Sports stats



Thrice As Nice

April 7, 2012 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- Kalamazoo gets a hat trick from Jacob McDowell and a pair of goals from Andrew Graves on their way to a 7-3 victory over Traverse City and a 2-0 series lead.

The first period again started with a quick goal but today it was Traverse City capitalizing. Sean Murphy (1st) found the back of the net only 1:15 into the opening frame. The unassisted goal gave the North Stars the 1-0 lead over the Jr. K-Wings.

Kalamazoo would answer back with a goal of their own, later in the period. Andrew Graves(1st) was the beneficiary of some slick passes from Robbie Payne and Brock Raffaele on the power play 12:57 into the first.

Traverse City found the score sheet again only three minutes later when Nathan Harris (1st) slotted home the North Stars' second goal of the game that came off of a 2-on-1 break. Murphy was credited with an assist giving him two points in the opening period and the North Stars a 2-1 lead heading into the intermission.

The Jr. K-Wings started the 2nd period on the man advantage and they took advantage. Chris Leone (1st) let a rocket go from the point that found the twine 1:31 into the period. Alex Brooks was credited with the lone assist on the power play goal.

Kalamazoo again found pay dirt when Jacob McDowell(2nd) buried a wrist shot off of pass from Brandon Flood that came on a 2-on-1 break. The goal gave Kalamazoo a 3-2 lead only 3:38 into the 2nd period.

The lead did not last long for Kalamazoo as the North Stars answered with a tying goal of their own. Eric Rivard scored his 1st of the game and series off shot by Harris.

However, Kalamazoo would regain the lead only mere moments later. Graves scored his second of the game and series with a wrist shot that beat Traverse City goaltender Kyle Laslo. The goal gave the Jr. K-Wings a 4-3 lead 11:27 into the 2nd period and gave Raffaele his second assist of the game.

The Jr. K-Wings would extend their lead to two goals when McDowell (3rd) connected with his 2nd goal of the game. The goal was an almost identical imprint of McDowell's first goal as it came off of a 2-on-1 break and a nice feed from Flood.

The 3rd period brought more of the same for the Jr. K-Wings.

Payne (2nd) put home the rebound off of a Graves shot to give Kalamazoo the 6-3 lead. The assist gave Graves three points for the game.

With only 1:12 remaining in the game, McDowell (4th) caps off the hat trick with a rebound stuff. The goal gave Kalamazoo a 7-3 lead.

When the final horn sounded, Kalamazoo took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series with a 7-3 victory over the visiting North Stars. Jacob McDowell scored three goals and Andrew Graves added a pair en route to the win.

The Jr. K-Wings travel to Traverse City April 13th to take on the North Stars in game 3 of the best-of-five Divisional Semifinal.

• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...

North American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central