K-Wings defeat Wheeling in shootout

KALAMAZOO, MI-  With three home games this past weekend, the Kalamazoo Wings hoped to put some distance between themselves and their Central Division rivals, three of which came to town to do battle.

While things did not go as planned, the K-Wings did manage to take three of six points over the three-day period.

On Friday night, the K-Wings lost in overtime to the Fort Wayne Komets by a score of 3-2.  Kyle Bushee and Luke Sandler scored for the K-Wings. They did earn a point in the standings with the game ending in a tie at the conclusion of regulation.  Ivan Kulbakov was in goal for the K-Wings.

On Saturday, the K-Wings lost to the Indy Fuel by a score of 2-1.   The game was scoreless through the first two periods, with all the scoring coming in the third.  Chris Collins scored the lone goal for the K-Wings. Mattis Kivlenieks took the loss in net.

Finding success on Sunday, the K-Wings defeated the Wheeling Nailers by a score of 4-3, with Kyle Blaney getting the game winning goal in the shootout.   The Nailers took a 2-1 lead after the first 20 minutes. The K-Wings struck first in the game however, as Zach Saar scored just over a minute into the game for the quick 1-0 lead.  The goal by Saar was his 11th of the year.

Tanner Sorenson knotted the game at 2-2 with his 18th of the year just over two minutes into the second period.  The goal by Sorenson was scored on the power play. The Nailers added a power play goal of their own just four minutes later to regain their one-goal lead.

Sorenson struck again midway into the third period to make it a 3-3 game. The score remained tied at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime.  Neither team was able to win in OT, which forced the shootout. Eric Kattelus and Kyle Blaney scored in the shootout, while Zac Lynch scored the only goal for the Nailers.   Jake Hildebrand was in goal for the K-Wings.

The K-WIngs will be home on Sunday, March 17th, for their annual Green Ice Game at 3 pm as they take on the Toledo Walleye.  The K-Wings travel to Toledo on Friday night and then to Cincinnati on Saturday night to take on the Cyclones.

By: Mark C. McGlothlen