Kalamazoo Goalie Joel Martin Stops 43 Shots in Victory Over First-Place Port Huron
Published on February 6, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release
Kalamazoo, MI - Two nights after the Port Huron Icehawks handed the Kalamazoo Wings their third straight loss, a stellar performance from goaltender Joel Martin helped the K-Wings turn the tables against the IHL's first-place club.
Behind Martin's 43 saves and a pair of tallies from Rick Cleaver, the K-Wings dropped the Icehawks 4-2 Friday night at Wings Stadium. Glenn Detulleo added a goal and an assist as Kalamazoo triumphed in regulation for the first time since Jan. 3.
The first-place Icehawks grabbed an early 1-0 lead when Nick Lindberg's (18th) attempted goalmouth feed for Jamie Carroll caromed off a K-Wing and behind Martin at 6:13. That fluky goal marked another slow start for the K-Wings, who have now given up the first tally in 12 of their last 13 games.
But while one unfortunate trend continued, another was broken just more than three minutes later, as Kalamazoo punched home a first-period goal for the first time in four games. Rookie Cleaver (15th) did the honors, deflecting a Casey Handrahan point shot through the legs of Larry Sterling to tie the contest.
Moments later, Port Huron thought it had taken the lead back on a tip-in of its own, but Kris Vernarsky had to settle for nothing after referee Scott Hoberg ruled that he directed the puck into the Kalamazoo goal with a high stick.
At the 7:51 mark of the second, the K-Wings forward line of Cleaver, Anthony Battaglia and Tommy Lange cycled the Icehawks into submission. As the trio relayed the puck to one another, the Icehawks began to tire and left Cleaver (16th) open in the low slot, where he took a pass from Lange and backhanded it past a sprawling Sterling. With the tiebreaker, Cleaver moved past Lange into sole possession of the IHL goal-scoring lead among rookies.
Twenty-nine seconds later, Kalamazoo doubled its lead as Detulleo (16th) was able to guide a loose puck into the right side of the net as he fell to the ice. New K-Wing Justin DePretis made it happen by calmly shoveling the biscuit over to Detulleo amidst a forest of bodies.
The Icehawks turned up the intensity in the third frame, outshooting the K-Wings 19-8 in a frantic effort to force overtime. They finally got a second goal past Martin during a power play to put a scare into the home team and the Wings Stadium crowd. It was Jeff Zehr (17th) who did the damage with a timely redirect of a Tab Lardner wrister.
Port Huron would get no closer, though, and with Sterling off the ice for an extra attacker, Detulleo fed a wide open Battaglia (11th) and the former WMU Bronco walked it to the goal to remove all remaining suspense.
Sterling lost for the first time on the road since November 27th , Thanksgiving night, at Muskegon. He is now 0-3-0-0 against Kalamazoo this season.
For Game Stats: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=735240
Kalamazoo will conclude their abbreviated two-game home stand tomorrow night (02/07) at 7:30 p.m., as well as commence a home and home series at Wings Stadium versus the Bloomington PraireThunder on Pepsi Family Night.
Saturday's game will also be a Win-Win Night, if the K-Wings defeated the PraireThunder, everyone in attendance will receive a FREE ticket to Kalamazoo's game on Wednesday's February 11th versus Bloomington.
The game on Wednesday, February 11th, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd, had to be moved due to the Professional Bull Riding Tour coming to Wings Stadium on Saturday, February 21st and Sunday, February 22nd. Face-off for the Wednesday, February 11th contest is set for 7:11 p.m.
Tickets already purchased for the Sunday, February 22nd game will be honored on Wednesday, February 11th.
Single-game tickets for any of the K-Wings 38 regular season home games are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.
For more information about tonight's game, please contact Director of Public Relations/Broadcaster Mike Modugno at (269) 349-9772 extension 220.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 6, 2009
- Kalamazoo Goalie Joel Martin Stops 43 Shots in Victory Over First-Place Port Huron - Kalamazoo Wings
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Generals Team Up With The American Heart Association - Flint Generals
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