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Victory Puts Kalamazoo in Tie for First in Division

November 9, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings News Release


Flint, MI- Drew Graves scored two goals, including the game winner in the third period, to cap off the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings three unanswered goals in their comeback victory over the Michigan Warriors on Wednesday night in Flint. The 4-3 victory leaves the Jr. K-Wings tied with the Port Huron Fighting Falcons atop the North Division standings.

Just over eight minutes into the first period, the Warriors struck first with a tally from AJ White. His team-leading tenth goal came when he slipped through the Kalamazoo defense and released a quick wrister from the slot and beat starting goalie, Ken MacLean, over his glove.

Only thirty-three seconds had passed after the goal by White before it was Kalamazoo's turn to get on the board. They pulled even on the eighth goal of the season from Kyle Gattelaro. Gattelaro found a soft-spot in the defense and got a back-hand feed from Trevor Boyd in the low-slot. He deked past Michigan goalie, Brach Tiller, and slid the puck in the back of the net.

The short-lived lead would only last for fifty seconds, as Michigan struck back with a quick score of their own. Chris Murray got his first career goal on a shot from the left circle that snuck through the five-hole of MacLean.

MacLean faced 22 shots from Michigan in the first period, saving 20 of them. Kalamazoo could only muster up 6 shots of their own in the opening frame.

The Warriors would strike first in the second as well. White scored his second of the game and his eleventh of the season when he poked home a rebound past a sliding MacLean off a big rebound from a Derek O'Flynn slap shot.

Kalamazoo would strike back later in the period as Graves scored his tenth of the year on a smooth deke that beat Tiller. Graves danced through the Michigan defense and eased the puck just inside the post and past the goal line.

Kalamazoo bounced back from their first period struggles to double up Michigan in shots on net in the second. They put up 16 shots to the opponents' eight.

The third period belonged to the Jr. K-Wings as they scored 3:25 into the period. Nick Kovalchik scored his third of the season when he scooped up a loose puck and slid it through the legs of tiller and over the goal line. The goal tied the game at three apiece.

Just over three minutes later, Graves would give Kalamazoo their first lead of the night. His second of the evening and eleventh of the season came off a Danny Hamburg shot from the left-wing side that bounced onto the outstretched stick of Graves, who promptly put it in the back of the net.

The goal by Graves would stand as Kalamazoo's victory snapped a two-game skid. The Michigan Warriors, however, had their losing streak increased to eight straight games.

Official games stats can be found at: http://pointstreak.com/prostats/gamesheet_full.html'gameid=1646855

The Jr. K-Wings will return to the Borgess Health Rink at Wings West again on Sunday, November 13th against the Jamestown Ironmen.

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