ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Defeats Gwinnet 4-3 to Move into Second Place in the North Division

Published on January 29, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings were definitely "Lovin' it" on Saturday night, as the K-Wings defeated the Gwinnett Gladiators 4-3 during the 3rd Annual McDonald's Golden Ice Game, presented by McDonald's and WNWN.

Bolstering the second-best power-play in the league and the top man-advantage unit at home, the K-Wings exploded in the opening period with three special team goals.

Picking up where he left off the night before, Aaron Clarke recorded his 10th goal of the season on a power-play goal 2:46 into the first period. The assist by Andrew Fournier extended his active point streak to seven games.

Gwinnett stormed back 19 seconds later with an equalizer from Ian McKenzie (3rd).

Eight and a half minutes later, the K-Wings used yet another man-advantage opportunity to strike gold on the golden ice. Fournier notched his team-leading ninth power play tally of the season and his 22nd goal overall on the campaign.

It didn't take long for the K-Wings to add an insurance marker and a two-goal lead on the Gladiators, when a minute and a half later, Patrick Asselin (15th) also grabbed his ninth power play goal of the season, tying him for the team lead.

The two goal lead didn't last very long, as it took just under three minutes into the second for the Gladiators to strike back. Akim Aliu used the power play opportunity for Gwinnett to score his first goal of the season.

Aliu had the hot stick in the second period for the Gladiators as he notched his second of the game 9:10 into the period. The goal tied the game at three apiece and earned Aliu his third point of the night in his Gladiator debut.

Kalamazoo claimed the lead for good late in the second period, using Trent Daavettila's 13th goal of the season. Getting the assist on the goal was Sam Ftorek, the 300th assist of his professional career. It took Ftorek 752 career games over 13 seasons in professional hockey to achieve this accomplishment.

Despite being outshot 16-1 in the final period, Kalamazoo was able to keep Gwinnett off the scoreboard to secure the victory. The one shot earned by the K-Wings is a season-low for shots in a period. The 47 shots surrounded were also a season-high allowed by the K-Wings.

For Game Stats: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=8403.

The K-Wings will continue their season-long seven-game home stand with the fourth-leg tomorrow, Sunday, January 30th with a 4 p.m. face-off versus Gwinnett. Sunday is Family Hockey Day in the ‘Zoo and Faith Night.

During all Sunday home games kids (12 and under) eat FREE. This Sunday, the first 500 kids will also receive a FREE draw string backpack courtesy of Little Caesars. Hockey moms, who bring a child with a hockey jersey, will receive a FREE bag of popcorn.

In honor of Faith Night, the K-Wings will welcome recording artist, Please Promise, who will perform two shows at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. in the Wings Stadium Complex's Cube Viewing Area.

As part of the 2 p.m. concert, K-Wing forward Sam Ftorek and Executive Director of Newman's Bookshop, Steve Goffeney will speak to the youth and church groups about their faith.

The performance from Please Promise is presented by Farrell Audio and Video, Minor Field Insurance and Red Arrow Ministries. While the 2 p.m. concert is intended for youth and church groups, the 7p.m. show is FREE for the general public.

Following the game on January 30th the K-Wings will conduct a post-game skate with the players. Admission is $5; skate rental, if needed, is $3.

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.

For more information about tonight's game, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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