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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Wings Week in Review

April 24, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


In one of the best UHL games ever played in Wings Stadium; filled with hard-hitting play and fast-paced action; the K-Wings started their postseason on Friday (4/21) against the Motor City Mechanics. The Mechanics took the lead midway in the opening period with a power-play goal from Adam Edinger (1). Kalamazoo answered back at the 16:42 mark the first period, when Nick Bootland (1) spun loose from the right circle and fired off a slap shot past Rod Branch to tie the game at 1-1. The K-Wings took the lead for good early in the second period, when Lucas Drake (1) tipped in a power-play goal to give the K-Wings 2-1. Goaltender Joel Martin stopped 17 shots to earn the victory, giving the K-Wings a one game to none lead in the series.

Game Two of the series would also be played at Wings Stadium on Saturday (4/22). Kalamazoo's defense continued their stingy play, giving up just 26 shots, while the K-Wings were opportunistic connecting on their quality scoring chances en route to a 3-0 victory. Kalamazoo received two goals from Nick Bootland (2,3) and Dustin Virag (1) recorded the game-winner. Joel Martin earned his first shutout in his playoff career to give the K-Wings a two games to none lead in the series.

The K-Wings finished up their three games in three days on Sunday (4/23) at The Garage in Fraser, Michigan. Kalamazoo scored two goals in the first four minutes of the first period and never looked back in the teams 9-3 victory over the Mechanics. Nick Bootland and Jason Deitsch led all players in scoring with four points. Each player lit the lamp twice and added two assists, while Kory Karlander also added two goals in the victory. Joel Martin stopped 44 shots to secure the lopsided win and give the K-Wings a three games to none lead in the series.

Fast Forward
The K-Wings will continue Destination: Colonial Cup this Wednesday (4/26), as Kalamazoo travels to Fraser, Michigan to battle to Motor City Mechanics in Game Four of Round One of the UHL Playoffs. Kalamazoo leads the best of seven series three games to none. The K-Wings need one more victory to advance to the next round. If the Mechanics win on Wednesday, game five will be played at Wings Stadium this Saturday (4/29) at 7:30 p.m.

Leading the Pack
K-Wings Team Captain Nick Bootland has put up seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) in this postseason. The seven points and the five goals registered by Bootland lead all UHL players in playoff scoring.

Lighting the Lamp
The K-Wings set two UHL franchise records with their win on Sunday. The nine goals scored by Kalamazoo was the most in the playoff history, while their six goal margin of victory was their largest in their playoff history.

My Favorite Martin
Goaltender Joel Martin is keeping up where he left off in the regular season. Martin leads all UHL goaltenders in the playoffs in goals against average (1.33), shutouts (1), minutes played (180:00), and wins (3).

Killing Time
After killing 83.5% of their opponent's power-plays in the regular season, the K-Wings have stepped up their penalty kill in the playoffs. Kalamazoo is second in the UHL in this postseason, killing 93.8% of their opponent's power-plays.

The Obscure Stat of the Week
The K-Wings have played two UHL playoff games on April 22nd in their franchise's history. In both games, the K-Wings have shutout their opposition. Besides shutting out the Mechanics last night, the K-Wings also blanked the Fort Wayne Komets on April 22, 2004; both games were played at Wings Stadium.


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.

Rennette and Thompson on the Radio
Join special guests Tyler Rennette and Briane Thompson, 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
Wednesday, April 26th @ Motor City 7:30 PM (Colonial Cup Playoffs: Round One, Game Four)
*Saturday, April 29 Vs Motor City 7:30 PM (Colonial Cup Playoffs: Round One, Game Five)
*Monday, May 1st @ Motor City 7:30 PM (Colonial Cup Playoffs: Round One, Game Six)
*Tuesday, May 2nd Vs Motor City 7:00 PM (Colonial Cup Playoffs: Round One Game Seven)

(* Denotes Games that Will Only Be Played If Necessary)

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