October 16, 2012 - Mike Modugno
Director of Public Relations and Broadcaster
Last Week’s Record: 1-1-0-0 Overall Record: 1-1-0-0
Friday, October 12th @ Fort Wayne Komets (Kalamazoo 4-Fort Wayne 1)
Fort Wayne, IN- Eric Kattelus notched three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and Joel Martin made 25 saves propelling the Kalamazoo Wings (1-0-0-0) to a 4-1 opening night victory over the Fort Wayne Komets (0-1-0-) Friday night at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum.
A high-octane first period of the season didn’t spark any offense, but that would all change in the middle frame.
A fluke bounce ignited the K-Wings in the second period. Prab Rai (1st) centering pass from behind the net hit off the skate of a Komets defenseman and into the net early in the stanza to put the K-Wings on the board.
Rai’s tally sparked a four-goal explosion, which included a tally 49 seconds later by Darren Archibald (1st).
Concluding the period with goals from Elgin Reid (1st) and Kattleus (1st), Kalamazoo carried a 4-0 cushion in the third period.
The coliseum’s crowd of 10,091 finally got to cheer midway into the third, as Brandon Marino (1st) earned the Komets first ECHL goal on a rebound, the lone goal surrendered by Martin.
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 13th @ Toledo Walleye (Toledo 4-Kalamazoo 1)
Toledo, OH- Making his first pro start, Petr Mrazek looked like a season veteran stopping 33 shots to lead the Toledo Walleye (1-0-0-0) to a 4-1 victory over the Kalamazoo Wings (1-1-0-0) Saturday night at the Huntington Center.
Following an emotional pregame ceremony remembering former Walleye Bryan Rufenach, who passed away in the offseason, Toledo grabbed an early lead with a tally from Max Campbell (1st) 3:36 into the game.
Before the fans got back to their seats from the intermission, the Walleye pounced on the K-Wings with a quick second period marker. Setting up from behind the net, Campbell slip a pass in front of the crease to Andrej Nestrasil (1st), who jammed in the opportunity 1:55 into the stanza.
Kalamazoo’s best scoring chances in the period came on a five-minute power-play that was created from a charge from Phil Oreskovic. Mrazek anchored the penalty-kill for the Walleye turning aside seven shots during the K-Wings man-advantage.
Putting the game out of reach in the third period, Willie Coetzee (1st) knocked in a rebound to the left of Joel Martin who finished the contest with 27 saves.
Jumping on the scoreboard late in the contest, Elgin Reid (2nd) blasted a one-timer one the power-play for the K-Wings lone tally of the night.
Campbell capped off a three-point (2 goals, 1 assists) night scoring an empty-netter to push the Walleye lead back to three goals.
Fast Forward
After two straight on the road, the K-Wings will return home for a pair of contests starting this Friday, October 19th at 7:30 p.m. as Kalamazoo welcomes the Fort Wayne Komets to Wings Stadium. Friday’s contest will be the home opener for the K-Wings, who will debut the biggest video board in southwest Michigan, along with a new sound system, new flooring, paint and lighting in the concourse and more concession food options. The home opener, which is presented by 92.5 WZUU, will also feature a pre-game tailgate party in The Annex featuring the band, Plan Jane, as well as inflatable games for kids of all ages. Friday is also the first FANomenal Friday, featuring $2 pint beers and a special food item, which for this week will be $1 popcorn. Fort Wayne enters the week in a first place tie in the North Division.
Fans looking for a great deal should head to either Old Burdick’s Downtown or Old Burdick’s Wings West. While supplies last, anyone that purchases any entrée ($9.99 or more) will receive a FREE ticket to the K-Wings home opener versus the Fort Wayne Komets this Friday, October 19th at 7:30 p.m. This $9.99 entrée can be on any combination of items.
The fun continues on Saturday, October 20th, when the Toledo Walleye come to town for a 7:30 p.m. encounter on Beerfest, presented by Charter Media and WRKR. Beerfest will feature $3 domestic beers and $4 imports. The Budweiser Girls and Coors Light Girls will also be on hand to celebrate the K-Wings second home game of the season. Fans should come early, to dunk K-Wings employees in the Drunk Trank and to test their football skills in the NFL Tailgate, presented by Charter. The Walleye enter the week in a first place tie in the North Division.
Team Leaders: Kalamazoo Wings
Goals: Elgin Reid (2 Goals)
Assists: Sam Ftorek, Eric Kattelus, Brett Lysak (2 Assists)
Points: Eric Kattelus, Elgin Reid (3 Points)
+/-: Darren Archibald, Eric Kattelus, Brett Lysak (+3)
Penalty Minutes: Darren Archibald (9 Minutes)
Power Play Goals: Joe Charlebois, Derek Foam, Derek Graham (1 Goal)
Short Handed Goals: Elgin Reid (1 Goal)
Game Winning Goals: Elgin Reid (1 GW)
Shots: Prab Rai (10 Shots)
Shooting Percentage: Eric Kattelus, Elgin Reid (25%)
Overtime Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)
Shootout Goals: Entire Team (0 Goals)
Shootout Percentage: Entire Team (0.0%)
Goals Against Average: Joel Martin (2.00)
Save Percentage: Joel Martin (0.929)
K-Wings Give Out Letters
Prior to last week’s contests, the K-Wings announce their assistant captains. While there is no captain, Kalamazoo has named Joe Charlebois, Sam Ftorek and Kory Karlander their assistant captains for the season.
Home Sweet Home
Kalamazoo will host their first two home games of the season this weekend. Last season, the K-Wings went 18-14-0-1 at home.
Northern Stars
The K-Wings will get a quick feel on how they will stack up against the North Division. Including last week’s contests, Kalamazoo will play their first nine games are against division foes.
Hot Streak
Defenseman Elgin Reid has started the season on a roll. Reid, who has three points (2 goals, 1 assist) has scored goals in each of the K-Wings first two games.
The Obscure Stat of the Week
On Friday, the K-Wings will unveil their new state-of-the art video board. The board, which stands 12.5 feet tall-by-40 feet wide is the largest video board in southwest Michigan.
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 6-8 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 19th Vs Fort Wayne 7:30 PM (Opening Night, Featuring a Free
Pre Game Tailgate Party in the Annex, Presented by WZUU)
Saturday, October 20th Vs Toledo 7:30 PM (Beer Fest, Presented by WRKR and Charter Media)
Friday, October 26th @ Evansville 7:15 PM
Saturday, October 27th Vs Evansville 7:30 PM (9th Annual Orange Ice Game, Presented by WKFR and The CW7)
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