WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
While most of the State of Michigan headed to Florida this week to enjoy fun in the sun for spring break, the Kalamazoo Wings (37-29-1-3) were in Florida for three games against the Florida Everblades (44-20-2-3).
After dropping a 6-2 decision to the Everblades on Wednesday night, the K-Wings hoped to regroup for their rematch on Friday night.
Starting off on the right note, the K-Wings Scott Henegar scored just 33 seconds into the opening period to give the K-Wings an early lead.
Newcomer Tyler Heinonen, signed this past Wednesday after he wrapped up his four-year career at Michigan Tech, ended the period just as the K-Wings started it; with a goal.
The goal by Heinonen was his first professional goal.
Taking a 3-0 lead in the second period while on a five-on-three power play, Peter Schneider scored his 17th of the season sending a wrist shot to the net and past goaltender Anthony Peters.
Bouncing back into the game later in the period, the Everblades struck for two goals to make it a 3-2 game. Mike Ferrantino and Mitchell Heard scored for Florida.
Scott Henegar added his 14th of the season just under two minutes later to give the K-Wings a 4-2 advantage.
Peter Schneider netted a hat trick and added an assist, while Nick Riopel made 30 stops on the way to his 14th win in his last 16 starts, and the Kalamazoo Wings erupted for a 7-5 victory over the Florida Everblades Friday night at Germain Arena.
Coming out swinging in the third, the Everblades once again tallied two straight goals to make it a 4-4 game. Brendan O’Donnell and Brant Harris scored for the Everblades.
The K-Wings regained the lead midway into the period as Schneider notched his second of the game and 18th of the season to make it a 5-4 game.
Clawing their way back once again, Josh Wesley pulled the Everblades even with the K-Wings once again to make it a 5-5 game.
Nipping any potential momentum from the Everblades in the bud, the K-Wings Brian Hart took a Cam Darcy pass to the net for this fourth goal of the year and giving the K-Wings a 6-5 lead. Schneider added an empty net goal late in the period to give the K-Wings a hard fought 7-5 win.
On Saturday, the K-Wings dropped a 5-3 decision to the Everblades. Hart, Schneider and Tanner Sorenson scored for the K-Wings.
The K-Wings continue their four game road trip with a game in Wheeling, WV against the Nailers on Friday and then wrap up the regular season on Saturday at home versus the Nailers. Game time on Saturday is 7 pm.
K-Wings News and Notes
Friday vs. Florida: Peter Schneider has points in eleven straight games… Nick Riopel is 14-2-0 in his last 16 starts… The Wings finished the month of March with a 10-4-0 record… Kalamazoo handed Florida their first Friday night regulation home loss of the season… Kalamazoo scored on three of their four shots on goal during the third period…Kalamazoo’s seven goals set a new single-game high for the season.
Saturday vs. Florida: With a Quad City victory, the K-Wings will play the Toledo Walleye in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs… Peter Schneider’s point streak improved to 12-straight games and he has tallied eight points in his last three games…Schneider finished the year with ten points in four games against his former team… Kalamazoo finished the season 2-2-0 against the Everblades this season… The K-Wings were outshot 56-24 during the loss… Kalamazoo’s power play went 0/2 and the penalty kill went 8/9. The Wings finished the game with only 13 skaters due to injuries.
Submitted by Mark McGlothlen
