ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on October 17, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Saturday, October 15th Vs Cincinnati (Kalamazoo 3-Cincinnati 1)

Kalamazoo, MI- Playing their second season opener at home in their organization's 38-year history, with their last being in 1978, the Kalamazoo Wings defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones 3-1 Saturday night at Wings Stadium.

Celebrating last year's Eastern Conference Championship didn't distract the K-Wings in the opening period; in fact, it served as motivation. Outshooting Cincinnati 11-4, Kalamazoo earned the lone goal of the period at the 15:40 mark when Elgin Reid found Brandon Svendsen (1st) in the slot for quick wrister that lifted over the shoulder of Cyclone goaltender Chet Pickard.

Creating a turnover on a K-Wings power-play, the Cyclones were able to pull even with a shorthanded goal from Garrett Wilson (1st) 9:56 into the second period. Wilson capped off a two-on-one odd man rush with a quick move around Riley Gill after receiving a perfect pass from Wacey Rabbit.

Svendsen put the K-Wings ahead for good 5:15 into the third period with his second tally of the night, this time a quick rising shot that snuck under the crossbar.

With six seconds remaining, Kalamazoo capped off the scoring with an empty-net tally from Kory Karlander (1st).

Gill earned the victory in his season debut making 26 saves, while Pickard, who made 30 saves, received the loss.

Fast Forward

The K-Wings will conclude their brief two-game home stand this Friday, October 21st with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Wings Stadium versus the Toledo Walleye on Texas Road House Country Night, presented by 98.5 FM WNWN. Friday is also the first Frugal Fan Friday of the season, featuring $1 Beers and $1 Hot Dogs. Kalamazoo and Toledo met twice in the preseason, with the Walleye capturing both games. Toledo started the season last Saturday with a loss at the Huntington Center to the Chicago Express.

Kalamazoo will conclude the week with their first road test of the season, as the K-Wings travel to the Sears Center to battle the Chicago Express at 7:30 p.m. (CDT). Saturday will be the first home game in the Express' history. Chicago starts the week tied for first place in the North Division with Kalamazoo.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Brandon Svendsen (2 Goals)

Assists: Elgin Reid (2 Assists)

Points: Elgin Reid, Brandon Svendsen (2 Points)

+/-: Joe Charlebois, Trent Daavettila, Brandon Svendsen (+2)

Penalty Minutes: Wes O'Neill (5 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Game Winning Goals: Brandon Svendsen (1 GW)

Shots: Brandon Svendsen (6 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Kory Karlander (50%)

Overtime Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Shootout Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Shootout Percentage: Entire Team (0.0%)

Goals Against Average: Riley Gill (1.00)

Save Percentage: Riley Gill (0.963)

Another Hot Start

Last season, forward Brandon Svendsen started the year red hot, earning 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in the K-Wings first nine games. On Saturday, Svendsen once again began October on the high-note scoring twice in Kalamazoo's 3-1 victory over Cincinnati.

Staying Positive

A season ago, forward Trent Daavettila shared the league-lead in plus/minus with a plus-28. On Saturday, Daavettila was one of three (Joe Charlebois, Brandon Svendsen) that led the K-Wings in plus/minus with a game-high of plus-2.

Extended Stay

The K-Wings will conclude their brief two-game home stand this Friday versus the Toledo Walleye. While the home stand is only two games, it is the longest home stand to start a season in K-Wings history.

Good in Openers

Since joining the ECHL, the K-Wings have been great on opening night. Kalamazoo is 3-0-0-0 in their ECHL season opening games, outscoring their opponents 14-3 in those games.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

This Saturday the K-Wings will serve as the first opponent for the Chicago Express' first home game at the Sears Center. Back in 2006, when Kalamazoo was in the United Hockey League, they were the first team to play Chicago Hounds also at the Sears Center.

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 6-7 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

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 (CDT)

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

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

Friday, November 4th @ Wheeling 7:35 PM

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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ECHL Stories from October 17, 2011


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