IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo squeezes by Bloomington 2-1 on Tommy Lange's shootout goal

Published on February 7, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI - The Bloomington PrairieThunder came into Saturday's game at Wings Stadium on a nine-game unbeaten streak, largely on the strength of four shootout victories.

Pardon the Kalamazoo Wings if they weren't impressed.

The K-Wings improved to 5-0 in the shootout and an incredible 9-0 in games that go past regulation by edging the white-hot PrairieThunder 2-1 in the first of three consecutive match-ups between the two teams.

Tommy Lange nailed the shootout winner in the fourth round and Glenn Detulleo picked up his second goal in two nights to pace Kalamazoo. Chris Trick earned his first point of the season, an assist, in his second game wearing the Wing.

Bloomington defenseman Nick Goyens (1st) tied the score at 2:05 of the third period to send the contest into overtime and the subsequent shootout. Goyens' first professional goal helped push the ‘Thunder past 60 minutes for the seventh time in their last 10 games.

The shootout also decided a classic goaltenders' duel that pitted Kalamazoo's Joel Martin against Bloomington's Jason Wolfe, who had won his first three decisions in the IHL. Anthony Battaglia snuck a low shot past Wolfe in the second round, then the ‘Thunder's John Nail forced an extra frame by sliding the puck under a diving Martin to set up Lange's heroics.

Martin finished with 37 saves, besting Wolfe's 29 and helping move Kalamazoo into a tie for third place with Muskegon, which lost 3-2 to Flint at L.C. Walker Arena.

The PrairieThunder have been outscored 54-36 in the first period this season, but they were the stronger team in the opening 20 minutes this time around. Riding the positive momentum of their five-game winning streak, the ‘Thunder controlled the puck for the majority of the period and outshot the K-Wings 10-8, but they couldn't dent Martin, who made a handful of splendid saves to start his night.

The first half of the second period would tick away without any scoring, but it wasn't because of a lack of scoring chances for either side, as both goalies looked impervious. Wolfe's net would bulge first, though, as Detulleo capitalized on a fortunate bounce to put Kalamazoo ahead 1-0.

Lucas Drake flipped a headman pass into the offensive zone, which caromed off a Bloomington leg and directly to a speeding Detulleo (17th), who took the puck in stride inside the right circle and deposited a strong wrister over Wolfe's glove at 10:49.

The ‘Thunder's Jan Jas had a great opportunity fall into his lap a few minutes later, as he was sprung on a breakaway just after stepping out of the penalty box. Jas broke in on Martin and deked to the backhand, but the K-Wings' netminder got his mitt up in time to pin it against the post and keep it out.

Each team squandered four power-play chances apiece, including an overtime four-on-three for Bloomington after Trick went off for hooking.

For Game Stats: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=735242

Kalamazoo concludes the home and home portion of their three games against Bloomington tomorrow (02/08) afternoon with a 4:05 p.m. (CDT) encounter at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

The K-Wings will return to Wings Stadium this Wednesday, February 11th for a 7:11 p.m. face-off versus the Thunder.

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.

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.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 7, 2009


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