ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on November 21, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Wednesday, November 16th @ Trenton (Kalamazoo 4-Trenton 3)

Trenton, NJ- The Kalamazoo Wings started their four-game road swing on a winning note, defeating the Trenton Titans 4-3 Wednesday night at the Sun National Bank Center.

Kalamazoo's top two goal scorers gave the K-Wings an early advantage in the openin period. Brandon Svendsen (8th) put the K-Wings on the scoreboard 2:32 into the game with a quick wrist shot from the slot that was setup by a pass from behind the net by Patrick Asselin. The goal from Svendsen tied him for the K-Wings' team-lead with Asselin.

Asselin would regain the team-lead in scoring midway in the period earning his ninth of the season by deflecting a Sam Ftorek shot. The assist was Ftorek's second of the night, also assisting on the tally was Trent Daavettila. The helper was Daavettila's ECHL league-tying 12th of the season.

Jordan Southorn (2nd) brought the Titans back into the second period with a power-play tally 7:55 into the period.

The league's most prolific power-play wouldn't be outdone, as Justin Taylor (5th) knocked in a man-advantage rebound 11:17 into the stanza to regain a two-goal lead for Kalamazoo.

Inching closer early in the third period, Southorn (3rd) recorded his second of the night and once again on the power-play to bring the Titans back to within a single goal.

Kalamazoo regained a two-goal lead for the third-time on the evening; Joe Charlebois stole in the puck in the K-Wings zone and send it ahead to Svendsen for his second of the game and team-leading tying ninth of the season.

The Titans added one more goal late with Ryan Hayes (4th) with 15 seconds remaining, but it wouldn't be enough, as the K-Wings hung on for the win.

Friday, November 18th @ Elmira (Kalamazoo5-Elmira 3)

Elmira, NY- Led by a three-goal outburst in the final 20 minutes, the Kalamazoo Wings had their first third period come-from-behind victory to defeat the Elmira Jackals 5-3 Friday night at the First Arena.

The Jackals grabbed the lead 12:05 into the first period, when Jack Downing (1st) crashed the net and knocked in a rebound.

Moments after Mario Larocque (3rd) extended Elmira's lead to 2-0, Kalamazoo answered with a power-play goal from Darryl Bootland (3rd) 3:36 into the second period.

Nearly 10 minutes later, the K-Wings pulled even, when Patrick Asselin earned his team-leading 10th goal of the season on a re-direct past Timo Pielmeier. The goal extended Asselin's point streak to five straight games.

Elmira regained the lead 16:21 remaining in the second period with a power-play strike from Dustin Gazley(3rd).

Before Friday night, the K-Wings hadn't won when surrendering the first-goal (0-3-0-0) of a game or when trailing heading into the third period (0-3-0-0), but that would quickly change in a span of 12 seconds.

Knotting the game at 3-3, Dean Strong (6th) deflected a Joe Sova slap shot over the shoulder of Pielmeier 3:11 into the final stanza.

Off the ensuing face-off, the K-Wings setup the eventual game-winner when Strong found Taylor Ellington atop of the left circle of his second goal of the season. Both of Ellington goals this season have come at the First Arena.

In the waning moments, two nights after Strong's season-high five-game goal and seven-game point streaks were snapped, the forward capped off a K-Wings season-high tying four-point night (2 goals, 2 assists) by intercepting a neutral zone pass and sending into the empty-net for his sixth-goal of the season.

Saturday, November 19th @ Elmira (Elmira 3-Kalamazoo 2-Shootout)

Elmira, NY- Pushing the Elmira Jackals to the limit, the Kalamazoo Wings couldn't complete their second come-from-behind victory in as many nights, as the Jackals hung on to defeat the K-Wings 3-2 in a shootout Saturday night at the First Arena.

Just like the night before, Elmira jumped out to an early lead. Forward Mike Radja's (7th) skated swiftly up the left wing and beat Riley Gill, blocker side-high, with a wrist shot from the middle of the left circle 8:20 into the opening period to give the Jackals a 1-0 lead.

Kalamazoo evened the contest later in the period after a five-minute major charging penalty on Kevin Harvey gave the K-Wings an extended power-play.

Cycling the puck back to the point, Patrick Asselin sent a tape-to-tape pass to the point to defenseman Mike Matczak (2nd), who used a screen in front of the net to beat Brian Stewart to tie the game at 1-1. With the assist, Asselin extended his point streak to six games, while Brandon Svendsen, who also earned an assist on the goal, pushed his point streak to four straight games.

Pulling back ahead with 57.2 seconds remaining in the first period, Elmira's Jack Downing (2nd), following his team winning a face-off in the K-Wings zone, ripped a slap shot from atop of right-circle to give the Elmira a 2-1 advantage.

After no scoring in the second period, the K-Wings would once again even the score. Battling in front of the net, Kory Karlander (4th) took several whacks at the loose puck and on his third attempt pushed it past outstretched Stewart 9:35 into the third period to tie the contest at 2-2.

With no scoring in the remainder of regulation, the K-Wings would participate in their first overtime game of the season. Though a penalty to Karlander would give the Jackals a power-play early into the extra session, the best scoring chance in overtime came from Svendsen.

Stealing the puck at the K-Wings blue line, Svendsen raced up ice and was taken down on a breakaway earning a penalty shot.

In the ensuing penalty shot, Svendsen attempt was stopped by Stewart, which kept the game going and eventually forced a shootout.

The lone goal in the five-man shootout was registered by Radja, who was Elmira's first shooter.

Gill (7-2-0-1) finished the game with 33 saves, while Stewart stopped 34 in the victory.

Receiving a point in the shootout, the K-Wings increased their regulation unbeaten streak to four-games, while the Jackals snapped a three-game winless streak with the win.

Fast Forward

Kalamazoo will conclude their four-game road trip this Wednesday, November 23rd, with a 7:35 p.m. encounter against the Cincinnati Cyclones at the U.S. Bank Arena. Kalamazoo is 2-0-0-0 versus Cincinnati; however, Wednesday's meeting will be the first in the "Queen City." Cincinnati starts the week in fourth place in the North Division.

After taking Thanksgiving off, the K-Wings will return home to Wings Stadium to commence a three-game home stand on Friday, November 25th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Florida Everblades on a Frugal Fan Friday, featuring $1 beers and $1 hot dogs. Friday will also be Grand Rapids Popcorn Night and a "Black Out" Friday, in which all fans are encouraged to wear black to the game.

On Saturday, November 26th, the K-Wings and Everblades will square off again at 7:30 on a Saturday "Celebrity" Series, featuring a FREE post-game concert with Plain Jayne. Florida starts the week in fourth place in the South Division.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Patrick Asselin (10 Goals)

Assists: Trent Daavettila (12 Assists)

Points: Patrick Asselin (19 Points)

+/-: Joe Sova (+12)

Penalty Minutes: Darryl Bootland (69 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Brandon Svendsen (4 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Brandon Svendsen, Justin Taylor (1 Goal)

Game Winning Goals: Brandon Svendsen (4 GW)

Shots: Brandon Svendsen (38 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Dean Strong (43.8%)

Overtime Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Shootout Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Shootout Percentage: Entire Team (0.0%)

Goals Against Average: Riley Gill (2.98 )

Save Percentage: Riley Gill (0.898)

Top of the Mountain

The K-Wings start the week as the top team in the ECHL. While there are teams with more points, no team in the league has a better winning percentage (0.731) than Kalamazoo.

Rolling Along

Forward Brandon Svendsen enters week on an impressive point streak. Svendsen has earned at least one point in each of his last four games.

Strong After One

So far this season, when the K-Wings have led after the first period they are undefeated. Kalamazoo is 8-0-0-0 when they hold a lead entering the second period.

Home Sweet Home

After four straight on the road, the K-Wings will return to Wings Stadium this Friday, November 25th to begin a three-game home stand. So far this season, Kalamazoo is 5-1-0-0 at Wings Stadium.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Dating back to last season, the K-Wings have struggled in shootout contests. Kalamazoo, who is 1-7-0-0 since last year in shootouts, have dropped their last seven shootout contests, which includes last Saturday's 3-2 loss to Elmira.

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.

Kattelus and Sirota on the Radio

Join special guests Eric Kattelus and Nick Sirota 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

Wednesday, November 23rd @ Cincinnati 7:35 PM

Friday, November 25th Vs Florida 7:30 PM (Frugal Fan Friday, "Black Out" Friday and Grand Rapids Popcorn Night)

Saturday, November 26th Vs Florida 7:30 PM (WNWN Win-Win Night, Saturday "Celebrity" Series, Featuring a FREE Post-Game Concert by Plain Jayne)

Wednesday, November 30th Vs Greenville 7:00 PM (Cocktails on the Cube, Presented by WKMI and The Kalamazoo Chamber)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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ECHL Stories from November 21, 2011


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