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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Shorten Bench to Much too Overcome in Kalamazoo's 4-3 Loss to Elmira

December 17, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- Finishing the contest with only 10 skaters and trying to kill of a five-minute major wasn't a good recipe for victory as the Kalamazoo Wings dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to Elmira Jackals Saturday Night at Wings Stadium.

A turnover in the neutral zone led to a two-on-zero rush for the Jackals and a goal for Louis Caporusso (3rd) 1:41 into the opening period.

K-Wing fans only had to wait five minutes later to throw their teddy bears on the ice, as Justin Taylor poked the puck free and scored off the turnover to tie the game at 1-1. Taylor, who extended his goal streak to three games, has scored four goals during the streak.

Later in the period, the Jackals earned their one of their best scoring chances in the period and for the second straight night a K-Wings opponent earned a penalty shot opportunity, when Dustin Gazley was dragged down on a breakaway.

Coming out of the net to challenge the ensuing shot, Maxime Clermont forced Gazley's shot wide. The penalty shot attempt was fourth tried against K-Wings this season, all of which have been unsuccessful. For Elmira, the penalty shot was their first missed since March 27, 2011 (Yannick Tifu) also against Kalamazoo.

Just like the first period, Elmira struck first in the period with a goal from Jack Downing (6th), from behind the K-Wings net, Downing's centering pass hit off the back of Clermont and into the net to put the Jackals ahead 2-1.

Pulling even later in the period, the K-Wings tied the game at 2-2 with a rebound marker from Darryl Bootland (6th). The goal extended Bootland's point streak to six games.

Scoring in similar fashion as he did the first period, Caporusso (4th) earned his second of the night on a breakaway to the put the Jackals up 3-2 just 1:05 into the third period.

Always resilient, the K-Wings fought back for a third-time to tie the game midway in the stanza. After being drilled in the wall, Sam Ftorek (6th) kept control of the puck and rifled the puck past Timo Pielmeier.

Fitting that the Saturday "Celebrity" Series guest were Flippenout, as the K-Wings and Jackals flipped out 13:30 into the final period. Following a hit by Bootland, which led to a five-minute boarding major and three separate fights that gave the K-Wings only 10 skaters to finish the game, Elmira would have an extended power-play.

Capping off a four-point night, Caporusso (5th) recorded the game-winner on a hat trick scoring with a wrist shot from the right circle 14:29 into the period.

Kalamazoo finished the game 0-for-6 on the power-play, while Elmira went 1-for-3. The victory snaps the K-Wings season-high five-game unbeaten (4-0-0-1) and four-game winning streak.

For Game Stats: http://echl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=9045.

Kalamazoo will hit the road this Wednesday, December 21st for a 7:35 p.m. encounter against North Division rival, the Cincinnati Cyclones at the U.S. Bank Arena.

The K-Wings will return home this Friday, December 23rd with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Toledo Walleye on Frugal Fan Friday, featuring $1 Beers, $1 Pepsi products and $1 Hot Dogs. Prior to Friday night's game, the K-Wings will unveil a new award named after the first-ever player and captain in K-Wings history, Al Genovy.

Single-game tickets for the upcoming 2011-2012 season are on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. 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 $12.90 and $16.90 for adults and only $6.90 for kids ages 12 and under. The price 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 in advance because tickets purchased on the day of a game increase by $1.

For more information about tonight's game, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.

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