ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Lights the Lamp Eight Times on Schupan & Sons Inc. Presents Big Brothers & Big Sisters Nig

Published on February 25, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings fended off a late charge from the Toledo Walleye and moved into first place in the North Division Friday night at Wings Stadium.

Kalamazoo got themselves on the board just under six minutes into the first period. Dean Strong (2nd) rifled a wrist shot over the shoulder of Toledo goalkeeper, Thomas McCollum. McCollum, a first round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2008, made his third appearance against the K-Wings this season. Brady Leisenring got the primary assist on the goal; the assist was his 200th career professional point.

The K-Wings would strike again in the later in the period on their only power play opportunity of the stanza, this time it was Patrick Asselin who found twine. Asselin put in his own rebound, after receiving a pass from Kory Karlander along the right wing side. The goal for Asselin was his 19th on the season, and his 10th on the power play to tie with Karlander for the team lead. The initial breakout pass came from the stick of Ryan Nie, who sent a rink-long pass from just in front of his crease to Steven Tarasuk who got the secondary assist on the goal.

Asselin's team lead wouldn't last long, as Karlander tallied himself another power play goal with his one-timer blast from the right wing faceoff dot. The goal was Karlander's 24th of the season and his 11th on the power play.

The K-Wings established a four-goal lead only minutes later, riding the back of Aaron Clarke (16th) who added himself a short-handed goal. It came off a tape-to-tape pass from Trent Davvettila on their odd-man-rush. Clarke's goal was his team-leading third shorthanded goal on the campaign.

Toledo couldn't be held off the board forever, as Chris DiDomenico got the Walleye on the board with his sixth goal of the season, just over a minute after the Clarke goal.

Exactly a minute later, Kalamazoo re-established their four-goal lead, again it was Karlander who buried his 25th goal of the season.

The second period scoring was just getting started, as Willie Coetzee got his seventh goal of the season at the 17:14 mark.

But, the K-Wings didn't take long to respond, just a minute and three seconds later, Karlander (26th) capped off his natural hat trick, scoring all three of his goals in the second frame. The hat trick for Karlander was the fifth-trick of the season by a K-Wing.

Capping off the seven-goal second period, Toledo's Kyle Rogers found the back of the net for the ninth time on the season.

Just 10 seconds into the third and final period, the Walleye brought the game to within two goals as this time it was Mike Hedden who netted his team leading 21st goal.

Less than seven minutes passed before Toledo made it interesting, as they closed the gap to within one goal for the first time since 1-0, early in the first period. Rogers (10th) got his second goal of the evening, this time with the man advantage which brought his Walleye into contention, making the score 6-5.

But, Kalamazoo would respond strongly, using the third goal of the season from Mitch Versteeg (4th) who joined the rush to put the puck past the Toledo relief goaltender, Joe Palmer, who came in to replace McCollum.

Finally the K-Wings put this one away, when Strong got the eighth and final goal for Kalamazoo, as he put home a rebound from a Sam Ftorek slap shot. The goal was the third on the season for Strong, as he now has three goals in his last two outings.

The K-Wings will remain home at Wings Stadium tomorrow, Saturday, February 26th with a 7:30 p.m.

face-off versus the reigning Kelly Cup Champions, Cincinnati Cyclones during another Saturday "Celebrity" Series, featuring author and CEO of Southwest Michigan First, Ron Kitchens.

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.

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