ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

Published on March 4, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Friday, March 1st Vs Cincinnati Cyclones (Cincinnati 3-Kalamazoo 2)

Kalamazoo, MI - Missing a few opportunities to tie the game late in the third period, the Kalamazoo Wings (28-24-4-1) fell to the Cincinnati Cyclones (36-17-4-2) 3-2 Friday night at Wings Stadium.

Weaving through the attack zone Matt Smyth (3rd) gave the Cyclones the lead late in the first period, when he caromed a backhander off the crossbar and into the net.

Early in the second period, Kalamazoo pulled even with a power-play tally from Nick Sirota (19th); however, the game wouldn't stay tied for very long.

Walking from the corner, Jack MacLellan (2nd) went untouched to the slot 11:58 into the period to extend his point streak to five games and give the Cyclones the one goal advantage.

Extending their lead to 3-1 three minutes later, Cincinnati's Dan Eves (16th) one-timed a Taylor Aronson cross-rink pass.

Trying to mount a comeback in the third period, John Armstrong found Yann Sauve cutting in front of the Cyclones net for Sauve's fifth-goal of the season. The assist extended Armstong's point and assist streaks to eight games.

The Cyclones, who are 10-1-0-0 in their last 11 games, extended their winning streak to a season-high tying five games.

Saturday, March 2nd @ Cincinnati Cyclones (Cincinnati 4-Kalamazoo 1)

Cincinnati, OH - Tied after two periods, the Cincinnati Cyclones (37-17-4-2) scored three times in the final 20 minutes to earn a 4-1 victory Saturday night against the Kalamazoo Wings (28-25-4-1) and in the process extended their winning streak to a season-long six games.

Crashing the net midway in the first period, Yann Sauve snuck in from the point and scored his sixth goal of the season on a rebound 10:37 into the period. Earning an assist on the goal, John Armstrong extended his point and assist streak to nine games.

Battling back later in the period, Dan Eves (14th) redirected a Mathieu Aubin cross-rink pass past Joe Cannata to tie the game at 1-1.

Stellar defensive play halted scoring until the third period. In the final period, it was the Cyclones special teams that took center stage.

Finding the loose puck in front of Cannata, Michael Pelech (11th) tapped in the eventual game-winner on the power-play 2:42 into the period. The goal ended a stretch of 27 consecutive penalty-kills for the K-Wings, which dated back to the third period of their game against the Trenton Titans on February 14th.

Looking to even the game with a power-play goal of their own late in regulation, Kalamazoo turned the puck over in the neutral zone, as David Pacan (13th) raced in and scored shorthanded to secure the victory.

David MacDonald (7th) closed out the scoring with 13 seconds remaining with an empty-netter.

Kalamazoo finished the game 0-for-5 on the power-play, while Cincinnati went 1-for-3.

Sunday, March 3rd @ Wheeling Nailers (Wheeling 6-Kalamazoo 4)

Wheeling, WV - The Kalamazoo Wings (28-26-4-1) losing streak grew to three games with a 6-4 loss Sunday afternoon against the Wheeling Nailers at the WesBanco Arena (25-23-3-7).

Jumping out quickly, Kory Karlander (9th) gave the K-Wings an early 1-0 lead beating Peter Delmas with a wrister 1:43 into the game.

Extending their lead in the middle of the period, Alexandre Grenier found John Armstrong (8th) in the slot for a one-timer. The goal from Armstrong extended his point streak to 10 games, while the assist was Grenier's second of the game.

Cutting the K-Wings lead in half, the Nailers took advantage of a Kalamazoo turnover, as Cam Fergus (8th) scored his team-leading third shorthander of the season. The shorthanded tally was the eighth surrendered by Kalamazoo this season and the second in as many games.

Grenier (3rd) notched his third point of the game on a breakaway tally 7:43 into the second period to grow Kalamazoo's lead back to two goals. The goal was setup by Armstrong and Yann Sauve. The assist from Armstrong extended his assist streak to 10 games, while Sauve pushed his point streak to four games with the helper.

Utilizing a power- play, Wheeling brought the deficit back to a single goal, when Keven Veilleux (5th) third whack a puck near the crease crossed the goal line with 1:32 remaining in the period.

Wheeling's momentum from Veilleux's goal carried into the third period. Earning one his game-high four assists, Paul Crowder laid the puck to the tape of Max MacKay to even the game at 3-3.

Taking the lead for good, Jordy Trottier (2nd) knocked in a Peter Lenes rebound 8:57 into the period.

The Nailers added insurance moments later, when Chris Barton (2nd) capped off a three-point performance (1 goal, 2 assists) by scoring from the left circle.

With five minutes remaining, Sauve (7th) earned his third goal in as many games to bring the K-Wings back to within a single goal; however, MacKay (2nd) ended any hopes of a Kalamazoo comeback notching his second goal of the game on an empty-netter with 41 seconds remaining.

Fast Forward

The K-Wings will begin a four-game home stand on Friday, March 8th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Evansville IceMen during WRKR Martins and Bikinis Night and a FANomenal Friday, featuring $2 beer and $2 hot dogs. On the season, the K-Wings are 5-2-0-1 versus the IceMen, who begin the week in fifth place in the North Division.

On Saturday, March 9th, the K-Wings will play the second-leg of the home stand, as they welcome the Toledo Walleye to Wings Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. encounter on WKFR Tahiti Sweetie Night featuring the stars from truTV's wildly successful reality television series, Hardcore Pawn.

The iconic American Jewelry and Loan Diamond overlooks the intersection of 8 Mile and Greenfield in the historic City of Detroit. With 50,000 sq ft of cash and goods surrounding them, there are millions to be made - but their profits come with huge risk as sometimes the customers lose their minds. Welcome to the world of Hardcore Pawn.

Les, Seth and Ashley will be signing autographs and bringing merchandise for K-Wings fans to see and purchase. Plus, fans can also bring in approved items for appraisal during the game. One lucky fan from the audience will get to play the K-Wings/Hardcore Pawn version of "Let's Make a Deal" on the ice between periods. On the season, the K-Wings are 7-3-1-0 versus the Walleye, who start the week in second place in the North Division.

Kalamazoo will conclude the week on Sunday, March 10th, with a 3 p.m. face-off versus the Florida Everblades on a Family Hockey in the 'ZOO, where all kids eat FREE and featuring Diego, from the popular kids cartoon series, Go Diego Go!, presented by Bronson Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Consumers Credit Union, Meijer, Charter and MLive.

The first 500 kids will receive a FREE K-Wings Pennant and all fans can skate with the team after the game (skate rental is $3).

Sunday will also be the K-Wings annual Faith Night, which will feature a concert from Audience of One at 1 p.m. and a testimonial from K-Wings forward Aaron Clarke. Individuals interested in seeing the concert or the pregame speakers, please contact Dan Smith at (269) 352-6770 or at dsmith@ghgkz.com. On the season, the K-Wings are 0-1-0-0 versus the Everblades, who start the week in fourth place in the South Division.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Nick Sirota (19 Goals)

Assists: Aaron Clarke (29 Assists)

Points: Aaron Clarke (46 Points)

+/-: Brett Lysak (+7) Penalty Minutes: Nick Sirota (71 Minutes)

Power Play Goals: Sam Ftorek (6 Goals)

Short Handed Goals: Nick Sirota (2 Goals)

Game Winning Goals: Aaron Clarke (5 GW)

Shots: Sam Ftorek (154 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Eric Kattelus (17.3%)

Overtime Goals: Yann Sauve (3 Goals)

Shootout Goals: Kory Karlander, Eric Kattelus, Nick Sirota (2 Goals)

Shootout Percentage: John Armstrong, Michael Davies, Sam Ftorek (100%)

Goals Against Average: Joel Martin (2.68 )

Save Percentage: Joel Martin (0.923)

Rico Sauve Defenseman Yann Sauve enters the week on a four-game point streak. Besides the point streak, Sauve is also riding a K-Wings season-high tying three-game goal streak.

Nearing Double Digits Forward John Armstrong begins the week on a 10-game point and assist streak. Both streaks are season-highs for the K-Wings, while the assist streak ties the ECHL season-high

Not All Good Things Come in Threes

The K-Wings enter the week on a three-game losing streak. The three-game streak ties Kalamazoo's season-long (10/31/12-11/03/12) for consecutive games with a loss.

Home Sweet Home

Kalamazoo will begin a four-game home stand this Friday night. Nine out of the K-Wings final 13 games of the regular season will be played at Wings Stadium.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

The next start for Joel Martin will be his 53rd of the season, which will establish a new K-Wings ECHL single-season record for starts in a single-season (52-Ryan Nie, 2010-2011). The league record for appearances is 65 set in the 1993-94 season by Mark Michaud (Hampton Roads).

K-Wings Live

Join special guests Head Coach Nick Bootland and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno on Monday, March 11th for the next edition of "K-Wings Live". The show is on WZUU (92.5 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 (92.5 FM WZUU & 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 20 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, March 8th Vs Evansville 7:30 PM (WRKR Martinis and Bikinis Night, FANomenal Friday)

Saturday, March 9th Vs Toledo 7:30 PM (Tahiti Sweetie Night and see the stars of Hardcore Pawn)

Sunday, March 10th Vs Florida 3:00 PM (Faith Night and Family Hockey Day in the 'Zoo, presented by Bronson Orthopedic & Sports Medicine, Consumers Credit Union, Meijer, Charter Media and MLive)

Friday, March 15th Vs Fort Wayne 7:30 PM (Celebration! Cinema Night)

Saturday, March 16th @ Evansville 7:15 PM (CDT)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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