ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Wings Week in Review

Published on January 27, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


For the Week of January 26th-February 2nd

Record Last Week: 1-1-0 Overall Record 18-21-7

Game Rewind The K-Wings hit the ice twice last week. Kalamazoo started the week on Friday (1/24), as they hosted the Missouri River Otters at Wings Stadium. Missouri scored their lone goal midway in the opening period, as Joe Ritson scored his 18th of the season, to give Missouri a 1-0 lead. From there it would turn to the Jim Brown show. Brown would score the games next three goals (14,15,16) to record his second hat trick of the season. What made Brown's hat trick improbable was the way he received it. Brown scored 2 shorthanded goals, and then put the game on ice with an empty net goal in the final minute of regulation to get the K-Wings their 15th hat trick in team history. K-Wings goaltender Chad Alban was stellar between the pipes, as he knocked a side 36 shots to record his 11th victory of the season.

Kalamazoo found itself in a tight game on Saturday (1/25) as they hosted the Muskegon Fury. Jim Brown continued his scoring heroics as he netted his 17th of the season at the 5:18 park of the period to give the K-Wings a 1-0 lead. Just two minutes after the Brown gave the K-Wings the lead; Muskegon's Robin Bouchard would take it away, as Bouchard scored his 20th of the season to tie the game at 1-1. Midway in the opening period, the K-Wings regained the lead as Fury netminder Sylvain Daigle turned the puck over in his own zone, which led to Patrick O'Leary scoring his fourth goal of the year to make the score 2-1 Kalamazoo heading into the second period. In the second period, the Fury's power play capitalized on its second opportunity of the game, as Scott Hollis scored his 21 of the year to tie the game at 2-2. Kalamazoo would answer Muskegon's goal 45 seconds later, when Jim Brown netted his second of the game and 22nd of the season. In the third period, Muskegon used a fury of shots to mount a comeback. Muskegon stormed back scoring the game's next three goals to take a 5-3 lead. Kalamazoo brought the Fury lead to a single goal, when Matt Kruzich scored his first goal as a professional with just under 3 minutes to play in regulation. Unfortunately, the K-Wings wouldn't get any closer, as Andrew Luciuk added an empty net goal to give the Fury a 6-4 victory over the K-Wings.

Fast Forward Kalamazoo will hit the ice three times this week. The K-Wings will start the week on Wednesday (1/29) as they host their long time rivals the Fort Wayne Komets. The game will mark the 143rd meeting between the K-Wings and the Komets at Wings Stadium. The game will also feature the reigning UHL Sher-Wood Player/Goaltender of the Week. Jim Brown earned the Player of the Week honors by scoring 5 goals in just two games for the K-Wings, while Komets goaltender poster a perfect 3-0-0 record and a GAA of 1.67 to nab the leagues Goaltender of the Week. The K-Wings are 1-1-1 on the season versus their longtime rivals, and 8-14-8 overall.

The K-Wings will conclude their five game home stand on Friday (1/31), as they host the Port Huron Beacons. Fans are encouraged to arrive to the game early, as Friday will be Zamboni Beanie Baby Night sponsored by WLKM. The first 1,000 fans into Wings Stadium will receive a FREE K-Wings Zamboni Beanie Baby. The K-Wings are 3-1-0 against their interstate rivals, including a 1-0 shootout victory that last time the teams played back on January 17th.

Kalamazoo finishes off the week, as they head north to play division rivals the Muskegon Fury. The K-Wings will be looking to avenge a 6-4 loss to the Fury last week at Wings Stadium. The game will be eighth of ten meetings between the teams this season. Kalamazoo is 8-21-4 lifetime against Muskegon, and 1-4-2 this year.

Brown Named Player of the Week The UHL has named forward Jim Brown it's Sher-Wood Player of the Week for week 16 of the season. Brown tallied 5 goals in just two games for the K-Wings.

Three's Company Besides being named Player of the Week, Brown will also carry a point streak into his game on Wednesday. Brown enters the week on a three game scoring streak. Jim has scored 5 goals and 1 assist in his last 3 games.

Five Alive Despite their loss to Muskegon on Saturday, the K-Wings have been finds ways to win. Kalamazoo enters the week winners of five of their last eight games.

Zamboni's Anyone When the K-Wings play the Port Huron Beacons on Friday (1/31), they will do so on K-Wings Zamboni Beanie Baby Night. The first 1,000 fans at Wings Stadium will receive a free K-Wings Zamboni Beanie Baby courtesy of WLKM Radio.

Vilneff on the Radio Join special guest Mark Vilneff, as he joins General Manager/Head Coach Paul Pickard and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno on The Sports Station 1600 AM WQSN. The show runs from 6:30-7PM at Gallagher's Eatery on Stadium Drive.

The Obscure Stat of the Week The K-Wings have been near perfect with the lead entering the third period. Kalamazoo is 9-2-2 when having the lead entering the third period. Lifetime the K-Wings are 82-5-7 when leading heading into the final period.

Tickets Get Your Tickets!! Tickets for all K-Wings home games are now on sale. Catch all the action as your K-Wings play the very best the UHL has to offer. Tickets 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 Wednesday, January 29th Vs Fort Wayne 7:00 PM (Family Four Pack, AAA 2 for 1, Rocker Card) Friday, February 1st Vs Port Huron 7:30 PM (K-Wings Zamboni Beanie Baby Night sponsored by WLKM) Saturday, February 2nd @ Muskegon 7:30 PM -Get into the Game -

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