ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on November 1, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Friday, October 28th @ Chicago (Kalamazoo 3-Chicago 1)

Hoffman Estate, IL- Led by Riley Gill's 30 saves, the Kalamazoo Wings went on the road to Sears Centre and defeated the Chicago Express 3-1 and the in the process took sole possession of first place in the North Division.

Suffering from a slow start the last time the two teams met back on October 22nd, the K-Wings wouldn't have the same fate in the divisional rematch, as Patrick Asselin put the K-Wings ahead 6:44 into the opening period by notching his third goal of the season on a rebound.

Assisting on the goal were Trent Daavettila and Joe Charlebois. The assist was Daavettila's team-leading fifth of the season.

Extending their lead midway through the second period, Dean Strong, who was making his season-debut for Kalamazoo after starting the season in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves, sent an outlet pass up the right side of the neutral zone to Eric Kattelus. Kattelus, who brought the puck in the Express zone, stepped around a defenseman in the right circle and buried a wrister for his first goal of the season, 12:10 in the period.

Kalamazoo put the game out of reach in the third period, when Steven Anthony won a face-off fron, the left circle back to Joe Sova (2nd) to sent a slap shot past Rob Nolan early in the stanza.

Trying to mount a late comeback, Aaron Marvin (2nd) got the Express on the board with a goal 13:48 into the period, but it wouldn't be enough, as K-Wings earned their third win (3-1-0-0) of the season.

Saturday, October 29th Vs Cincinnati (Kalamazoo 6-Cincinnati 5)

Kalamazoo, MI- In a game that gave both teams fans plenty of tricks and treats, the Kalamazoo Wings used a four-goal second period effort and hung on to defeat the Cincinnati Cyclones 6-5 during the 8th Annual Orange Ice Game, presented by The CW7 and WKFR.

Getting out to quick starts has been a staple of this year's K-Wings team and for the fourth time in their five games this season, Kalamazoo jumped ahead of their opponents with a first period tally. Steven Anthony extended his point streak to three games scoring a wrister from between the circles 9:44 into the first period.

Cincinnati responded three minutes later, when Anthony Luciani (1st) jammed in a loose puck to the right of Riley Gill.

Keeping their relentless pressure in the opening 20 minutes, Kalamazoo was able to regain the lead with 32 seconds remaining in the period. After leaving a drop pass to Brandon Svendsen, Patrick Asselin cut to the net and redirected Svendsen's shot for Asselin's team-tying (Svendsen) fourth goal of the season.

The goal by Asselin also extended his point streak to a K-Wings' season-high four games.

The second period started just like the first ended, with a Kalamazoo strike. Steven Anthony (3rd) scored only 17 seconds in on a pass from Sam Ftorek and Dean Strong. The goal was Anthony's second of the night and third on the season.

The K-Wings extended the lead to three goals when Patrick Asselin (5th) banged home a rebound on the doorstep on a shot from Trent Daavettila. Daavettila blasted a shot from the point that found the left pad of Cincinnati goaltender Chet Pickard who was unable to control the loose puck.

Exactly three minutes later on the penalty-kill, Justin Taylor (2nd) scored a shorthanded goal. It was Kalamazoo's fifth goal of the night on a strong move to the net beating the sprawling net-minder. Karlander and Sam Ftorek added assists on the goal.

With time winding down in the second period, Darryl Bootland (2nd) slotted the fourth goal of the period for the K-Wings .Bootland took a rebound and with spinning authority, buried past the diving goaltender.

As good as the K-Wings were in the second, the Cyclones were even better in the third. Capitalizing on a five-minute major for slashing on Bootland, Cincinnati would score twice on that opportunity. Adam Comrie (2nd) started the scoring 5:37 with a shot from the left circle.

Two minutes later, Ben Ryan (2nd) kept the Cyclones hopes alive by knocking in a rebound 7:34 int the period.

The game would become too close for comfort after a pair of power-play goals from Mathieu Aubin (1st, 2nd) brought the Cyclones to within a single-goal but that would be as close as it would get as the K-Wings hang for the 6-5 victory.

Fast Forward

After finishing the week at home, Kalamazoo will head back on the road for a pair of games starting on Friday, November 4th at 7:35 p.m.,when the K-Wings travel to the WesBanco Arena to face the Wheeling Nailers in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals. The Nailers, who lead the Atlantic Division with a record of 5-0-0-0-0, are the last remaining undefeated team in the ECHL.

Kalamazoo will stay in the Atlantic Division on Saturday, November 5th with a 7:35 p.m. meeting at the First Arena against the Elmira Jackals. Elmira starts the week in third place in the Atlantic Division.

The K-Wings will return home this Saturday, November 6th with a 4 p.m. face-off versus the Chicago Express during Family Hockey Day in the 'ZOO, presented by Meijer, Charter Communications and the Kalamazoo Gazette. Sunday's game will also be Slappy's Birthday party featuring the Meijer Mobile Playground and a special performance by Kinetic Affect. During all Sunday game this season, all kids (12 and under) will eat FREE and the first 500 kids will receive a FREE giveaway. Chicago is in second place in the North Division, two points behind Kalamazoo. On the season, the K-Wings are 1-1-0-0 versus the Express, with all previous games occurring at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Patrick Asselin (5 Goals)

Assists: Trent Daavettila (7 Assists)

Points: Patrick Asselin, Trent Daavettila, Brandon Svendsen (7 Points) +/-: Joe Sova (+8)

Penalty Minutes: Darryl Bootland (45 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Brandon Svendsen (2 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Justin Taylor (1 Goal)

Game Winning Goals: Brandon Svendsen (2 GW)

Shots: Brandon Svendsen (18 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Patrick Asselin (35.7%)

Overtime Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Shootout Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Shootout Percentage: Entire Team (0.0%)

Goals Against Average: Riley Gill (2.60)

Save Percentage: Riley Gill (0.919)

Staying Positive

Defensemen Sam Ftorek and Joe Sova were in positive mood last Saturday. Both players established a league season-high for plus/minus in a game, by going plus-5 in the K-Wings 6-5 victory over Cincinnati.

On a Roll

Forward Patrick Asselin starts the week on a four-game point streak. Asselin, who leads the team with five goals, has rattled off seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) during the streak.

No Shave "Movember"

The K-Wings will be teaming with SportClips Haircuts for No Shave "Movember". Fans are encourage to join the K-Wings players in growing moustaches or beards in the month of November to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer.

Atlantic Bound

After playing their first five games within the North Division, the K-Wings will head out of division for a pair of road games against the Atlantic Division. Kalamazoo will play the Wheeling Nailers on Friday and then travel the following night to the First Arena to battle the Elmira Jackals.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

So far this season, scoring first has suited the K-Wings well. Kalamazoo is 4-0-0-0 when scoring the game's first goal, while 0-1-0-0 when surrendering the first goal.

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.

Charlebois and Gill on the Radio

Join special guests Joe Charlebois and Riley Gill 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, November 4th @ Wheeling 7:35 PM

Saturday, November 5th @ Elmira 7:35 PM

Sunday, November 6th Vs Chicago 4:00 PM (Family Hockey Day in the 'ZOO, Presented by Meijer, Kalamazoo Gazette and Charter Communications)

Friday, November 11th Vs Trenton 7:30 PM (Frugal Fan Friday and Military Appreciation Day, Presented by SportClips Haircuts and WRKR)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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