ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Week In Review for the Week of October 14th-20th

Published on October 15, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Record Last Week: 1-1-0 Overall Record 1-1-0

Game Rewind The K-Wings started their 2002-2003 season last Friday night (10/11) as they traveled to Port Huron to battle the Beacons. For the Beacons, besides being the first game of the new season, it was also their first game in team history. Port Huron would get the scoring started early in the game, as Chris MacKenzie's (1st) slap shot from the right circle gave the Beacons a early 1-nothing lead. MacKenzie would extend the Beacon lead at the 2:21 mark of the period, with his second goal of the season. The "Chris MacKenzie Show" would conclude later in the period, as Chris netted the Beacons first hat trick in team history at the 17:26 mark of the first period to give Port Huron a 3-0 lead. The K-Wings would get on the board late in the opening period, when Michael Ford (1st) scored a goal with less then a minute remaining to make the score 3-1 Port Huron heading into the second period. The lone goal scored in the second period was netted by the K-Wings, as Peter Roed's (1st) wrist shot from the slot, cut the Beacons lead to 3-2 heading into the final period. Neither team would score in the final 20 minutes, as Port Huron led by MacKenzie's hat trick slipped by the K-Wings by the final of 3-2. The K-Wings were led by Chad Alban, who was incredible between the pipes for Kalamazoo, as the netminder stopped 35 shots in the loss.

Kalamazoo would continue their three game road swing the following night (10/12), as they traveled to Muskegon to play the defending Colonial Cup Champions the Muskegon Fury. The game would stay scoreless until have way into the opening period, when the K-Wings could capitalize on a face-off deep in the Muskegon zone. Herman Hultgren's (1st) slap shot from the left point would put the K-Wings up 1-nothing. Muskegon would answer the K-Wings goal with a goal by Andrew Luciuk (Lou-see-uk) to tie the game up at 1-1. The K-Wings would regain the lead at the 15:08 mark of the first period, when Peter Roed (2nd) intercepted a Fury pass and scored a shorthanded breakaway goal to give the K-Wings a 2-1 lead heading into the second period. Kalamazoo's special teams would continue to shine in the second period, as Kurt Miller (1st) would give the K-Wings a 3-1 lead off of his power-play goal. Muskegon would score a power-play goal of their own later in the period, as Robin Bouchard's first goal of the season made the score 3-2 Kalamazoo heading into the final period. In the third period, the Fury would tie the game with a power-play goal from Josh Burk (1st). From there it would be all K-Wings, as Kalamazoo would score the eventual game-winner at the 12:32 mark of the third period on a power-play goal by Justin Cardwell (1st). With: 40 to play in the game, the K-Wings would add an insurance goal, as Richard Keyes (1st) scored a shorthanded empty net goal, as the K-Wings went on to defeat Muskegon 5-3.

Fast Forward The K-Wings will hit the frozen floors of the United Hockey League twice this weekend, as they will play a home and home series against the Flint Generals. Game one will be on Friday night (10/18), as the K-Wings travel to Flint. Both teams will return to Wings Stadium on Saturday (10/19). Game time for both games will be at 7:30 pm. The game on Saturday will also be the home opener for the K-Wings. Opening night will coincide with Kalamazoo Wings Fanfest 2002 presented by National Pastime Sports. The event will begin at 4:00 pm and will include interactive exhibits for fans, a free concert, a beer garden, and a pyrotechnic show right before the game.

The K-Wings will enter the week with a record of 1-1-0. In their first two games the K-Wings received spectacular goaltending by Chad Alban, as well as a 5-point week from forward Peter Road. The Flint Generals enter the week with a record of 0-1-1. Flint lost in a shootout in their season opener against Quad City by the score of 7-6. Of the 12 regulation goals scored between the teams only one was scored during even strength. On Sunday (10/13), in a game that featured 140 total penalty minutes, the Generals lost to the Adirondack IceHawks 6-1. Flint is led by Gary Roach and Bobby Reynolds, who each have 2 goals and 1 assist in their first two games.

Roed Work In the K-Wings first two games, one of the team's standouts has been forward Peter Roed. Peter has tallied 5 points (2 goals and 3 assists) for the K-Wings. The former San Jose Shark draft pick leads the K-Wings in scoring.

Isn't That Special Last season, the K-Wings special teams were 14th in the UHL on the power play (14%) and 12th in penalty killing (79%). Kalamazoo has already shown signs of improvement in both categories, as the K-Wings enter this week 4th in the league on the power play (22%) and 5th in penalty killing (82%). In their last game, on Saturday (10/12) against Muskegon the K-Wings scored 4 of their 5 goals with their special teams (2 power play and 2 shorthanded)

Wounded Wings K-Wing forward Michael Ford was injured during the team's game Friday (10/11) game against Port Huron and was placed on the teams' 21-day injured reserve list. Ford joins Glendon Cominetti (10 day) and Bryan Farquhar (7 day), who are already on the K-Wings IR.

K-Wings Add a Third Goaltender The Kalamazoo Wings have signed goaltender Jeff Reynaert (Rain-ert). Jeff will join Chad Alban and Brian Rogers as K-Wing goaltenders. Reynaert played the past four seasons with Western Michigan University. After graduation, Jeff also played 3 regular season games with the Mobile Mysticks (ECHL).

Getting Familiar with Flint The K-Wings and the Flint Generals will get to know one another very well in the beginning part of the season. The K-Wings will play 3 of their 7 games in the month of October against Flint, including two games this weekend as part of a home and home series. Kalamazoo will travel to Flint on Friday (10/18), and both teams will finish out the home and home with a game Saturday night at Wings Stadium. K-Wings FanFest 2002 Set for Saturday National Pastime Sports will serve as the Executive Producer of Kalamazoo Wings Fanfest 2002. The event begins at 4 pm and will include a free concert, interactive exhibits, a beer garden, and a pyrotechnic show. The interactive exhibits will include a slap shot challenge, hockey trivia challenge, press box interactive, floor hockey challenge, and a goalie interactive. All fans in attendance will receive a free K-Wings pom-pom that will have a coupon for public skating at Wings Stadium. Also, while supplies last, fans will receive a free 20 ounce bottle of Vanilla Coke courtesy of Coca-Cola. The Obscure Stat of the Week With their win against Muskegon last Saturday night, the K-Wings are now 2-0-0 when playing on nights where there opponents are hanging championship banners from the previous season. Kalamazoo defeated the Flint Generals 2-1 on October 14, 2000. On that night, Flint was honoring their 1999-00 Colonial Cup Championship team.

Tickets Get Your Tickets!! Tickets for all K-Wing home games are now on sale. Catch all the action as your K-Wings play the very best the UHL has to offer. Tickets for are on sale by calling the K-Wings at 345-5101.

Get on Line This season the best to keep track of the K-Wings is to log onto www.kwings.com. The new site has player profiles, information about Wings Stadium events, and much more.

K-Wings on Radio Catch all the K-Wings games home and away on the K-Wings Radio Network (WLKM 95.9, WQSN 1660 AM, and WRCC 1400 AM). Join the "Voice of the K-Wings" Mike Modugno for all 76 regular season games and the playoffs. Pre game coverage begins with the Basic Communications 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 K-Wings Radio Network.

UP COMING GAMES Friday, October 18th @ Flint 7:30 PM Saturday, October 19th Vs Flint 7:30 PM Home Opener (Fan Fest 2002) Friday, October 25th Vs Muskegon 7:30 PM (Claude "The Trumpeter") Saturday, October 26th@ Flint 7:30 PM Sunday, October 27th @ Quad City 6:00 PM (CST)

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ECHL Stories from October 15, 2002


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