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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Wings Week in Review

May 1, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


With a chance to advance out of the first round in the UHL playoffs for the second time in their UHL history and the first since moving from Madison (Wisconsin); the Kalamazoo Wings traveled to Fraser, Michigan to face-off against the Motor City Mechanics in Game Four of their First Round Series. In a defensive battle, the K-Wings struck first, midway in the opening period with a power-play goal from Kory Karlander. The goal from Karlander, which was his third of the postseason, proved to be the game-winner in the K-Wings 2-0 victory over the Mechanics. Karlander also lit the lamp late in the game with an empty-netter; while goaltender Joel Martin stopped all 39 shots he faced to earn the victory his second shutout of the playoffs. The victory gave the K-Wings their first UHL series victory since 1999-00, when they were the Madison Kodiaks and advances them to the semi-finals of the UHL Playoffs for the first-time in their UHL history.

Fast Forward

The K-Wings are still waiting to see who their opponent will be in the UHL Colonial Cup Semi-Finals. Kalamazoo starts the week knowing that their opposition will be the Rockford IceHogs, Adirondack Frostbite or the Quad City Mallards.

Kalamazoo was 2-2-1 against Rockford this season. Of their possible second round opponents, the IceHogs are the only team that has a playoff history against the K-Wings. Kalamazoo is 4-5 in postseason play against Rockford, which includes the 1999-00 season, when the Madison Kodiaks defeated Rockford two games to one. By defeating Fort Wayne four games to one, the IceHogs have already advanced to the semi-finals. The K-Wings would play the IceHogs in the next round if both Danbury and Muskegon win their series.

The K-Wings were 3-0-0 against the Frostbite this season. The two teams have never met in the postseason. Adirondack currently trails Muskegon three games to two in their best of seven series. The K-Wings would play the Frostbite in the next round if Adirondack comes back to defeat Muskegon and if Danbury defeats Quad City in their series.

Kalamazoo was 3-2-0 against Quad City in regular season. Like the Frostbite, the K-Wings have never played the Mallards in their playoff history. Quad City currently leads their best of seven series over Danbury three games to two. The K-Wings would play the Mallards in the next round, if they defeat Danbury in their series.

Playoff Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings

Goals Nick Bootland (5 Goals)

Assists Briane Thompson (4 Assists)

Points Nick Bootland, Kory Karlander (7 Points)

+/- Nick Bootland (+8)

Penalty Minutes Lucas Drake (19 Minutes)

Power Play Goals Lucas Drake (2 Goals)

Short Handed Goals Entire Team (0 Goals)

Game Winning Goals Lucas Drake, Dustin Virag, Jason Deitsch, Kory Karlander (1 GW)

Shots: Nick Bootland (20 Shots)

Shooting Percentage: Jason Deitsch (40.0%)

Goals Against Average: Joel Martin (1.00)

Save Percentage: Joel Martin (0.969)

Feels Like the First Time

With their series sweep over Motor City, Kalamazoo has made franchise history. For the first-time ever, the K-Wings have advanced to Semi-Finals of the UHL Colonial Cup Playoffs.

Shutting the Door

After breaking the UHL record for shutouts in a season with nine; goaltender Joel Martin has kept up his stingy ways in the postseason. Martin leads all UHL goaltenders with two shutouts in the playoffs.

Dishing It Out

Defenseman Briane Thompson has been finding the open man in the postseason. Thompson leads all K-Wings players with four assists. The four assists places Thompson tied for third place among all defensemen in helpers.

Killing Time

After killing 83% of their opponent's power-plays in the regular season, the K-Wings have turned it up in the postseason. Kalamazoo leads the UHL playoffs in penalty killing at 95.2%.

The Obscure Stat of the Week

Later this week, when the K-Wings begin the Colonial Cup Semi-Finals it will mark a first for Kalamazoo. Game one will be the first-time ever that the K-Wings will play a game in May in their UHL history.

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.

Carriere and Karlander on the Radio

Join special guests Daniel Carriere and Kory Karlander, 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

-Colonial Cup Semi-Finals; Dates, Times and Opponents to be Announce at a Later Date.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from May 1, 2006


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