ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on February 27, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- Led by cheers from students from 18 area schools, the Kalamazoo Wings defeated the Toledo Walleye 3-1 during the first of two Education Day games at Wings Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

Generating a majority of the shots in the opening period, the Walleye outshot the K-Wings 9-3 and earned the lone goal of the period on a backhander from Riley Emmerson (3rd) 9:19 into the contest.

A power-play chance early in the second period helped the K-Wings even the contest at 1-1, as Mike Matczak (10th) notched his team-tying (Justin Taylor) seventh power-play tally of the season with a slap shot from the point 4:59 into the stanza. The power-play strike also places Matczak atop all ECHL rookies in power-play goals and ties him for the lead in man-advantage markers by defensemen.

Taylor Ellington (6th) finished off a picture perfect give-and-go from Bryan Haczyk midway in the period to give the K-Wings their first lead of the afternoon.

Tacking on insurance late in the third period, Kory Karlander (12th) put the game out of reach scoring an empty-netter with just 1:19 left in regulation.

The crowd of 4,835 is the largest this season to see the K-Wingat Wings Stadium.

Schools that attended the first Education Day game, presented by Bronson Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Edison Electric, McDonald's, Meijer and Rx Optical were Brandon Elementary, Indian Lake, Doris Klaussen, Bloomingdale/Pullman, Cassopolis, Delton Kellogg, Climax-Scotts, Southeastern Elementary, Lawton Elementary, St. Paul Lutheran, East Leroy Elementary, White Pigeon, Arbor Academy, Northwestern Middle, Mendon Elementary, Van Buren ISD, Watervliet Middle School and Woods Edge Learning Center.

Friday, February 24th Vs Chicago (Chicago 4-Kalamazoo 3)

Kalamazoo, MI- A solid effort in the first period, the Kalamazoo Wings squandered a three-goal lead and lost to Chicago Express 4-3 Friday night at Wings Stadium.

A first period filled with plenty of hits and penalties led to three power-play goals for the K-Wings.

Kory Karlander (13th) got things started for Kalamazoo with a snap shot in the slot past Chicago goaltender Peter Mannino. Darryl Bootland found the streaking Karlander on the extended 5-on-3 power play to give the K-Wings the 1-0 lead. The goal extended Karlander's point streak to five games.

On the same power play, Nick Sirota (11th) extended Kalamazoo's lead with a hard-fought rebound goal right in front of the net. Darren Archibald along with Karlander recorded assists on the second K-Wings goal.

The first period power play success was not done yet. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the opening frame, the K-Wings cashed in on their 3rd power play goal of the period when Taylor Ellington (7th) found the back of the net. Bootland and Trent Daavettila each registered their 2nd assist of the period, on the goal.

Responding in the second period, the Express rolled for three goals of their own. Down on a knee in front of the K-Wings net, Pierre-Luc Faubert (16th) lifted a backhander past Maxime Clermont.

Stealing the puck at the K-Wings blue line moments later, Jonathan Zion (2nd) skated in and blasted a slap shot from between the circles.

Scott Wietecha (11th) brought Chicago even with less than three minutes remaining in the second period with a power-play tally. Wietecha blasted one from the point that beat Clermont to the near post.

Finishing the comeback in the third period, Zion (3rd) earned his second-goal of the night, this time on the power-play.

Kalamazoo finished the night 3-for-6 on the power-play, while Chicago went 2-for-5.

Saturday, February 25th @ Cincinnati (Cincinnati 5-Kalamazoo 3)

Cincinnati, OH- The Cincinnati Cyclones have pulled to within six points of the top spot in the North Division, as the second place Cyclones defeated the first place Kalamazoo Wings 5-3 Saturday night at the U.S. Bank Arena.

A defensive struggle for the first 17 minutes of the first period featuring sprawling saves from both Maxime Clermont and Chet Pickard, turned in an offensive explosion, as Dan Eves (12th) scored on an innocent backhander 17:54 into the period.

Responding just 15 seconds later, Bryan Haczyk laid a centering pass off the tape of Dustin Cloutier (8th) to tie the game at 1-1.

While the game looked like it would remain tied heading into the locker room, Eric Kattelus (7th) changed the complexion with a slap shot tally with just 7.6 seconds remaining in the stanza to give the K-Wings the advantage after 20 minutes.

Bryan Haczyk (14th) extended the K-Wings lead early in the second period with a right circle slap shot. Seven out of Haczyk's 14 goals this season have come against the Cyclones.

Mounting a comeback midway in the period, Mathieu Aubin (20th) earned his first of two goals with a penalty shot. The penalty shot attempt was a league-high fifth of the season allowed by the K-Wings and the first that was successful.

Aubin (21st) earned his second-goal of the night with less than three minutes remaining in the stanza with a blast from the right circle.

The Cyclones reclaimed the lead 40 seconds later, when Mathew Sisca capped off a three-on-one odd man rush with his 18th goal of the season.

Sisca (19th) struck again tacking on insurance late in the third to close out the scoring.

Sunday, February 26th Vs Wheeling (Wheeling 4-Kalamazoo 2)

Kalamazoo, MI- Even through 40 minutes, the Wheeling Nailers scored twice in the third period, both on the power-play to defeat the Kalamazoo Wings 4-2.

Both teams had scoring on their minds in the opening period combining for four goals in the period.

Kalamazoo nearly started the scoring one minute into the game with a penalty shot from Justin Taylor. Taylor missed the attempted, which was the K-Wings league-best eighth penalty shot of the season.

Falling towards the ice, Paul Crowder (16th) scored on a wrist shot over the shoulder of Riley Gill 2:26 into the period.

Storming back 36 seconds later, Nick Sirota blasted a one-timer past Peter Delmas. Kory Karlander, who earned an assist on the tally, extended his point streak to seven games.

Helped out by the leading rookie goal scorer in the ECHL, Wheeling would leap back ahead. Battling in front of the K-Wings net, Chris Barton netted his 25th goal of the season 4:10 into the stanza.

Pulling even before the end of the period, Darryl Bootland (22nd) wedged a shot over the shoulder of Delmas that trickled over the goal line with just 15.7 seconds remaining in the first.

After a scoreless second period, the game remained deadlocked through 40 minutes. The K-Wings, who were penalty free for the first two periods, received five infractions for 26 minutes, which included a game-misconduct from Riley Gill and misconduct from Bootland.

Wheeling took advantage of Kalamazoo's penalties scoring twice from Crowder (17th) and from Otsego, Michigan native, Kyle Bushee (4th) to secure the victory

Kalamazoo, who went 0-for-3 on the power-play, have dropped three straight games, Wheeling extended their winning streak to three games.

Fast Forward

The K-Wings will begin a three-game road swing this Wednesday, February 29th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off against the Florida Everblades. Kalamazoo will also battle Florida on Friday, March 2nd at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, March 3rd at 7 p.m. On the season, the K-Wings are 1-1-0-0 against Everblades, who start the week in fourth place in the South Division.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Darryl Bootland (22 Goals)

Assists: Trent Daavettila (44 Assists)

Points: Trent Daavettila (57 Points)

+/-: John Kivisto (+11)

Penalty Minutes: Darryl Bootland (143 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Mike Matczak, Justin Taylor (7 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Six Players Tied (1 Goal)

Game Winning Goals: Brandon Svendsen (5 GW)

Shots: Trent Daavettila (170 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Dean Strong (27.5%)

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

Shootout Goals: Nick Sirota (4 Goals)

Shootout Percentage: Nick Sirota (66.7%)

Goals Against Average: Brad Fogal (2.78 )

Save Percentage: Riley Gill (0.907)

Ellington Dealt at NHL Trade Deadline

Defenseman Taylor Ellington was traded earlier today at the NHL Deadline as part of the deal that sent Sami Pahlsson from Columbus Blue Jackets to the Vancouver Canucks. Ellington will now be a member of the Blue Jackets, which includes their affiliates in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons and ECHL with the Chicago Express.

Seventh Heaven

Forward Kory Karlander has earned points in seven straight games. The seven-game point streak is the longest current point streak by a member of the K-Wings.

Snapping a Streak

Kalamazoo heads to Florida looking to end a streak. The K-Wings enter Wednesday's game trying to snap a three-game losing streak.

On a Roll

Forward Nick Sirota is starting to heat up. Sirota starts the week on a four-game point streak.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Penalty shots are nothing new for the K-Wings. Kalamazoo leads the ECHL with penalty shots attempted with eight (1-for-8) and penalty shots allowed (4-of 5 saved).

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 www.kwings.com . The site has player profiles, information about Wings Stadium events, and much, much more.

No K-Wings Live

Due to travel to Florida, there will be no K-Wings Live this Monday, February 27th; join Head Coach Nick Bootland and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno when the show returns on Monday, March 5th ." 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, February 29th @ Florida 7:30 PM

Friday, March 2nd @ Florida 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 3rd @ Florida 7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 7th Vs Cincinnati 10:30 AM (Education Day, Presented by Bronson Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Edison Electric, McDonald's, Meijer and Rx Optical)

Friday, March 9th Vs Chicago 7:30 PM (Old Burdick's Night & Frugal Fan)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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