ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Walleye sets tone early in victory over K-Wings

December 20, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


KALAMAZOO- The Toledo Walleye took the first half of a home-and-home series against the Kalamazoo Wings with a 4-1 victory Saturday night at Wings Stadium.

Finding the loose puck in front of the K-Wings net, Justin Mercier (8th) put the Walleye ahead midway through the opening period. Scoring first continues to be a good omen for Toledo, who improved their record to 17-0-1-0 when scoring before their opposition.

Building on their lead 4:09 into the second period, Tyler Barnes found Shane Sims cutting towards the net for the defenseman's fourth goal of the season. With the assist, Barnes continued his impressive stretch earning points in 12 out of his last 13 games, including five straight games.

Bringing the K-Wings back to within a single goal just 11 seconds later, Curtis Valk became the first K-Wings player to reach double-digits in goals scored. Crashing the net, Valk redirected a Ludwig Blomstrand pass for the K-Wings lone goal of the night. The tally extended Valk's point streak to five games and his goal streak to a team season-high of four contests. Also extending his point streak on the marker was Gergo Nagy, who upped his point streak to five games with the helper.

Penalties doomed the K-Wings in the third period. Whistled for only one penalty in the first two periods, Kalamazoo committed three penalties in a span of three minutes late in regulation.

Capitalizing on a five-on-three power play, Toledo put the game out of reach with a redirected marker from Barnes (13th) with 4:47 remaining.

Kalamazoo's best scoring chance in the period occurred moments later when a penalty shot was award to Justin Taylor, after the forward was taken down on a breakaway. On the ensuing chance, Taylor's backhander was turned aside by Neil Conway, who made 35 saves in the victory.

With less than two minutes remaining, the Walleye reeled in their final goal on an empty-netter from Anthony Luciani (13th).

Kalamazoo and Toledo will meet again next Saturday, December 27th with a 5:30 p.m. encounter at Fifth-Third Ball Park in Toledo, Ohio during the ECHL's first-ever Outdoor Game.

The K-Wings will return home on Wednesday, December 31st with an 8 p.m. face-off versus the Cincinnati Cyclones during the 12 Annual New Year's Eve Bash. Your ticket to the game includes the biggest family-oriented New Year's Eve Party in southwest Michigan. Fans will be participate in a DJ public skate, meet the K-Wings, Keg Curling in the Annex and one fan will even receive an opportunity to win pizza for a year courtesy of Hungry Howie's.

Tickets for all K-Wings home games are currently on sale at Wings Stadium Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, including www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Fans that plan on attending multiple games can avoid service fees plus enjoy a discount from the single-game price by purchasing a 12, 24 or 36-game flexi-plan. These plans along with group (15 or more people) ticket packages may be ordered through the K-Wings front office by calling (269) 743-6011.

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ECHL Stories from December 20, 2014


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