IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Wings Week in Review

Published on March 6, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


The K-Wings started off the week on Wednesday (3/1) during the 3rd Annual Kalamazoo Public Schools Day presented by WKFR and Culver's. Kalamazoo's Lucas Drake electrified close to 4,000 fans, many of whom were KPS students, by netting his first professional hat trick and adding an assist during the K-Wings 5-0 victory over the Port Huron Flags. The K-Wings improved their record to 7-0-1 against the Flags on the year and goaltender Joel Martin stopped 23 shots to record his seventh shutout of the season. The seven shutouts by Martin puts him within one shutout of the league record of eight shutouts held by former K-Wing Chad Alban and current Fort Wayne Komet Kevin St. Pierre, who both established the record during the 2003-04 season.

Kalamazoo continued their three-game home stand on Friday (3/3), as the Danbury Trashers came to Wings Stadium. K-Wings Captain Nick Bootland put on a scoring display, by scoring his first and the team's seventh hat trick of the season. Tim Turner and Jason Deitsch also contributed goals for Kalamazoo, who defeated Danbury 5-2. Joel Martin stopped a season high 42 shots to preserve his 26th victory of the season.

The K-Wings concluded the week on Saturday (3/4) at Wings Stadium against the Missouri River Otters. Kalamazoo scored the game's first five goals en route to a 7-1 victory over Missouri. Jason Deitsch, who scored the K-Wings first goal of the game, extended his goal streak to eight games and his point streak to seventeen. Kalamazoo's special teams proved to be a factor in the victory, as the K-Wings went 3 for 8 on the man advantage, while stopping all four of Missouri power-play chances. The win extends the K-Wings winning streak to five games and their unbeaten streak to eight (7-0-1).

Fast Forward
The Kalamazoo Wings will hit the ice three times this week starting this Friday night (3/10), as the K-Wings play their first of two games this weekend against the Muskegon Fury. Friday's game will be a road game for Kalamazoo. The two teams will meet again this Sunday (3/12) on WKFR K-Wings Kidz Club Day. On the season, the K-Wings are 4-2-1 against their intra-state rivals. Muskegon starts the week just one point ahead of Kalamazoo for first place honors in the Central Division. Also, following Sunday's game, fans will have their last chance of the season to skate with their favorite K-Wings players. Admission for the post-game skate is $5, skate rental (if needed) is $2.

On Saturday (3/11), the K-Wings will start a four-game home stand against the Port Huron Flags. Saturday night is also UHL Cross Checks Colon Cancer; Molly McMaster, a cancer survivor, will dress for the K-Wings and will be in the starting lineup. Kalamazoo is 7-0-1 against the Flags this season. Port Huron starts the week in fifth place in the Central Division (45 points) and on a five-game winless streak.

Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings
Goals Jason Deitsch, Nick Bootland (29 Goals)
Assists Daniel Carriere (59 Assists)
Points Kory Karlander, Daniel Carriere (60 Points)
+/- Greg Labenski (+49)
Penalty Minutes Tyler Willis (269 Minutes)
Power Play Goals Jason Deitsch (14 Goals)
Short Handed Goals Mike Manley (6 Goals)
Game Winning Goals Tyler Rennette, Kory Karlander, Tyler Willis (5 GW)
Shots: Nick Bootland (264 Shots)
Shooting Percentage: Jason Deitsch (25.0%)
Shootout Goals: Brad Church, Damian Surma (4 Goals)
Shootout Percentage: Brad Church (66.7%)
Goals Against Average: Joel Martin (2.15)
Save Percentage: Joel Martin (0.923)
Deitsch Reaches 17
Forward Jason Deitsch will start the week on a 17-game point streak and eight-game goal streak. Both the point and goal streaks are season highs for the K-Wings.

On a Roll
The K-Wings start the week on an eight-game unbeaten streak. In their past eight games, Kalamazoo has a record of 7-0-1, which includes a five-game overall winning streak. The five-game winning streak is the longest winning streak in the UHL, while the eight-game unbeaten streak ties a season high for the K-Wings.

Four in a Row
Besides the overall winning streak, the K-Wings will be looking to extend their road winning streak. Kalamazoo has won four straight road games, which is one shy of their season high.

A Night of Milestones
Last Saturday (3/4), three K-Wings players set milestones. Mark Vilneff set the K-Wings UHL franchise record for games played (216), Kory Karlander played in his 600th career game and Daniel Carriere record his 200th career point during Kalamazoo's 7-1 victory over Missouri.


The Obscure Stat of the Week
The K-Wings didn't have problems scoring last week. In their three games, the K-Wings outscored their opposition 17-3.


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 are on sale now by calling the Wings Stadium Ticket Office 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, much more.

Martin and Ruff on the Radio
Join special guests Joel Martin and Lee Ruff as they join Head Coach Mark Reeds and the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno on "K-Wings Live". The show is on Your Local Sports Leader AM 1660 WQSN Monday's from 6-7 PM at The Cabana Bar and Grill inside the Holiday Inn Kalamazoo on South 11th Street.

K-Wings on Radio
Catch all the K-Wings games home and away on the K-Wings Radio Network (WLKM 95.9 FM and Your Local Sports Leader AM 1660 WQSN). Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 76 regular season games plus the playoffs. Pre-game coverage begins with the Digital Highway 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.

Upcoming Games
Friday, March 10th @ Muskegon 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 11th Vs Port Huron 7:30 PM (UHL Fights Colon Cancer Night)
Sunday, March 12th Vs Muskegon 4:00 PM (WKFR K-Wings Kidz Club Day)
Friday, March 17th Vs Elmira 7:30 PM (World Famous St. Patrick's Day
"Green Ice" Game Presented by Fifth-Third Bank, WRKR & WOTV)

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 6, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central