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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Loses a 5-4 Thriller on "Pepsi Night"

February 5, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The last game of a season-long six game home-stand for the Kalamazoo Wings didn't end as planned, as the K-Wings dropped a 5-4 decision to the South Carolina Stingrays on "Pepsi Night."

After surviving an initial onslaught of shots from the Stingrays, something had to give as Dan Eves (2nd) re-directed a slap shot from the stick of Patrick Cullity off the clean faceoff win.

The K-Wings stormed back five and a half minutes later, when an errant South Carolina clearing attempt found its way to Kory Karlander whose snapshot beat Stingrays goaltender Andrew Loewen to tie the contest at 1-1. The goal for Karlander was the 800th point of his professional career, with him tallying 327 of those points in a K-Wings sweater throughout his tenure.

Kalamazoo created their first lead of the game as Justin Taylor found the back of the net on the power play opportunity 16:37 into the opening period. The goal was Taylor's 18th of the season; it was also his second power play goal in as many nights.

South Carolina could not be silenced for long, as their team leading scorer Rob Ricci netted his 19th of the season. Ricci slid a backhander through the legs of K-Wings goalie Ryan Nie who has started four of the last five games and is third in the league in minutes played for goaltenders.

A shortage of scoring in the second period led to more physical play throughout the course of the period. It seemed as if we would remain scoreless through the second, until Luke Popko (2nd) knocked down a cross-rink pass and knocked it in, all in one motion past Nie. The score put South Carolina back on top by a goal after two frames of play.

The third period started slow for Kalamazoo as they surrendered yet another Stingrays goal, this time off the stick of Tommy Goebel (10th). Goebel used a deflection in front of Nie to establish an insurance goal for South Carolina. The goal capped off a three point night for Goebel (1G, 2A).

It seemed as if the ‘Rays were on a mission as they added another goal to separate themselves from the K-Wings in this one. It was the captain Matt Scherer who let a wrister go over the top of the sprawling Nie.

The game was all but over with South Carolina nursing their three goal lead with less than ten minutes left to play. But at the 12:33 mark, Taylor buried the puck past Loewen for the second time on the evening for his 19th goal of the season.

Exactly thirty seconds later, Kalamazoo would make it a one goal game. Andrew Fournier (24th) still had some magic on his stick as he found the back of the net. The goal by Fournier extended his team lead and has himself a five-goal cushion on Taylor and Karlander, each with 19.

The scoring stopped there, but not without the K-Wings creating a myriad of chances with Nie pulled from his net for the final 1:30 of play.

Kalamazoo will begin a brief two-game road trip this Wednesday, February 9th with a 7 p.m. face-off at the Sun National Bank Center against Trenton Devils.

The K-Wings will return home this Saturday, February 12th with a 7:30 p.m. versus the Greenville Road Warriors on Boy Scout Night and a Saturday "Celebrity" Series featuring Mayor Bobby Hopewell and the Killamazoo Derby Darlins. Saturday's game will also feature a Battle of the Badges at 4:30 p.m. featuring members of the Kalamazoo and Portage Fire and Police Departments. Fans can get into the Battle of the Badges with their ticket to the K-Wings game.

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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