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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Wings Week in Review

December 23, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


For the Week of December 23rd-29th

Record Last Week: 2-2-0 Overall Record 20-14-7

Game Rewind The K-Wings played four games in five nights last week. The K-Wings started the week on Wednesday, December 18th as they hit the road to battle the Rockford IceHogs. Kalamazoo started the scoring in the game midway through the period, when Glendon Cominetti netted his 3rd of the season to give the K-Wings a 1-nohting lead. Rockford would answer by scoring the games next four goals to take a 4-1lead. Kalamazoo would add one more goal at the 6:36 mark of the third period, as Richard Keyes scored his team leading 16th of the season to bring the K-Wings within two goals. However, it would be Rockford that would add one more goal late, as Rockford would go on to defeat the Kalamazoo Wings by the final of 5-2. The game would prove to be the last for Head Coach Mark Kaufman, as Kaufman was relieved of his duties the following day. Taking over for Mark would be General Manager Paul Pickard.

Pickard would step behind the bench for the first time on Friday night (12/20), as the K-Wings would host the Quad City Mallards. The Mallards would strike first in the second period, as Tom Menicci scored his 4th goal of the season to give Quad City a 1-0 lead. The K-Wings would answer by scoring two goals within 47 seconds from one another. First it would be Quade Lightbody that would score his 2nd of the season to tie the game at 1-1 at the 18:05 mark of the 2nd period, then Rickard Keyes would score his league leading 17th of the season to give Kalamazoo a 2-1 lead. The K-Wings would extend their lead early in the third period, when Keyes (18) scored his second of the game. It was the fourth time this season that Keyes has netted more then two goals in a game. Kalamazoo would get the eventual game winning goal near the five minute mark the period, when Eric Lawson scored his first goal as a professional to make the score 4-1 K-Wings. Quad City would attempt a comeback scoring the games next two goals, but it wouldn't be enough as Kalamazoo would defeat Quad City 4-3.

The K-Wings would finish off the week on the road with two contest against the Missouri River Otters. On Saturday (12/21) the K-Wings would enter the Family Arena trying to snap a 8 game road losing streak. However, Missouri would have other plans as the River Otters, scored the games first two goals to give Missouri a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. The K-Wings would get on the board 3:56 into the second period, when Mark Lawrence scored his 4th of the season to bring the K-Wings within a goal. Unfortunately, that would be as close as the K-Wings would get, as Missouri would add three more goals to defeat the Kalamazoo by the final of 5-1.

The K-Wings concluded the week the next night in Missouri. Missouri's Lonnie Loach (12) scored the games first goal on the power play at the 8:12 mark of the first period. From there the Jim Brown would take over, as Brown would score a natural hat trick (4,5,6). The hat trick was the K-Wings second of the season (Richard Keyes 12/13), and the leagues 14th of the year. Missouri would attempt the comeback late in the third period, when Joey Bastien (10) scored short handed to makes the score 3-2. The K-Wings would put the game on ice a few minutes later when Peter Roed (11) scored a short-handed empty net goal as the K-Wings went on to win the game and snap a 9 game road losing streak 4-2.

Fast Forward The K-Wings will continue their five game road swing with three games this week. The K-Wings will start the week with two straight road contests against the Adirondack IceHawks (Friday 12/27 & Saturday 12/28). Adirondack starts the week tied with the Fort Wayne Komets for first place in the Eastern Conference. This will be the third and fourth meeting of the year between the teams. The K-Wings lost the first contest in a shootout in Glens Falls on December 7th. In their last meeting back on December 13th, the K-Wings avenged their previous loss with a 5-4 victory over Adirondack.

The K-Wings will conclude their road swing Sunday 12/29 against the Elmira Jackals. The K-Wings travel the season series between the teams with a record of 0-1-0. In the lone encounter this season, Kalamazoo lost the game 2-1 at the Coach USA Center. Elmira enters this week in third place in the Eastern Conference.

Alban Returns Chad Alban has rejoined the K-Wings after spending last weekend with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. While Alban dressed in two Griffins games, he did not see any game action.

End the Year with a Bash The Kalamazoo Wings has teamed up with COOL 101 FM, and WWMT to present New Year's Eve Bash 2003 as the K-Wings battle the Adirondack IceHawks at Wings Stadium on December 31st. Face-off is set for 7 PM, and your ticket to the game will also give you free admission to the party after the game. After the game there will be a Rock and Roll Oldies Dance, with the winner receiving two airline tickets good for anywhere in the continental United States. Public Skating will also be available in Wings Stadium. The Road is Long The K-Wings snapped their nine game road-losing streak with their victory on Sunday against Missouri. The 9-game streak is the longest streak in the UHL.

New York State of Mind For the second time this season the K-Wings will make the road trip out east to battle both the Adirondack IceHawks and the Elmira Jackles. After spending Christmas in Kalamazoo, the K-Wings will travel to Glens Falls, New York to play the IceHawks on Friday, December 27th and Saturday 28th. The K-Wings will then continue their trip through New York State on Sunday, December 29th with a contest against the Jackals

Dreaming of a Brown Christmas On Sunday, K-Wing forward Jim Brown netted the K-Wings second hat trick of the season. The hat trick was also the 15th in K-Wings UHL franchise history. The K-Wings first hat trick of the year was on December 13th as Richard Keyes accomplished the feat against Adirondack.

Lawrence on a Tear With two assist in Sunday's victory over Missouri, K-Wing Mark Lawrence has extended his scoring streak to three games. Lawrence has tallied 4 points (1 goal and 3 assists).

The Obscure Stat of the Week With their victory against Missouri on Sunday, the K-Wings are 3-2-2 when tied entering the third period. In their franchise history, the K-Wings are 27-11-10 when tied heading into the third period.

Tickets Get Your Tickets!! Tickets for all K-Wing home games are now on sale. Catch all the action as your K-Wings play the very best the UHL has to offer. Tickets for are on sale by calling the K-Wings at 345-5101.

Get on Line This season the best to keep track of the K-Wings is to log onto www.kwings.com. The new site has player profiles, information about Wings Stadium events, and much more.

K-Wings on Radio Catch all the K-Wings games home and away on the K-Wings Radio Network (WLKM 95.9, WQSN 1660 AM, and WRCC 1400 AM). Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 76 regular season games and the playoffs. Pre game coverage begins with the Basic Communications 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 keep your radio tuned this season to the K-Wings Radio Network.

UP COMING GAMES Friday, December 27th @ Adirondack 7:30 PM Saturday, December 28th @ Adirondack 7:30 PM Sunday, December 29th @ Elmira 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 31st Vs Adirondack 7:00 PM (New Year's Eve Bash Sponsored by COOL 101 FM/WWMT)

-GET INTO THE GAME-

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