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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Wings Week In Review

March 23, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Record Last Week: 3-0-0 Overall Record 36-19-9

Game Rewind

Kalamazoo started the week on Wednesday (3/17), as they hosted the Muskegon Fury on the 23rd Annual "World Famous" Green Ice Game Presented by Fifth-Third Bank. The Fury opened the scoring in the first period with a goal from Todd Robinson (20). Muskegon held onto their one goal lead until the second period, when Jeff Antonovich (2) scored on a wrist shot from between the circles. Kalamazoo took the lead in the third period, when Antonovich moved from behind the net and found a streaking Guy Dupuis (12) to put the K-Wings up 2-1. Muskegon fought their way back to tie the game at 2-2, when Robinson (21) followed up his own rebound by poking the puck passed Chad Alban for his second goal of the game. The game would eventually head into a shootout and in the extra session, Kalamazoo's Tim Turner ended the game by netting the lone goal in the six player showdown giving the K-Wings a 3-2 victory over Muskegon.

The K-Wings were looking to get closer to a playoff birth on Friday (3/19) as they finished the home and home series against the Fury in Muskegon. The Fury started the game's scoring in the first period, when David Noel-Bernier (19) slipped by the K-Wings defense and scored on a one-timer to give the Fury a 1-0 lead. Kalamazoo answered back in the second period with three unanswered goals. First, it was Joe Ritson (14) scoring on a wrist shot from the slot to knot the game at 1-1. The K-Wings took the lead six minutes later, when Ritson stole the puck and found a wide open David Hukalo (10), who slid the puck past Sylvain Daigle to give Kalamazoo a 2-1 lead. While on the power play, the K-Wings would get the eventual game-winning goal, as Daniel Carriere (16) scored from the blue line to put the K-Wings up 3-1. Muskegon attempted a comeback later in the period with a goal from Sean Robertson, but the night would belong to Kalamazoo. Hukalo (11) concluded the game's scoring in the third period by capping off a three on two odd man rush by netting his second goal of the game. K-Wings goaltender Mike Mantua in his first game as a pro knocked aside 21 shots to registered to win, as the K-Wings defeated the Fury by the final 4-2. The K-Wings victory coupled with a Missouri shootout win over Rockford puts Kalamazoo in the playoffs.

Kalamazoo finished off last week on Saturday (3/20), as they hosted the Richmond RiverDogs. Unlike the first two games of the week, it was the K-Wings that got on the scoreboard first, as Jeff Antonovich netted his third goal of the season to put the K-Wings up 1-0. Kalamazoo extended their lead midway into the period, when Andrew Luciuk (19) sniped a wrist shot from the left circle. Richmond's Francis Belanger (2) cut the K-Wings lead in half after he converted on a K-Wings turnover in their own zone to make the score 2-1 in favor of Kalamazoo. The score remained the same until the second period, that's when Mark Vilneff intercepted a pass and found Tim Turner for a breakaway shorthanded goal to give Kalamazoo a 3-1 lead. Later in the period, Kalamazoo's power play would extend their lead to 4-1, when Luciuk (20) deflected a blue line shot from Jim Dube. The RiverDogs answered back with less than five minutes remaining in the second period, as Belanger connected on a one-timer from between the circles to cut the K-Wings lead to 4-2. Kalamazoo continued their offensive onslaught scoring two goals in the final four minutes of the period, both of which where scored by Antonovich (4,5). The hat trick by Antonovich, was his first of the season and the fourth by a K-Wings player this season. In the third period, the Dogs' would attempt a comeback scoring the games next three goals, but it wouldn't be enough, as the K-Wings would go on to defeat the RiverDogs by the final fo 6-5 and collect their 8th straight victory.

Fast Forward

The K-Wings will up their 8 game winning streak on the line four times this week. Kalamazoo will start the week at home against the Missouri River Otters. The K-Wings are 5-1-1 against the River Otters this season. In their last two games, the K-Wings have outscored the Otters by combined score of 15-2. The K-Wings aren't the only team heading into the week on a winning streak. Missouri will start winners of their last two games, including a shootout victory over Rockford last Friday that clinched a playoff birth for Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo will continue the week on Friday (3/26), when they play for the final time in the regular season the Muskegon Fury. The K-Wings are 3-5-2 against their intrastate rivals this season; however, the K-Wings did win both encounters against the Fury last week.

After playing in Muskegon, the K-Wings will finish off the week at home with two games. On Saturday (3/27), the Fort Wayne Komets will come to town. This will be the second consecutive game for Kalamazoo against a possible first round playoff opponent. On the season, the K-Wings are 4-4-0 against the defending Colonial Cup Champions.

Kalamazoo will finish off the week on Sunday (3/28), when they host the Adirondack IceHawks. This will be the first meeting between the teams and the first of three meetings before the end of the season. All three meetings against the IceHawks this season will be played at Wings Stadium.

Major Signing

The K-Wings have added two more pieces to the puzzle. Kalamazoo have signed forward Mark Major and defenseman Mike Jarmuth. Major is a physical forward that has played in the highest levels of hockey, while Jarmuth is a rookie d-man that has just finished his college career at Western Michigan.

Playoff Bound

For the first time since the 98-99 season the K-Wings will be heading to playoff series. Kalamazoo clinched their first UHL playoff series birth last Friday with their victory over Muskegon coupled with Missouri's shootout win over Rockford.

Keep Up the Winning Ways

The K-Wings enter the game on a eight game-winning streak. Kalamazoo's eight game winning streak is not only their longest of the season, it is also the longest in their UHL history and ties the longest streak of any team this season in the league.

Two Records Down, One More to Go Kalamazoo will be looking to rewrite another record this week. Already this season, the K-Wings have established a new franchise record for winning streak and points in a season. The next win for Kalamazoo will also tie their team's UHL record for most wins in a season established during the 2000-01 season.

Playoff Tickets on Sale

Tickets for the upcoming Colonial Cup Playoffs will go on sale to the general public this Wednesday at 10 am. On Wednesday, fans will get the opportunity to purchase either single game or playoff strips. Season Ticket Holders will get a chance to secure their playoff strips this Tuesday, a day before they go on sale to the public, Season Ticket Holders can only purchase their playoff strips on Tuesday not single game tickets.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

The K-Wings are the only team in hockey that has goaltenders that have scored goals in college. Chad Alban scored his goal while at Michigan State and Mike Mantua netted his while at Western Michigan University.

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 all K-Wing home games are on sale by calling the K-Wings at (269) 345-5101.

Get on Line

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

Antonovich on the Radio

Join special guest Jeff Antonovich as he joins Head Coach Mark Reeds, the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno, and WQSN Sports Director Ryan Maguire tonight on "K-Wings Live". The show is on The Sports Station 1600 AM WQSN Monday's from 6-7PM live from The Sports Forum on Mosel.

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 Countdown to Face-Off 15 minutes prior to the drop of the puck. For the most complete coverage of the K-Wings from the Opening Face-Off to the Final Buzzer keep your radio tuned to the K-Wings Radio Network this season.

Upcoming Games

Wednesday, March 24th Vs Missouri 7:00 PM (Classic Hits 96.5 Classic Ticket Pack Night)
Friday, March 26th @ Muskegon 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 27th Vs Fort Wayne 7:30 PM (WRKR Craziest Fan Night)

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 23, 2004


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