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Kalamazoo Never Trails as They Defeat Springfield 5 - 3

December 14, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings News Release


Springfield, IL - Kalamazoo was able to score early and often on Friday night. Although they were handily outshot by Springfield, Kalamazoo coupled opportunistic goals with a solid effort from goalie Alex Okicki to earn the 5 - 3 victory.

Just five minutes into the first period, the Jr. Blues turned the puck over in their own zone as Cole Pierce intercepted the would be pass. Pierce was able to put the puck in the back of the net for his first goal as a Jr. K-Wing.

Kalamazoo's 1-0 lead would hold up until the 13:25 mark when Brett Skibba was able to draw in the Kalamazoo defenders and then find a wide open Theo Tydingco (2nd) sitting in front of the Kalamazoo goal, giving Springfield the game tying goal.

The game would not be tied for long. A little over two minutes after the Jr. Blues tied the game up, the Jr. K-Wings regained the lead. This time, Trevor Boyd found an attacking Kyle Gattelero (5th), who put a backhander past Ryan Kellenberger.

The second period started with Kalamazoo extending their lead. Just a few minutes into the period, Brennan Sanford (2nd) drove home a goal. This would prove to be the end of the night for Kellenberger, as Springfield decided to make a change between the pipes and put Matt Leon into the game.

Although there was a different goalie, the results were the same. Less than two minutes after the Sanford goal, Danny Hamburg (9th) extended the Jr. K-Wing lead to 4 - 1. The goal was assisted by Gatterlero, who recorded his second point of the night.

Springfield refused to quit. At the 7:26 mark, Mike Fazio (7th) cut the Kalamazoo lead to 4 - 2 with a power play goal. Fazio's goal was set up by a defender splitting pass from Ryan Atkinson.

After a major brawl with less than five minutes left in the game saw multiple players from both sides ejected, Kalamazoo was able to take advantage of a 5 on 3 opportunity. Robbie Payne scored his 15th goal of the season to extend his position as the team's leading scorer.

With just 4.6 seconds remaining in the contest, Springfield scored to make it 5 - 3.

Kalamazoo and Springfield have met three times this season, with Kalamazoo winning all three games.

Official game stats can be found at http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid1993662

The Jr. K-Wings will face these same Jr. Blues tomorrow, as the teams will conclude their weekend set at the Nelson Center.

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