ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on December 19, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Wednesday, December 13th @ Cincinnati (Kalamazoo 4-Cincinnati 2)

Cincinnati, OH- Entering Tuesday night there was only one remaining ECHL team that was unbeaten at home in regulation; after Tuesday there was none, as the Kalamazoo Wings went into the U.S. Bank Arena and defeated previous undefeated Cincinnati Cyclones (6-0-0-2) by the score of 4-2.

For the third straight contests, the K-Wings would surrender the first goal of the night. Advancing the puck up the left side of Kalamazoo zone, Evan Trupp send a centering pass to Chris Cahill, who buried his third tally of the season 13:03 into the first period.

Responding quickly, the K-Wings tied the game 1:37 later when Darryl Bootland stole the puck at the Cincinnati blue line and sent a pass to Trent Daavettila, who left a drop pass for Sam Ftorek (4th). The assist extended Bootland's point streak to four games, while Daavettila extended his team-lead to 20 assists with the helper.

The Cyclones jumped back ahead late in the period with a deflection from Mathieu Aubin (9th) off of a Maury Edwards blue line slap shot.

For the second-time in the contest a Ftorek slap shot brought the K-Wings even. Nearing the end of Kalamazoo's second power-play of the game and with 2:18 remaining in the second period, Dean Strong sent a diagonal pass to the right point to Ftorek, who registered his fifth goal of the season and the lone marker for either team in the stanza.

Grabbing their first lead of the night in the third period, Strong notched his team-leading 11th goal of the season 5:34 on a power-play strike.

Kalamazoo put the game out of reach minutes later with a tally from Bryan Haczyk (3rd).

Riley Gill raised his record to 10-6-0-2 stopping 21 shots in the victory, while Brian Foster (2-1-0-0) earned his first loss of the season.

The victory was the K-Wings third straight and snapped the Cyclones Eastern Conference current-best four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-0-1).

Friday, December 16th (Kalamazoo 7-Cincinnati 3)

Kalamazoo, MI- With 31 goals out of the lineup due to injury or call-ups, including three out of their top four scorers, the Kalamazoo Wings post a season-high tying seven-goal effort en route to a 7-3 victory Friday night over the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Kalamazoo would jump out to an early lead at just the 1:27 mark, an important strike, considering that the K-Wings had over 30 goals either called up to the AHL or out of the line-up due to injury. Eric Kattelus was on the receiving end of a Darryl Bootland pass and put the puck into the back of the net for his third goal of the season. The point extended Bootland's point streak to five games.

Cincinnati would storm back with two of their own before the end of the period, starting with the tally by Maury Edwards. His second of the season on a long wrister tied the game at one apiece.

Cincinnati would give themselves their first lead of the evening 12:21 into the period. Dave Leaderer notched his first of the season in almost identical fashion to Edwards, on a long-range shot that beat Riley Gill over his glove hand.

The Cyclones scored first in the second period and gave themselves a two-goal lead using Mike Pelech's second strike of the season.

At the 13:27 mark of the second period, Kalamazoo would start their unprecedented hot streak. They scored five unanswered goals, starting with Trent Daavettila's (3rd) shorthanded goal on a quick wrist shot from the left side.

Just three and a half minutes later, Justin Taylor found the back of the net when he deflected a slap shot from Taylor Ellington. The goal for Taylor was his eighth of the season.

Just 52 seconds later, the K-Wings would light the lamp once again and take the lead back from the Cyclones. Bryan Haczyk used his speed to get around the Cincinnati defense and find the back of the net for his fourth of the season. Kalamazoo would take the one-goal lead into the locker room after two periods of play.

The third period started just how the second had left off. The K-Wings continued to have the hot sticks into the final stanza, starting with Mike Matczak's power play goal on a slap shot, it was his fifth of the season.

Just 42 seconds after the Matczak goal, it was Haczyk's turn again. He took a shot from a sharp angle along the left-wing side, and it hit off Cyclones goalie, Chet Pickard and went into the back of the net for Haczyk's fifth of the campaign.

Taylor closed out the scoring 15:11 into the period with a power-play strike. The goal was his second of the night and ninth of the season. Assisting on the tally were Darren Archibald and Ellington. Ellington finished the game tying a K-Wings' season-high with four points; however, he established a team season-high with four assists in a single game.

The victory extended the K-Wings regulation unbeaten streak to five games, going 4-0-0-1 during the stretch

Saturday, December 17th Vs Elmira (Elmira 4-Kalamazoo 3)

Kalamazoo, MI- Finishing the contest with only 10 skaters and trying to kill of a five-minute major

wasn't a good recipe for victory as the Kalamazoo Wings dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to Elmira Jackals Saturday Night at Wings Stadium.

A turnover in the neutral zone led to a two-on-zero rush for the Jackals and a goal for Louis Caporusso (3rd) 1:41 into the opening period.

K-Wing fans only had to wait five minutes later to throw their teddy bears on the ice, as Justin Taylor poked the puck free and scored off the turnover to tie the game at 1-1. Taylor, who extended his goal streak to three games, has scored four goals during the streak.

Later in the period, the Jackals earned their one of their best scoring chances in the period and for the second straight night a K-Wings opponent earned a penalty shot opportunity, when Dustin Gazley was dragged down on a breakaway.

Coming out of the net to challenge the ensuing shot, Maxime Clermont forced Gazley's shot wide. The penalty shot attempt was fourth tried against K-Wings this season, all of which have been unsuccessful. For Elmira, the penalty shot was their first missed since March 27, 2011 (Yannick Tifu) also against Kalamazoo.

Just like the first period, Elmira struck first in the period with a goal from Jack Downing (6th), from behind the K-Wings net, Downing's centering pass hit off the back of Clermont and into the net to put the Jackals ahead 2-1.

Pulling even later in the period, the K-Wings tied the game at 2-2 with a rebound marker from Darryl Bootland (6th). The goal extended Bootland's point streak to six games.

Scoring in similar fashion as he did the first period, Caporusso (4th) earned his second of the night on a breakaway to the put the Jackals up 3-2 just 1:05 into the third period.

Always resilient, the K-Wings fought back for a third-time to tie the game midway in the stanza. After being drilled in the wall, Sam Ftorek (6th) kept control of the puck and rifled the puck past Timo Pielmeier.

Fitting that the Saturday "Celebrity" Series guest were Flippenout, as the K-Wings and Jackals flipped out 13:30 into the final period. Following a hit by Bootland, which led to a five-minute boarding major and three separate fights that gave the K-Wings only 10 skaters to finish the game, Elmira would have an extended power-play.

Capping off a four-point night, Caporusso (5th) recorded the game-winner on a hat trick scoring with a wrist shot from the right circle 14:29 into the period.

Kalamazoo finished the game 0-for-6 on the power-play, while Elmira went 1-for-3. The victory snaps the K-Wings season-high five-game unbeaten (4-0-0-1) and four-game winning streak.

Fast Forward

Before heading on holiday break, Kalamazoo will play two games this week starting on Wednesday, December 21st with a 7:35 p.m. encounter against the Cincinnati Cyclones. With 21 points, Cincinnati starts the week in fourth place in the North Division. On the season, Kalamazoo is 3-1-0-0 against Cincinnati.

The K-Wings will return home this Friday, December 23rd with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Toledo Walleye on Frugal Fan Friday, featuring $1 Beers, $1 Pepsi products and $1 Hot Dogs. Prior to Friday night's game, the K-Wings will unveil a new award named after the first-ever player and captain in K-Wings history, Al Genovy. On the season, Kalamazoo is 2-0-0-0 versus Toledo, who starts the week with 23 points and in third place in the North Division.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Dean Strong (11Goals)

Assists: Trent Daavettila (21 Assists)

Points: Brandon Svendsen (27 Points)

+/-: Sam Ftorek (+13)

Penalty Minutes: Darryl Bootland (96 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Brandon Svendsen (5 Goals)

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

Game Winning Goals: Brandon Svendsen (5 GW)

Shots: Sam Ftorek (74 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Dean Strong (27.5%)

Overtime Goals: Sam Ftorek, Kory Karlander (1 Goal)

Shootout Goals: Steven Anthony, Taylor Ellington, Dean Strong, Justin Taylor (1 Goal)

Shootout Percentage: Taylor Ellington (100%)

Goals Against Average: Riley Gill (3.12 )

Save Percentage: Maxime Clermont (0.894)

Four for Ftorek

Defenseman Sam Ftorek starts the week on an impressive point streak. Ftorek has earned points in four straight games.

K-Wings to Honor Genovy

Prior to Kalamazoo's contest this Friday, December 23rd versus the Toledo Walleye, the K-Wings will unveil a new award named after Al Genovy. Genovy, who was the first-ever player and captain of the K-Wings, played for Kalamazoo from 1974-78.

Tis' The Season

The K-Wings will make their annual visit to the Bronson Children's Hospital tomorrow, Tuesday, December 20th at 2 p.m. Slappy, Santa Claus will join Sam Ftorek, Taylor Ellington and Elgin Reid in delivering some of the bears that were donated during the K-Wings 12th Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game last Saturday.

Roster Moves

The K-Wings made several roster moves today, which included waiving defenseman John Kivisto. Kalamazoo also place Elgin Reid (3-Day), Nick Sirota (7-Day), Kory Karlander (21-Day) and Wes O'Neill (21-Day) on the team's injured reserve.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Kalamazoo's 4-3 loss to the Elmira on Saturday marked the first-time this season that the K-Wings lost to a team in regulation by a single goal. On the season, the K-Wings are 7-1-0-2 in games decided by a single 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.

Archibald and Daavettila

Join special guests Darren Archibald and Trent Daavettila 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, December 21st @ Cincinnati 7:30 PM

Friday, December 23rd Vs Toledo 7:30 PM (Frugal Fan Friday/"Festivus Night")

Tuesday, December 27th @ Cincinnati 7:35 PM

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

Saturday, December 31st Vs Toledo 7:30 PM (10th Annual New Year's Eve Bash, Featuring a Pre and Post Game Concert with The Bronk Brothers, Presented by WWMT and COOL 101)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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