ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Late Overtime Winner Lifts Mallards over Wings

Published on January 15, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


MOLINE, IL- The Kalamazoo Wings were backstopped by 38 saves from Joel Martin on Friday, but were bested by a late game winner in overtime, as they dropped a 3-2 final to the Quad City Mallards at iWireless Center.

The opening period saw each team with one power play opportunity, but neither team was able to crack their opponent's goalie. Martin made 13 first-period saves, and his Quad City counterpart, Steve Michalek, made eight stops of his own.

The Wings were able to open up the game's scoring and take a 1-0 lead early in the second period with a Charlie Vasaturo tally. After Ben Wilson carried to the right wing side, he slid a pass to Vasaturo, who poked the puck in from the top of the left circle after catching Michalek out of position.

The game was equalized less than three minutes later, as the Mallards stole the puck from the Wings and Sam Warning fed Mike Monfredo in the high-slot for his fourth goal of the season.

While operating on their second power play of the contest, Kalamazoo generated another one-goal lead. After a save on a Ludwig Blomstrand try from the right wing, Dane Fox chopped at the rebound from a tight angle and muscled the puck through the pads of Michalek and into the goal for his team-leading 13th marker of the season.

The Mallards were again able to tie the contest late in the period after benefiting from artistic puck movement through center ice. Vladimir Nikiforov feathered a pass to the tape of Matt Carey, whose left-wing snap shot snuck past Martin and into the goal.

The third period followed the script of the first, with neither team able to capitalize on a multitude of chances with the Wings killing off three critical Mallards' power plays down the stretch to force overtime.

After the first four-and-a-half minutes passed without a winner, the Mallards were able to squeak one past Martin on a backdoor feed from Darren McMillan to Matt Neal. The game winner came with just 19 seconds remaining in the extra frame.

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