ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Clinches North Division with Overtime Victory against Elmira

Published on March 27, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Elmira, NY- Securing home ice in round one of the Kelly Cup playoffs, the Kalamazoo Wings clinched their second consecutive North Division title with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Elmira Jackals Sunday afternoon at the First Arena.

A penalty filled period for Elmira gave Kalamazoo four power-play chances, but neither team were able to score in the opening period. The K-Wings went 0-for-4 in the first period on the power-play, while the Jackals didn't get a man-advantage opportunity.

Goaltender Jared DeMichiel kept Elmira in the game in the opening 20 minutes stopping 14 shots, including eight saves on the power-play.

At the end of the period, Elmira's Chris Frank received a five-minute major for being an aggressor and a game-misconduct, which game the K-Wings a five-minute power-play to start the second period.

Taking full advantage of the power-play to start the period, the K-Wings struck twice in a span of 12 seconds on the Frank major. Steven Tarasuk (3rd) earned his first goal since December 18th with a slap shot from the slot 4:25 into the period. Assisting on the goal were Andrew Fournier and Trent Daavettila. With the assist, Fournier has recorded a point in 11 straight road games.

Off the ensuing face-off, Patrick Asselin (27th) stormed down ice and ripped a wrister past DeMichiel for his team-leading 12th power-play goal of the season. The 12 seconds between goals marks the fastest time that Kalamazoo has scored back-to-back goals. The previous best was 29 seconds against Toledo on opening night (10/22/10).

Cutting the deficit to one-goal early in the third period, Elmira's Ryan Hillier (4th) sent a centering pass off of Ryan Nie and into the net for a power-play tally 6:25 into the period.

Elmira had a chance to tie the contest 9:07 in the frame, when Sam Ftorek took down Yannick Tifu on a breakaway to setup a penalty shot. On the attempt, Nie kept the K-Wings in front after diving and poking the puck away from Tifu.

Squandering the chance to tie the game at 2-2 with the penalty shot, the Jackals didn't have to wait long for another opportunity to pull even. Less than three minutes later, Martin Moucha (2nd) snuck behind the K-Wings defense and scored the equalizer on a breakaway.

Remaining tied for the remainder of regulation, the game eventually would head into overtime. Not wasting any time in the extra session, Ftorek sent a crisp cross rink pass to the tape of Daavettila (30th), who blasted the game-winner past DeMichiel 29 seconds into overtime.

For Game Stats: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php'game_id8646 .

The K-Wings will return home this Wednesday, March 30th for a special 10:30 a.m. face-off versus the Cincinnati Cyclones during the second of two Education Day Games presented by RxOptical, Bounceland, Edison Electric and Putter's Family Fun Center.

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 and the Discover Kalamazoo Post-Game Show, keep your radio tuned this season to the K-Wings Radio Network.

Single game tickets for the 2010-2011 season are on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office, Ticketmaster Outlets, including www.ticketmaster.com, Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, please call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

Tickets for all K-Wings home games are on sale now and range in price from $9.90-$14.90 for adults and only $6.90 for kids ages 12 and under. The ticket prices for all K-Wings premium night games (all colored ice games and New Year's Eve game) are just $1 more.

Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single game tickets advance because on the day of a game, K-Wings tickets are $1 more.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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ECHL Stories from March 27, 2011


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