ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Weekly

March 12, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Game Rewind

Friday, March 8th Vs Evansville IceMen (Kalamazoo 6-Evansville 3)

Kalamazoo, MI - Starting the a four-game home stand on winning note, the Kalamazoo Wings (29-26-4-1) defeated the Evansville IceMen (22-34-2-3) 6-3 Friday night at Wings Stadium.

Finding the puck off a block shot from Philippe Plante, Nathan Mood (15th) raced up ice and beat Joel Martin for the puck and scored shorthanded into the vacated net 8:32 into the contest. The shorthanded goal was the 9th surrendered by the K-Wings this season and third in as many games.

Sneaking in on the backdoor, Kyle Page (2nd) recorded the equalizer after he deflected a perfect pass in front of the crease from Wesley Myron13:03 into stanza

Claiming the lead by snapping a 0-for-12 drought on the power-play late in the period, Elgin Reid (10th) skated to the high-slot and launched a slap shot five-hole past Evansville goaltender James Reid.

Early in the second period, Moon (16th) brought the game back to even by knocking in a Dustin Hopfner rebound that bounced off the end wall to the stick for forward for his second goal of the game.

Getting the lead back less than three minutes later, John Armstrong extended his K-Wings' season-high point streak to 11 games by notching his ninth goal of the season from a drop pass from Nick Sirota.

Earning their largest lead of the game, Kory Karlander (10th) maneuvered to the right circle and lifted the puck over Reid 8:30 into the period.

Just as they did in the previous two periods, Evansville started the scoring 2:40 into the period, as Patrick Kennedy brought the IceMen back to within a single goal scoring his ninth goal of the season.

Brett Lysak (17th) gave the K-Wings some insurance 13:24 into the period with a wrist shot from the left circle.

Kalamazoo capped off the evening with a power-play tally from Mitch Versteeg (5th), which gave the K-Wings a 2-for-6 performance with a man-advantage.

Martin earned his 26th (26-22-4-1) of the season stopping 30 shots. Friday was Martin's 53rd appearance of the season, which established a new K-Wings' ECHL record (Ryan Nie, 52, 2010-2011) for most appearances in a single-season.

Saturday, March 9th Vs Toledo Walleye (Kalamazoo 5-Toledo 3)

Kalamazoo, MI - Led by four goals in the opening period and a 46-save performance by Joel Martin, the Kalamazoo Wings (30-26-4-1) went on to defeat the Toledo Walleye (31-22-5-4) 5-3 Saturday night at Wings Stadium.

Flying out of the gates, Kalamazoo quickly got on the board when John Armstrong (10th) found himself all alone on the breakaway. After a few nifty moves, he was able to put the puck in the back of the net, and Kalamazoo took a one goal lead over Toledo just 2:44 into the game.

Just 40 seconds later, Armstrong's line mate Alexandre Grenier (4th) also went on a breakaway, and he was also able to convert, giving the K-Wings a 2-0 lead. Grenier's goal was assisted by Martin, who made a save and then quickly laid a pass to the tape of Grenier in the neutral zone. The assist was Martin's first point of the season.

Kalamazoo was not done scoring in the period. At the 6:55 mark, Steven Anthony recorded his first goal since December 8th against Toledo and third of the year to give Kalamazoo the early three goal lead.

The Walleye would eventually put a stop to the K-Wing barrage, getting a goal at the 9:04 mark from Trevor Parkes (9th) to cut the K-Wing lead to 3-1.

Kalamazoo responded to the Toledo midway in the stanza, when Yann Sauve's (8th) scored on his own rebound. The goal from Sauve would be the last play of the game for Toledo net minder Jordan Pearce, as he was replaced by Kent Simpson. Pearce left the game stopping four of the eight shots he faced.

After assisting on Toledo's first tally, Byron Froese closed out the scoring in the period by notching his 11th goal of the year.

The four goals in the opening period by the K-Wings ties their season-high for goals in the opening 20 minutes. Kalamazoo originally set the season-high on February 1st against the Fort Wayne Komets.

Pushing their lead back to three goals 6:53 into the second period, Brett Lysak found room atop of the left circle for his 18th goal of the season.

Helping out the Walleye cause midway in the middle frame was Froese (12th), who knocked in his second goal of the game.

Either team was able to score in a penalty filled third period. In the final period, Kalamazoo was whistled three times for six minutes, while Toledo had eight infractions for 39 minutes.

The 46-save performance by Martin ties his own K-Wings' ECHL team record for most saves in a single-game. Earlier this season, Martin duplicated the feat on January 16th versus Elmira and on February 10th against Reading, both losses for Kalamazoo.

Sunday, March 10th Vs Evansville IceMen (Kalamazoo 2-Florida 1-Shootout)

Kalamazoo, MI - The Kalamazoo Wings (31-26-4-1) grinded out a defensive victory Sunday afternoon at Wings Stadium with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Florida Everblades (32-20-4-7).

After a scoreless opening period, Kalamazoo broke the gridlock midway in the second period with a tally from John Armstrong (11th). The goal from Armstrong extended the forwards point streak to 13 games and his goal-streak to four games, both season-highs for Kalamazoo. Assisting on the goal were Nick Sirota and Alexandre Grenier. The assist from Grenier extended his point streak to five games.

Following a face-off win in the K-Wings zone, the Everblades tied the game 12:47 into the third period with a redirected tally from Maury Edwards (4th) to force overtime.

Kalamazoo outdueled Florida 3-1 in the shootout earning goals from Armstrong, Grenier and Alexandre Mallet.

As he has been all season, Joel Martin (28-22-4-1) was stellar between the pipes, as the netminder made 41 saves in the game, not including an impressive three out of the four shots in the shootout.

The victory improved the K-Wings record to a league-best 7-1 record in shootouts, as well as extended Kalamazoo's winning streak to three games.

On the season, Martin, who has appeared in all eight shootout games for Kalamazoo, has turned aside 38 out of the 42 shots he has faced for a save percentage of 90.5 percent.

Fast Forward

The K-Wings will begin a three-game week on Friday, March 15th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Fort Wayne Komets during Celebration! Cinema Night and a FANomenal Friday, featuring $2 beer and $2 hot dogs. On the season, the K-Wings are 6-6-1-0 versus the Komets, who start the week in fourth place in the North Division.

On Saturday, March 16th, Kalamazoo will travel to the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana for a 7:15 p.m. encounter against the Evansville IceMen. On the season, the K-Wings are 6-2-0-1 versus the IceMen, who begin the week in fifth place in the North Division.

Kalamazoo will conclude the week on Sunday, March 17th, with a 3 p.m. face-off versus the Greenville Road Warriors during the 32nd Annual "World Famous" St. Patrick's Day Green Ice Game and a Family Hockey in the 'ZOO, where all kids eat FREE and presented by Bronson Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Consumers Credit Union, Meijer, Charter and MLive. The K-Wings will be wearing special St. Patrick's Day jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game.

The K-Wings-Road Warriors clash will be the second game of a doubleheader. The day will begin at 11 a.m. with a NAHL showdown, featuring the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings hosting the Jamestown Ironmen. Your ticket to the K-Wings game will get you into the J-Wings game for FREE. This will be the K-Wings first and only game in the regular season against the Road Warriors, who start in the week in fourth place in the South Division.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals: Nick Sirota (19 Goals)

Assists: Aaron Clarke (31 Assists)

Points: Aaron Clarke (48 Points)

+/-: Yann Sauve (+7) Penalty Minutes: Nick Sirota (73 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 (161 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Eric Kattelus (17.3%)

Overtime Goals: Yann Sauve (3 Goals)

Shootout Goals: Nick Sirota (3 Goals)

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

Goals Against Average: Joel Martin (2.65 )

Save Percentage: Joel Martin (0.925)

Bakers Dozen Forward John Armstrong begins the week on a 13-game point streak and a four-game goal streak. Both streaks are season-highs for the K-Wings.

Five Alive

Besides Armstrong, forward Alexandre Grenier has been racking up points. Grenier enters the week on a five-game point streak.

Good Things Come in Threes

The K-Wings enter the week on a three-game winning streak. Besides the three-game overall-streak, the K-Wings are also riding a three-game home winning streak.

Getting off to a Great Start

Last Saturday, the K-Wings scored four goals in the opening period in a 5-3 victory over the Toledo Walleye. The four-goal outburst ties the most goals in a single period this season for Kalamazoo.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Kalamazoo will host the Greenville Road Warriors during the 32nd Annual "World Famous" St. Patrick's Day Green Ice Game. The K-Wings, who are 18-9-0-4 in the annual classic, are 0-2-0-1 on Green Ice since joining the ECHL and are winless in their last four game (0-3-0-1) on St. Patrick Day.

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

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

Sunday, March 17th Vs Greenville 3:00 PM (32nd Annual "World Famous" St. Patrick's Day Green Ice Game and a Family Hockey Day in the 'ZOO, presented by Bronson Orthopedic & Sports Medicine, Consumers Credit Union, Meijer, Charter Media and MLive)

Wednesday, March 20th @ Wheeling 7:00 PM

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 12, 2013


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