ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on April 10, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Tuesday, April 3rd @ Wheeling (Wheeling 4-Kalamazoo 2) Game 1 Eastern Conf. Quarterfinals

Wheeling, WV- Taking their first lead of the night with 67 seconds remaining in regulation, the Wheeling Nailers defeated the Kalamazoo Wings 4-2 in game one to take a one-game to none lead in the Best-of-Five Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

End-to-end action featured no scoring in the first period. Wheeling outshot Kalamazoo 17-6 in the opening period.

Picking up where he left off in the regular season, Darryl Bootland (1st), who led the K-Wings with 25 goals, earned Kalamazoo's first goal of the playoffs on the power-play 1:39 into the second period.

Using a power-play goal of its own, Wheeling tied the game at 1-1 late in the middle stanza with a tally from Paul Crowder (1st).

Early in the third period, Nick Sirota (1st) reclaimed a one-goal lead for the K-Wings scoring on a breakaway.

Fighting back midway through the third period, Chris Barton (1st), who led all ECHL rookies in goals scored in the regular season with 28 goals, one-timed a slap shot from between the circles to even the game at 2-2.

The Nailers took their first and only lead of the game with 1:07 remaining in regulation, when Matt Schepke fired a centering pass off the tape of Ben Farrer (1st) for the eventual game-winner.

Andrew Hotham (1st) concluded a game-high three-point (1 goal, 2 assist) performance scoring an empty-net, shorthanded goal with seven seconds remaining.

Riley Gill (0-1) made 35 saves in defeat, while Patrick Killeen (1-0) stopped 25 shots in the victory.

Wednesday, April 4th @ Wheeling (Kalamazoo 4-Wheeling 2) Game 2 Eastern Conf. Quarterfinals

Wheeling, WV- Trailing entering the third period, the Kalamazoo Wings scored three times, including twice on the power-play defeat the Wheeling Nailers 4-2 and in the process even up the Best-of-Five Eastern Conference Quarterfinal match-up at a game apiece.

In what seemed a like a carbon copy of the first period in game one, either team had many scoring chances in the first period.

Wheeling's best opportunity happened 9:34 into the period on a missed penalty shot opportunity from Chris Barton.

Feeding off the momentum of Riley Gill's save minutes later, Kalamazoo jumped ahead with a goal from Kory Karlander (1st). With the puck the left the Nailers net, Karlander took three whacks at the free puck to slide the puck around the leg pad of Patrick Killeen.

Tying the game at 1-1 early in the second period, Phillip Samuelsson (1st) used a screen in the front of the K-Wings net to beat Gill over his left shoulder 1:05 into the stanza.

The hero of game one, Andrew Hotham (2nd) put the Nailers in front 15:14 into the middle frame with a left circle wrister that was setup from a behind the net pass from Paul Crowder, who assists was his second in the game.

Mike Matczak (1st) recorded the equalizer early in the third period with a power-play strike that went over the shoulder of Killeen.

Taking the lead for good midway in the period, Trent Daavettila found Dwight Helminen (1st) in the high-slot for the eventual game-winner.

Tacking on some insurance at the 14:02 mark of the third, Sam Ftorek (1st) scored from the point with a power-play blast.

The K-Wings, who finished the game 2-for-3 on the power-play, are now 3-for-6 with a man-advantage during the playoffs.

Gill (1-1) was stellar between the pipes stopping 29 shots for the victory, while Killeen (1-1) had 21 saves in defeat.

Friday, April 6th Vs Wheeling (Kalamazoo 5-Wheeling 1) Game 3 Eastern Conf. Quarterfinals

Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings proved there is certainly no place like home, as the K-Wings defeated the Wheeling Nailers in game three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals with a decisive 5-1 victory to take a two games to one lead in the Best-of-Five Series.

Keeping up with the trend of the first two games of the series, Kalamazoo scored the game's first goal. Crashing in from the point, Elgin Reid (1st) registered his first point of the playoffs 14:35 into the opening period knocking in Dwight Helminen rebound.

Early in the second period, Kalamazoo extended their lead to 2-0, when Dustin Cloutier (1st), who was camping in front of the Nailers net deflected a Mike Matczak slap shot 1:12 into the period.

Wheeling cut Kalamazoo's advantage just over two minutes later, when Chris Barton finished off a give-and-go from Paul Crowder to record his second-goal of the playoffs.

The K-Wings power-play remained red-hot, entering game three 3-for-6 with a man-advantage, Kalamazoo scored on their first attempt of the contest, with a redirect tally from Nick Sirota (2nd).

For the second straight game, the K-Wings had to fend off a penalty shot attempt from the Nailers. Created when Kalamazoo coved the puck in the crease, Andrew Hotham's attempt was turned aside by Riley Gill.

Drawing away in the third period, Darryl Bootland (2nd) innocent wrist shot found itself into the net to push the K-Wings advantage to three goals 4:32 into the stanza.

Less than two minutes later, Cloutier (2nd) notched his second-goal of the night on a give-and-go from Reid.

Gill raised his playoff record to 2-1 making 37 saves in the victory, while Patrick Killeen (1-2) had 20 saves in defeat.

Saturday, April 7th Vs Wheeling (Kalamazoo 3-Wheeling 2) Game 4 Eastern Conf. Quarterfinals

Kalamazoo, MI- Ever trailing in game four, the Kalamazoo Wings defeated the Wheeling Nailers 3-2 Saturday night at Wings Stadium to win their Best-of-Five Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Series three games to one.

Justin Taylor earned his first goal of the postseason to give the K-Wings the lead 5:46 into the first period. Taylor's initial shot was stopped by Patrick Killeen; however, with the puck loose the side of the net, Taylor skated by and jammed it over the goal line.

Kalamazoo built on their lead midway through the period when Darren Archibald found Kory Karlander in the high slot for his second-goal of the playoffs. Also assisting on the goal was Nick Sirota, who extended his playoff point streak to four games.

With Chris Barton standing behind the K-Wings net, the forward cut the K-Wings lead in half with 1:31 left in the opening period, Barton looking out in front redirected a shot off the back of Riley Gill and into the net.

A turnover at the Nailers blue line helped the K-Wings increase their advantage back to two goals. After Trent Daavettila stole the puck in front of his own bench, he chipped it to Darryl Bootland, who in turn led Dwight Helminen (2nd). Helminen skated in and scored on a wrister to extend his point streak to four games.

Not going away in the third period, Barton (4th) notched his second goal of the night 2:57 into the stanza from a centering pass from Paul Crowder to bring the Nailers back within a single goal.

Closing out the series, Gill (3-1) made 26 saves, while Killeen (1-3) stopped 23 shots in defeat.

Fast Forward

The K-Wings will continue the Kelly Cup Playoffs this Friday, April 13th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the South Carolina Stingrays in game one of the Best-of-Seven Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Game two of the series will be on Saturday, April 14th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Wings Stadium. During the regular season, the K-Wings were 2-1-0-1 against the Stingrays. This will be the first playoff meeting between the teams.

Playoff Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Five Players Tied (2 Goals)

Assists: Trent Daavettila (4 Assists)

Points: Dwight Helminen, Nick Sirota (5 Points)

+/-: Dustin Cloutier (+3)

Penalty Minutes: Darryl Bootland (6 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Darryl Bootland, Sam Ftorek, Mike Matczak, Nick Sirota (1 Goal)

Short Handed Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Game Winning Goals: Dwight Helminen (2 GW)

Shots: Dwight Helminen (13 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Kory Karlander (50%)

Overtime Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)

Goals Against Average: Riley Gill (2.00 )

Save Percentage: Riley Gill (0.941)

Burning Up

Forwards Dwight Helminen and Nick Sirota have been on fire in the playoffs. Both players start the week on four-game point streaks.

Haczyk Returns

Earlier today, forward Bryan Haczyk was reassigned to the K-Wings from the New Jersey Devils. Haczyk has been activated off the K-Wings Playoff Reserved List and replaced with forward Prab Rai.

Killing Time

One reason for the K-Wings playoff success has been their penalty-kill. Kalamazoo has killed off nine out of the 10 (90%) power-play chances they have allowed.

Scoring in the Clutch

Forward Dwight Helminen has earned two game-winning goals in the playoffs. The two game-winners ties Helminen with Idaho's Jacob Cepis for the league-lead during the Kelly Cup playoffs.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

So far in the playoffs, the K-Wings have come out strong in games. Kalamazoo, who has scored first in their first four playoff contests, has outscored their opponents 4-1 in the first period.

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.

K-Wings Live

Join special Head Coach Nick Bootland and the "Voice of the K-Wings", Mike Modugno this Monday on "K-Wings Live" presented by Miller Lite. The show is on The Classic Hits Station WLKM (95.9 FM) and online through www.kwings.com from 7-8 p.m. at Old Burdick's Wings West on Sports Drive.

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, April 13th Vs South Carolina 7:30 PM (Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals, Game One)

Saturday, April 14th Vs South Carolina 7:30 PM (Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals, Game Two)

Wednesday, April 18th @ South Carolina 7:05 PM (Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals, Game Three)

Friday, April 20th @ South Carolina 7:05 PM (Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals, Game Four)

*Saturday, April 21st @ South Carolina 7:05 PM (Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals, Game Five)

*Tuesday, April 24th Vs South Carolina 7:00 PM (Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals, Game Six)

*Wednesday, April 25th Vs South Carolina 7:00 PM (Eastern Conf. Semi-Finals, Game Seven)

(* Denotes Games that Will Only Be Played If Necessary)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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ECHL Stories from April 10, 2012


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