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IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Komets Rally to Eliminate K-Wings 5-3 in Game Six of Turner Cup Semi-Final

April 25, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI - A three-goal third period authored by the Fort Wayne Komets closed the book on the Kalamazoo Wings' 2008-09 season, as southwest Michigan's favorites fell 5-3 at home Saturday night in Game Six of a Turner Cup Semi-Final series.

The K-Wings carried a 3-2 lead into the third after Mark Nebus netted his second playoff goal late in the second frame. However, the Komets quickly reversed their fortunes with goals 1:30 apart by Justin Hodgman (4th) and Leo Thomas, his second of the contest, to surge ahead 4-3. David Hukalo (3rd) tacked on an insurance marker late to provide the final margin.

Hodgman's game-tying goal came on the power play from along the goal line, and Thomas' registered his game winner on a shorthanded breakaway at 2:39. Kalamazoo goalie Joel Martin later stoned Hodgman on a breakaway of his own to give the K-Wings a chance to rally back. Martin finished a heroic postseason run with 27 saves in Game Six, giving him a remarkable 127 stops in the final three tilts of the year.

First periods in the series had been rather uneventful, with only two goals scored total coming into Game Six, but the opening 20 minutes Saturday broke the trend decisively. The K-Wings had the first offensive thrust, with Justin Cross (1st) banging in a Lucas Drake rebound during a 5-on-3 power play at 8:04.

Tommy Lange (1st) followed just past the period's midpoint with a spectacular individual play, breaking in alone on Nick Boucher and stashing the puck under the Fort Wayne goaltender to make it 2-0. Shea Hamilton gave Lange the necessary space with a well-timed hit at the Kalamazoo blue line just moments prior to the goal.

The Komets then got their power play revved up, converting just nine seconds into their second opportunity courtesy of Thomas (1st) on the doorstep at 13:22. The K-Wings were still poised to carry a one-goal lead into the intermission, but Brad MacMillan's second of the playoffs in the final second of the frame got the Komets back on even terms.

The second period resembled a fencing match, with both clubs trading chances, hits and penalties, leading to three power-play chances for each side. Despite all the special teams play, the K-Wings grabbed their second lead of the game five seconds after a penalty to Komets captain Guy Dupuis.

Kalamazoo defenseman Chris Trick chased down a dump-in near the right corner, then turned to center the puck all in one motion. The pass found the stick blade of Nebus (2nd), who deposited a precise one-timer into the upper right corner of the net for a 3-2 lead at 14:23.

For Game Stats: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html?gameid=979230

Season tickets for the 2009-10 campaign are now on sale at Wings Stadium! For more information, call the Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

For more information about tonight's game, please contact Director of Public Relations/Broadcaster Mike Modugno at (269) 349-9772 extension 220.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 25, 2009


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