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Kalamazoo Drops First Contest Of Season

September 21, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings News Release


Sault Saint Marie, MI- Even after heavily outshooting their opponent over the course of 60 minutes, the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings couldn't overcome the first period attack of the Soo Eagles. The Eagles tallied three goals in the opening frame on their way to a 4-2 victory on Friday night in Sault Saint Marie.

Just 2:41 into the first period, Kalamazoo found themselves behind early. The Eagles got some traffic in front of Jr. K-Wing goalie, Alex Okicki, and were able to put in a rebound opportunity. Scoring the goal was Gavin Burbach, his first of the young season.

To add to their one goal lead, the Eagles got themselves another tally at the mid-way point of the first period. 10:01 into the first frame, defenseman Michael Lant saw the puck trickle to his stick at the blue line, where he promptly took a wrister that beat Okicki and ended up in the back of the goal.

Kalamazoo would respond quickly, as it was Luc Boby creating a breakaway, just over two minutes after the Lant goal. Boby got behind the defense, and crept in all alone on Soo goalie, Tyler Marble and made a nice move to his forehand to net his third of the campaign.

29 seconds later, the Eagles re-gained their two-goal lead. Eric Rivard was on the doorstep of the Kalamazoo goal and jammed home a loose puck to make the score 3-1 in the first period.

6:14 into the second period, it seemed as if Rivard would tally his second goal of the night and make the score 4-1. However, it was ruled that the puck went into the net by a kicking motion from Rivard, therefore negating the goal.

Trailing by two goals, and searching for momentum, Kalamazoo found themselves with a 5-on-3 power play with under a minute to play in the second period. Boby was able to score his second of the night, and fourth of the season, to pull the Jr. K-Wings to within a goal heading into the third period.

After a five goal outburst between the two teams in the first period, neither team was able to score for over 38 minutes. At the 18:14 mark of the third, the Eagle's Pat Gazzillo was able to bury a wrister to give his team a two goal lead, late in the contest.

On the losing end was Okicki, who's record now moves to 2-1-0, while the victory for the Eagles was their first in their North American Hockey League history.

Official Game Stats can be found at: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=1993393

The Jr. K-Wings will hit the ice again on Saturday, September 22nd at 7:30 p.m. in Sault Saint Marie, as they take on the Soo Eagles in second contest in as many nights.

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