October 10, 2012 - Mike Modugno
Director of Public Relations and Broadcaster
Last Week’s Record: 1-0-1-0 (Preseason) Overall Record: 0-0-0-0
Game Rewind
Friday, October 5th Vs Toledo Walleye at Wings West (Toledo 5-Kalamazoo 4-Overtime)
Kalamazoo, MI- Led by a couple of fortunate bounces late in the third period, the Toledo Walleye completed a three-goal comeback to defeat the Kalamazoo Wings 5-4 in overtime Friday night at the Borgess Rink at Wings West.
Kalamazoo got on the board first this preseason when Joe Charliebois (1st) ripped a slap shot from the point that found the back of the net to give the K-Wings a 1-0 lead. The power play goal was at 9:31 of the first period.
Continuing the theme of defensemen doing damage, Joe Tolles (1st) gave the K-Wings a 2-0 at 14:16 of the period when he swung home a lose rebound. With the puck kicked in the air, Tolles did his best baseball impression and chopped into the netting.
The K-Wings were not quite done in the first; Dustin Cloutier (1st) joined the scoring parade when he capitalized on a 2-on-1. Cloutier took a pass from Derek Graham and with the wide open net, he buried it 16:47 into the period.
The second period featured a goalie change by Kalamazoo as out was Joel Martin, who saved all 14 shots he face, and in was Michael McDonald.
Toledo was not to be denied in the second frame as the Walleye peppered goaltender McDonald and finally got one past him. Travis Novak (1st) slotted home a rebound with a scramble going on in front of the K-Wings net. The goal at 18:59 of the second period was assisted by Jake Trask and Jordy Christian.
The scoring picked up even more in the final frame jumped started by Kalamazoo’s Derek Foam (1st) at 2:38 of the period. Foam’s shot sneaked past the Walleye goaltender to give the K-Wings a 4-1 lead.
Again the Walleye answered back, this time with a goal from Cody Lampl (1st) 6:50 into the period. Lampl’s shot beat McDonald and cut the K-Wings lead to 4-2.
Keeping the trend going of Toledo goals, Dale Warkentin (1st) brought the fish to within a goal at 4-3. Warkentin capitalized off of assists by Phil Oreskovic and Jordy Christian.
The game-tying goal from Toledo came at the hands of Doug Clarkson (1st), who attempted to dump the puck in the K-Wings zone; however, after the puck caromed off the high glass, it ricochet into the net to force overtime.
Overtime was not forgiving to the K-Wings, after they took a penalty early into the extra session, a breakout attempt became costly, as it bounced off the bass of the wall and flung to a wide-open, Nikita Poliakov (1st), who buried the game-winner 1:56 into overtime completing the Walleye 3-goal comeback.
Saturday, October 6th @ Toledo Walleye (Kalamazoo 3-Toledo 2)
Toledo, Ohio- Ending the preseason on a high-note, the Kalamazoo Wings jumped out to an early led on Saturday night and never looked back, as the K-Wings defeated the Toledo Walleye 3-2 at the Huntington Center.
Just like they did the night before, Kalamazoo came out with plenty of energy and found the back of the night. Justin Taylor (1st) found room in front of the net and put the K-Wings ahead early, deflecting an Aaron Schmit shot.
Extending the lead later in the period while on the power-play, Derek Graham (1st) scored on a wrist shot from between the circles. The goal was Graham’s second point of the night and his team-leading fourth of the preseason.
Keeping the offense flowing midway in the second period, tipping a pass in his own zone, Nick Walsh (1st) raced up ice and slipped the puck past Petr Mrazek for the unassisted tally.
Trying to mount a comeback, Cody Lampl (2nd) knocked in a power-play rebound for the Walleye’s first goal of the evening late in the second period.
Cutting the K-Wings lead to a single-goal, Nikita Poliakov (2nd) blasted a slap shot over the shoulder of Joel Martin two minutes into the third period.
Despite outshooting the K-Wings 8-2 in the final period, the Walleye could find away to score the equalizer past Martin, who finished the contest with 28 saves.
Fast Forward
The K-Wings will begin the regular season this Friday, October 12th with an 8 p.m. face-off at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum against the Fort Wayne Komets. The meeting will be the first between the teams since the 2007-08, when the teams played in the International Hockey League.
Kalamazoo will remain on the road to conclude the week, as the K-Wings travel to the Huntington Center to battle the Toledo Walleye at 7:05 p.m.
Team Preseason Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings
Goals: Seven Players Tied (1 Goal)
Assists: Derek Graham (3 Assists)
Points: Derek Graham (4 Points)
+/-: Joe Charlebois (+2)
Penalty Minutes: Morgan James (9 Minutes)
Power Play Goals: Joe Charlebois, Derek Foam, Derek Graham (1 Goal)
Short Handed Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)
Game Winning Goals: Nick Walsh (1 GW)
Shots: Joe Charlebois (8 Shots)
Shooting Percentage: Derek Graham (100%)
Overtime Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)
Shootout Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)
Shootout Percentage: Entire Team (0.0%)
Goals Against Average: Joel Martin (1.32)
Save Percentage: Joel Martin (0.955)
Roster Moves
Earlier today the K-Wings trimmed their roster by three. Kalamazoo released forward Jon Higgins and defensemen Derek Foam and Joe Tolles.
A Rivalry Reborn
Friday will mark the first-time in four years that the K-Wings will face-off against the Fort Wayne Komets. Overall, the teams have met 361 times; Kalamazoo owns a record of 157-160-44 (IHL-131-130-34, UHL 26-30-10) versus Fort Wayne.
Familiar Feel
Kalamazoo’s roster should have a familiar feel to fans. Of the K-Wings 18 players currently on the roster, 10 of them have played for the K-Wings in the careers.
Good in Openers
Since joining the ECHL, the K-Wings have been great on opening night. Kalamazoo is 3-0-0-0 in their ECHL season opening games, outscoring their opponents 14-3 in those games.
The Obscure Stat of the Week
While the K-Wings and Komets have played each other for 36 years, opening the season in Fort Wayne isn’t that common for the Kalamazoo. Friday will mark just the sixth time and the first since 2008 that the K-Wings have been the home opening opponent for the Komets.
Tickets! Get Your Tickets!!
Tickets for all K-Wings home games are now on sale. Catch all the action as your K-Wings play the very best the ECHL has to offer. Tickets are on sale now by calling stopping by the Wings Stadium Ticket Office or at any Ticketmaster location.
Get On-Line
This season, the best way to keep track of the K-Wings is to log onto the team’s website at www.kwings.com. The site has player profiles, video on your hometown team, and much, much more.
K-Wings Live
Join special guests Head Coach Nick Bootland and the “Voice of the K-Wings” Mike Modugno on Monday, November 5th for the next edition of “K-Wings Live”. The show is on WZUU (92.5 FM) and online through www.kwings.com from 6-7 p.m. at Old Burdick’s Wings West.
K-Wings on Radio
Catch all the K-Wings games, home and away, on the K-Wings Radio Network (92.5 FM WZUU & on kwings.com). Join the “Voice of the K-Wings” Mike Modugno for all 72 regular season games plus the playoffs. Pre-game coverage begins with the Kalsee Credit Union Pre-Game Show 20 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 the K-Wings Radio Network.
Upcoming Games
Friday, October 12th @ Fort Wayne 8:00 PM (Regular Season Opener)
Saturday, October 13th @ Toledo 7:05 PM
Friday, October 19th Vs Fort Wayne 7:30 PM (Opening Night, Featuring a Free Pre Game Tailgate Party in the Annex)
Saturday, October 20th Vs Toledo 7:30 PM (Beer Fest)
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