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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Wings Get Point in Overtime Loss; Playoff Hopes Hinge on Finale

April 8, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


TOLEDO, OH- The Kalamazoo Wings moved one point closer to the playoffs, but weren't able to overcome the Toledo Walleye in a 3-2 overtime final at the Huntington Center on Friday night.

Striking first for the sixth straight game, the Wings needed only 1:59 to get on the board. David Gilbert sprung a long stretch pass ahead to Alex Mallet, who used the feed to carry in on Toledo goalie Jake Paterson unimpeded. Mallet snapped a quick wrist shot that stayed on the ice and went through the legs of Paterson, and into the goal.

Less than two minutes later, Kalamazoo used the burst of energy to maintain their gun-slinging pace and build upon their lead. Gilbert wired a long feed to Zach Phillips, who snuck through the Toledo defense and powered one past Paterson. It was Phillips' debut with the Wings, and the centerman was able to register two points in the first 4:45 of the game.

Though trailing by two goals, the Walleye continued to volley shots towards Martin, and struck pay dirt in the middle minutes of the second period, courtesy of Austin Wuthrich. After possessing in the Wings' zone, Wuthrich carried the puck to the right wing side and spun a shot towards goal that deflected off a body in front and past Joel Martin.

While functioning on their fifth power play try of the game, the Walleye set up around the perimeter, as Kyle Bonis dished the puck along to Vili Saarijarvi at the point. The rookie blasted a slap shot through a series of bodies in front of Martin that found the back of the net, tying the game at two in the third period.

Neither team was able to muster up a winning goal in the waning moments of the final frame, yielding a three-on-three overtime session.

After the extra session featured a series of back and forth chances from both clubs, a scramble in front of Martin's goal saw a scrum develop and impede the Wings' netminder any ability to cover the puck. The loose puck slid to the slot for Matt Caito to deposit a slap shot into the goal.

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