saturday, October 29th Vs Cincinnati 7:30 PM (8th Annual Orange Ice Game Presented by CW7 and WKFR)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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ECHL Stories from October 11, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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