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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Wings Week In Review

March 30, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Record Last Week: 3-1-0 Overall Record 39-20-9

Game Rewind

Kalamazoo started the week on Wednesday (3/24), as they hosted the Missouri River Otters. The K-Wings jumped out to an early lead, which proved to be too much for the Otters to handle. Before the walls caved in on Missouri's playoff hopes, they would put a scare into Kalamazoo, as Chris Bell (10) scored 44 seconds into the game. The early goal served as a wake up call of the K-Wings. Kalamazoo found the equalizer midway into the period, when Andrew Luciuk (20) flipped a shot top shelf past Missouri's Duane Derksen to tie the game at 1-1. Later in the period, the K-Wings took the lead for good when Derksen denied Kalamazoo's Jeremy Vokes' initial shot, but recently acquired Mark Major (1), in his very first game as a K-Wing, jammed in the rebound to put Kalamazoo on top 2-1. With under minute left in the period, Kalamazoo struck again, this time it was Tyler Willis finding Jeff Antonovich open on the left wing, Antonovich (6) sent a slap shot past Derksen to give the K-Wings a 3-1 lead heading into the second period. Kalamazoo continued their scoring onslaught in the second period. With the K-Wings on the power play, Antonovich (7) lit the lamp again by sliding the puck just past the outstretch leg of Derksen to give Kalamazoo a 4-1 lead. The Otters fought their way back into the game by scoring two unanswered goals 17 seconds a part to make the score 4-3. Kalamazoo reestablished their two-goal cushion with just under a minute remaining in the second period, when rookie forward Jeff Campbell (1) took the puck out of the right corner, skated untouched to the Missouri net and shot the puck past Derksen. Kalamazoo put the game out of reach early in the final period, when Dersken got caught out of net trying to play a puck. The K-Wings capitalized on the Derksen's misfortune, as Luciuk created a turnover and found Campbell (2), who sent the puck into the unattended net. After a Jesse Heerema (15) goal for Missouri made the score 6-4 in favor of Kalamazoo, the K-Wings would find an answer once again, this time it was Tim Turner (16) that scored an empty net goal that put the final nail the coffin, as Kalamazoo defeated Missouri 7-4. The victory extended Kalamazoo's winning streak a UHL season best nine game-winning streak, while officially eliminating the Missouri River Otters from playoff contention.

The K-Wings were looking to continue their winning ways on Friday (3/27) when they traveled to Muskegon to battle the Fury. Muskegon started the game's scoring early in the first period while on the power-play, as Robin Bouchard (48) deflected a Todd Robinson shot from the blue line to give the Fury a 1-nothing lead. The K-Wings tied the game at 1-1 with less than a minute to play in the period with a goal from Tyler Willis (10). In the second period, B.J. Gaustad (11) snuck past the K-Wings defense and beat Chad Alban over his blocker to regain a 2-1 lead for Muskegon. The Fury would hang onto their 2-1 lead until the final period; however, the third period would belong to Kalamazoo. First, it was Tim Turner going the length of the ice and cut through three Muskegon players to score his 17th goal of the year to tie the game at 1-1. Later in the period, the K-Wings would put the game on ice, when Tyler Willis came up the right side of the attack zone and sent a cross rink pass to Daniel Carriere (17), who one-timed it passed Sylvain Daigle to give the K-Wings their first lead of the game. Prior to Friday, the Fury were 27-0-3 when they led going into the third period, would suffer their first defeat of the season and in the process dropped their five straight game, as the K-Wings extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 3-2 victory over Muskegon.

Kalamazoo's 10 game-winning streak came to an end on Saturday (3/27) as the Fort Wayne Komets defeated Kalamazoo 4-1 at Wings Stadium. The Komets, who were the last team prior the winning streak to defeat the K-Wings, used a three goal outburst in the opening period to put the K-Wings in a whole they couldn't get out of. The K-Wings lone goal of the game was scored in the second period, when Jeff Turner scored on a rebound to recorded his 11th power play goal and team leading 30th goal overall of the season. Fort Wayne's Ryan Severson concluded the game's scoring with his 17th of the year. Fort Wayne's Kevin St. Pierre stopped 37 shots to record his 37 victory of the year, while Mike Mantua saved 15 shots and recorded his first loss as a professional (3-0-1).

On Sunday (3/28) the K-Wings stayed at home to concluded their four game week against the Adirondack IceHawks. Kalamazoo dominated the contest from the start by scoring the game's first three goals, including two from Guy Dupuis (13,14). Dupuis (15) continued the K-Wings scoring in the second period by netting his first professional hat trick in his 14 year career. The K-Wings continued their scoring brilliance by scoring two more goals; both of which were assisted by Dupuis, who finished the night with 5 points. Kalamazoo's Mike Mantua knocked a side 21 shots to record his first shutout of the season, as the K-Wings got back to their winning ways with a 6-0 victory over Adirondack.

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Fast Forward

The K-Wings will make their final road trip of the regular season, when Kalamazoo hops on the bus for four games this week. On Wednesday (3/31) the K-Wings will face-off against the Quad City Mallards for the first of two meetings between the teams this week. Kalamazoo will make a return engagement to The Mark on Sunday (4/4), as the K-Wings conclude the road portion of their schedule against the Mallards. On the season, the K-Wings are 4-1-2 against their division rivals. The two games against Quad City are huge for Kalamazoo, who trails the Mallards by 9 points for second place in the Western Conference.

Kalamazoo continues their road swing on Friday (4/2), when they travel to the Family Arena to play the Missouri River Otters. This will be the last encounter between the teams this season. The K-Wings, who have already won the season series against Missouri with a record of 5-1-1, will be looking for their fourth straight victory over the Otters. In their past three games against Missouri, the K-Wings have outscored the River Otters by a total of 22-6.

Before the K-Wings finish the week against Quad City on Sunday, they will travel to Rockford for a Saturday (4/3) battle against the IceHogs. The K-Wings are 7-2-2 against the IceHogs this season. Rockford enters the week in fifth place in the Western Conference. While the IceHogs playoff hopes in the west are gone, they are very much in playoff of hunt in the Eastern Conference. Rockford, who is fighting for the final playoff spot as a crossover team in the Eastern Conference, starts the week 7 points behind the Elmira Jackals for that final playoff spot.

Player of the Week

For the third time in franchise history and the second time this season a K-Wings player has earned the UHL Sher-Wood Player of the Week. Guy Dupuis becomes the first K-Wings defenseman to receive the honor. Dupuis amassed a 8 point week (3 goals, 5 assists) in four games last week.

On a Roll

Besides being the player of the week, Guy Dupuis will enter the week on a eight game scoring streak. The scoring streak is the longest current point streak both on the K-Wings roster and in the UHL.

On the Road Again

Staring on Wednesday, the K-Wings will hit the road for their next four games. The four game trip will be the last road trip for Kalamazoo in the regular season.

Free Willie

Tyler Willis leads in the UHL in penalty minutes with 318. Willis' 318 minutes is the K-Wings UHL franchise record for both for PIMS in a season and a career.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

The K-Wings have out shot their opponents in 58 games this season. In fact, Kalamazoo has out shot their opponents in 20 straight games.

Tickets Get Your Tickets!!

Tickets for all K-Wing home games, including the playoffs 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.

Dupuis on the Radio

Join special guests Guy Dupuis and K-Wings Legend Neil Meadmore as they join 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 1660 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 31st @ Quad City 7:00 PM (CST)

Friday, April 2nd @ Missouri 7:30 PM (CST)

Saturday, April 3rd @ Rockford 7:05 PM (CST)

Sunday, April 4th @ Quad City 4:00 PM (CST)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 30, 2004


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