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Kalamazoo Wins, Improves Home Record to 12-2-1

January 21, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- Linemates Robbie Payne, Brock Raffaele and Drew Graves combined for seven points (3 goals, 4 assits) and the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings beat the Michigan Warriors by a score of 5-3 on Saturday at the Borgess Health Rink at Wings West.

The Jr. K-Wings jumped out to yet another quick lead against the Warriors, as it only took them 5:10 to light the lamp for the first time of the afternoon. A power play tally from Graves (18th) made the score 1-0 early in the first period.

Three minutes and fifty seconds later, it would be Kalamazoo finding the score sheet for the second time of the period. Danny Hamburg cleaned up a rebound off a drive from Nick Kovalchik for his fifth of the season.

Michigan wouldn't be silenced for the whole period, as Martin Gruse (10th) scored on a howitzer of a slap shot from the high slot that beat Kalamazoo goalie, Alex Okicki over his stick side. The goal brought the game to within one, which is how the two teams ended the first period of play.

Michigan tied the game up early in the second period off the ninth goal of the season from Chris Eckler.

The tied score only lasted for 1:58, as Taylor Burden notched his fifth of the season, opening the score back up in favor of the Jr. K-Wings.

Just over half way through the period, Payne scored his team-leading 22nd of the season. Payne has scored in two consecutive games, after going the previous seven without a goal.

Michigan responded with a power play tally from Gruse, his second of the game and eleventh of the campaign at the 13:28 mark.

A minute and five seconds later, Raffaele gave Kalamazoo their two-goal lead back. The goal was his fifth of the season. In his five games since joining the Jr. K-Wings, Raffaele has posted nine points (5 goals, 4 assists).

Okicki (10-7-1) secured the victory for Kalamazoo by making 28 saves on 31 shots. Kalamazoo improved their home record to 12-2-1, and saw their record against the Warriors improve to 9-1-0

The Jr. K-Wings will return to the Borgess Health Rink at Wings West again on Sunday, January 22nd against the Traverse City North Stars.

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