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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Wings Throw Shade at Solar Bears in Orlando

February 26, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


ORLANDO, FL- David Gilbert registered a hat trick and Joel Martin made 28 saves as the Kalamazoo Wings scooted past the Orlando Solar Bears, 5-2, on Friday night at Amway Center.

The Wings rolled out at a furious pace early in the first, and were able to take a 1-0 lead just 2:05 into the tilt. Eric Kattelus fished the puck off the wall and snapped a cross-rink pass to Gilbert, who rifled a one-timer past Orlando goalie Rob Madore.

1:22 later, the Wings cracked their lead open to two goals, courtesy of Ludwig Blomstrand. As Dane Fox produced a shot on goal, Madore made the save, but wasn't able to corral the rebound. Curtis Valk pounced on the loose puck and ushered it to Blomstrand, whose shot slid past Madore for his 20th goal of the season.

Orlando struck for their first tally while operating on their second power play of the game, early in the second period. Patrick Watling dished a pass to Eric Faille in the high slot, and Faille fired a shot over the stick-side shoulder of Martin.

Kalamazoo responded eleven minutes later, with Gilbert picking up his second marker of the game. While relentlessly attacking the crease of Madore, Gilbert jammed at the loose puck on the doorstep and was able to power it past the Orlando netminder to give the Wings a 4-1 lead. It was Gilbert's first professional hat trick since the 2012-13 season when Gilbert was a member of the Bloomington Blaze in the CHL.

Orlando continued to remain competitive in the second period, cutting the deficit just 38 seconds later. While on the attack, Faille carried the puck into the Kalamazoo zone and crossed at the blue line with Patrick Watling, dropping a pass to his linemate, who was able to wrist one into the back of the goal.

The Wings were able to re-build their game-high three-goal lead as Fox, upon receiving a feed from Sacha Guimond, blasted a one-timer towards the Orlando goal. Ryan Massa, who relieved Madore after two periods of play, made the stop, but the pick ricocheted off his pads and arced over his head an into the goal. It was Fox's team-leading 22nd goal and capped off the scoring for the night.

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