ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Wheeling's Kyle Bushee and T.J. Fox Each Scored Twice in 5-3 Victory

Published on December 26, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- A three-goal first period propelled the Wheeling Nailers over the Kalamazoo Wings 5-3 Saturday night at Wings Stadium.

There was no holiday rust for the Nailers and in particular T.J. Fox (7th), who scored from the slot 53 seconds on the first shot of the game.

Kalamazoo fired back at the 5:30 mark of the period, when Matt Jones (11th) knocked in the equalizer on his own rebound.

Otsego, Michigan native, Kyle Bushee rallied for the Nailers sending a slap shot over Ryan Nie's shoulder for his first goal of the season.

Entering Saturday's contest with only four goals in his three-year career, Bushee (2nd) struck for his second goal of the period two minutes later to extend the Nailers lead to 3-1.

Just as they did the in the opening period, Wheeling would waste no time in the second period, Fox (8th) deflected a power-play blast from Cleve Kinley 1:09 into the second period gave the Nailers their largest lead of the night.

Brining the deficit back to three goals midway into the period, Rick Cleaver snipped a rocket from the right circle. The tally from Cleaver tied him with Andrew Fournier for the team-lead in goals scored with 13 and also extended the forward's point streak to K-Wings' season-high eight games.

Keeping momentum into the third period, Ryan McGinnis (5th) lifted a backhander over Brad Thiessen to bring the K-Wings back to within a single-goal.

However, Kalamazoo's comeback bid came to halt at the 14:13 into the final stanza with a goal from Chris Davis (3rd).

With the loss, the K-Wings relinquish first place in the North Division for the first time this season. Kalamazoo remained tied for second place with the Cincinnati Cyclones for second place, while the Toledo Walleye move into first place with a 4-3 victory over Cincinnati.

Despite being in second place, the K-Wings, who have three games in hand over the Walleye and have played two fewer games than the Cyclones have the best winning percentage in the division.

The K-Wings will continue their season-high eight-game home stand with the seventh leg of the swing with a 4 p.m. face-off versus the Cincinnati Cyclones tomorrow Sunday, December 27th.

Single-game tickets for any of the K-Wings 36 regular season home games are currently 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, call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

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

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ECHL Stories from December 26, 2009


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