ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Nailers Remain In First Place

Published on December 15, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- Tied after 40 minutes, the Wheeling Nailers used a four-goal outburst to remain in first place in the North Division with a 6-3 victory over the Kalamazoo Wings.

Even with just 14 skaters in their lineup, Wheeling did not hesitate out of the gates. It took the Nailers only 2:44 to grab a 1-0 lead on the K-Wings. Mickael Bedard (3rd) chipped in a loose puck right in front of Riley Gill, who made his second home start in his K-Wings career

With each team's most prolific goal scorer paving the way, the offense picked up in the second period. Immediately after Trent Daavettila intercepted a pass in the Wheeling zone, the forward found Andrew Fournier for his team-leading 12th goal of the season. The goal gives Fournier five goals in his last three games, while extending Daavettila's point streak to 10 games, which ties the team season-high set by Kory Karlander.

Another misplayed puck in the Nailers zone proved costly later in the stanza, when Patrick Asselin (7th) one-timed a Justin Taylor cross-rink pass. The assist gives Taylor points in six straight games, as well as points in nine of his ten games as a member of the K-Wings.

Wheeling pulled even 16:25 in the period with a tally from Alexander Smigelski, which was his team-leading 9th goal of the season.

In their previous five games, the K-Wings had been able to score a goal in the first three minutes of the third period. Unfortunately for Kalamazoo, not only did they not score in the first three minutes, they surrendered a goal.

With an innocent shot from the point, Peter Merth (1st) propelled the Nailers ahead for good with a goal 1:39 into the period.

Keeping momentum on their side, Casey Pierro-Zabotel (4th) lifted a right-circle wrister over Gill two minutes later.

Kalamazoo tried to rally moments later with a power-play marker from Asselin (8th), his second of the night, but it would be to no avail, as the Nailers would tack on two more goals from Mike Gershon (2nd) and an empty-netter from Smigelski (10th).

With allowing six goals, the K-Wings have surrendered three or more goals in 11 straight games, while the Nailers have registered five or more goals in five straight contests.

For Game Stats: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id8231 .

The K-Wings will continue their four-game home stand with the third game of the stand this Friday, December 17th versus the Reading Royals.

Friday's contest coincides with Frugal Fan Friday, featuring $1 beers and $1 hot dogs. The K-Wings will also be hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest with the winner receiving $300. Plus, there will also be a performance from nationally renowned country-group, Thompson Square, courtesy of B-93. Thompson Square is comprised of husband and wife team Keifer and Shawn Thompson. Click here to find out more about Thompson Square. These games will be the only two games between the K-Wings and Royals this season and the first since Reading knocked Kalamazoo out of last season's Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Royals start the week in second place in the Atlantic Division, one point behind division leader, the Elmira Jackals.

Also on Friday, K-Wings forward Bryan Jurynec, who will be celebrating his 27th birthday, will be donating his hair to Locks of Love during the first period intermission.

Catch all the K-Wings games, home and away, on the K-Wings Radio Network (95.9 FM WLKM & on kwings.com). Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 72 regular season games plus the playoffs. Pre-game coverage begins with the Kalsee Credit Union 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.

Single game tickets for the 2010-2011 season are on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office, Ticketmaster Outlets, including www.ticketmaster.com, Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, please call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

Tickets for all K-Wings home games are on sale now and range in price from $9.90-$14.90 for adults and only $6.90 for kids ages 12 and under. The ticket prices for all K-Wings premium night games (all colored ice games and New Year's Eve game) are just $1 more.

Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single game tickets advance because on the day of a game, K-Wings tickets are $1 more.

Check out the Kalamazoo Wings Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 15, 2010


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