K-Wings; Komets to renew rivalry

The ECHL will expand to 23 teams next season as the Fort Wayne Komets and Evansville IceMen, both formerly of the Central Hockey League, have joined the league.

The Komets, who just wrapped up their second season in the CHL by winning the Presidents Cup, will reignite their rivalry with the Kalamazoo Wings that dates back to the 1970’s when both teams were members of the International Hockey League.

Wrapping up their 60th year of professional hockey, the Komets also surpassed 7,000 fans in attendance for the 10th straight year. “The entire Komet organization is looking forward to facing off our first ECHL season this October,” said Komets President Michael Franke in a statement released by the ECHL. “Having such great nearby regional rivals like Evansville, Toledo, Kalamazoo and Cincinnati will help re-kindle Old Time Komet Hockey.”

The Evansville IceMen, also from Indiana will fit into the ECHL footprint nicely, creating another close rival for the K-Wings. “The IceMen organization is delighted to become a part of such an outstanding league as the ECHL,” said IceMen Owner/President Ron Geary in a statement released by the league. “Through their great support and enthusiasm, our growing numbers of loyal and devoted fans have demonstrated how much they want to see a top-flight, quality product. Our step today is another move in that direction. We have come a long way in a short period of time. This is a true testament and tribute to our fans and the Evansville/Tri-State community.”

Both teams are expected to join the K-Wings, Toledo Walleye and Cincinnati Cyclones in the North Division.

Starting last season with 20 teams, the Chicago Express folded following their first season, but the ECHL previously announced two expansion teams, the Orlando Solar Bears who will play in the American Conference and the San Francisco Bulls will play in the Western Conference.

In an interesting side note, the past two teams to win the CHL Championships both left the league following their wins. In 2011, the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs ceased operations two weeks after their win while the Komets will be joining the ECHL this upcoming season.

The Florida Everblades and Las Vegas Wranglers are tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven Kelly Cup Finals. The ECHL will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary when the season kicks off in October.

K-WINGS SEASON COMES TO AN END

Battling until the final horn, the Kalamazoo Wings season came to an end, as the K-Wings lost to the Florida Everblades 3-1 Saturday night at the Germain Arena and dropped their Eastern Conference Finals series four games to one.

While neither team was able to score in the opening period, the period’s best chance came from Florida’s Sebastien Piche, who right after stepping out of the penalty box received a pass for a breakaway. During the ensuing scoring opportunity, Piche tried to beat Gill low on backhander, but the netminder came up with the save late in the period to keep the game scoreless.

As they have all series long, Florida jumped ahead with the game’s first goal 9:02 into the second period. Skating from right-to-left, Mike Ratchuk (1st) utilized a screen in front the net and sent a wrister from between the circles over the shoulder of Gill.

Responding moments later, Kory Karlander (4th) evened the game at 1-1 redirecting an Eric Kattelus slap shot over the glove hand of John Muse.

Finding room in the high slot, Piche (3rd) regained a one-goal lead for the Everblades scoring on the power-play late in the stanza.

Trevor Bruess (5th) added insurance for the Everblades, who will now face the Las Vegas Wranglers in the Kelly Cup Finals, scoring 5:56 into the final period on a wrister.

Kalamazoo will begin their 39th season of hockey in October. Season Tickets for the 2012-13 season of K-Wings hockey are available now by calling (269) 349-9772.

Submitted by Mike Modugno

SECOND PERIOD OUTBURST PUSHES FLORIDA PAST KALAMAZOO

The Kalamazoo Wings have been pushed to the brink of elimination following a 7-3 loss Thursday night to the Florida Everblades in the game four of the Eastern Conference Finals. With the loss, the K-Wings trail the best-of-seven series three games to one.

In a period that was eerily similar to the opening period of game three, the K-Wings dictated a majority of the action in the first, but a turnover in the neutral zone by Kalamazoo would find itself in the back of the net.

Skating to the loose puck at the red line, David Rutherford (3rd) maneuvered around the K-Wings defense and scored on a backhander with 2:59 remaining in the period.

Utilizing a screen in front of the K-Wings net early in the second period, Charles Landry’s (1st) blue line slap shot extended the Everblades lead to 2-0.

Capitalizing on a 5-on-3 power-play, David Fischer (3rd) pushed Florida’s advantage to three goals with a tally 10:26 into the period.

Kalamazoo bounced back moments later with a man-advantage goal of its own, as Dwight Helminen split the defense and scored five-hole on John Muse.

A span of 50 seconds early in the third period put the K-Wings on the ropes. Matt Marquardt (3rd) recorded the eventual game-winner 3:57 into the period.

After winning a draw in the K-Wings zone, Brayden Irwin, who finished the game with four points, notched his lone goal of the contest by tipping in a behind the net centering pass from Mike Ratchuk.

 Trying to mount a comeback midway through the period, Darren Archibald (2nd) sent a slap shot past Muse to bring the K-Wings back to within three goals 8:17 into the period.

Just over two minutes later, Helminen (5th) recorded his second power-play strike of the net, this time with a right-circle wrist shot to make to score 5-3 in favor of Florida.

Forging ahead late in regulation, Mathieu Roy (4th) and Rutherford (4th) each lit the lamp for the Everblades to procure the four-goal victory.

Gill, who stopped18 shots, dropped his record to 8-5 in the playoffs, while Muse raised his record to 6-1 by making 28 saves.

Kalamazoo and Florida will continue the Eastern Conference Finals with game five of the best-of-seven series this Saturday, May 5th with a 7:30 p.m. encounter from the Germain Arena.

If necessary, the K-Wings and Everblades will return to Wings Stadium on Tuesday, May 8th for a 7 p.m. face-off in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. During all third round home games, the K-Wings are offering special Fan Appreciation 25-cent hot dogs.

Tickets for the K-Wings round three playoff games are $16.05 and $19.95 for adults, $15.05 for seniors (62 years and older) and military (with proper ID) and only $10.05 for kids ages 12 and under. Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single game tickets in advance because tickets purchased on the day of a game increase by $1.

Submitted by Mike Modugno

EVERBLADES DISMANTLE K-WINGS

Winning their sixth straight playoff home game, the Florida Everblades defeated the Kalamazoo Wings 7-0 Wednesday night in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals and now lead the best-of-seven series two games to one.

Creating a turnover in the neutral zone, Florida leaped ahead midway in the period with a tally from Mathieu Roy (3rd). Stealing the puck at the blue line, Roy slipped around the defense and beat Riley Gill on a back hand.

Putting the game out of reach in the second period, Florida exploded for five goals in the second period. Brayden Irwin (3rd) set the tone for the Everblades scoring 20 seconds into the frame.

Striking 42 seconds later on their first power-play of the night, Sebastien Piche (2nd) ripped a right-circle slap shot 1:02 into the period.

Irwin (4th) notched his second goal of the night 4:36 into the stanza, which knocked Gill out of the game. Replaced by Maxime Clermont, Gill (8-4) stopped 10 of the 14 shots he faced in 24:36 he was between the pipes. Clermont would make 15 saves in relief.

Off of a face-off in the K-Wings zone, Florida upped their lead to 5-0, when Justin Shugg (1st) batted in his own rebound 7:16 into the period.

The period’s scoring ended the same way it started, with a goal from Irwin (5th), who recorded his first postseason hat trick in his career.

Shugg (2nd) conclude the scoring in the third period by tacking on his second goal of the game on a power-play marker 16:58 into the period.

In his first appearance in this series, John Muse (5-1) stopped 28 shots for his first shutout of the playoffs.

-MORE-

Kalamazoo, who was shutout for the second time in his series, has been held without a goal in eight on the nine periods in the conference finals.

Kalamazoo and Florida will continue the Eastern Conference Finals with game four of the best-of-seven series on Thursday, May 3rd with a 7:30 p.m. encounter from the Germain Arena.

If necessary, the K-Wings and Everblades will return to Wings Stadium on Tuesday, May 8th for a 7 p.m. face-off in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. During all third round home games, the K-Wings are offering special Fan Appreciation 25-cent hot dogs.

Tickets for the K-Wings round three playoff games are $16.05 and $19.95 for adults, $15.05 for seniors (62 years and older) and military (with proper ID) and only $10.05 for kids ages 12 and under. Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single game tickets in advance because tickets purchased on the day of a game increase by $1.

Submitted by Mike Modugno

K-Wings stun Everblades with 3-2 comeback win

KALAMAZOO — Erupting for three goals in the third period on Saturday night, the Kalamazoo Wings knocked off the visiting Florida Everblades in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals by a score of 3-2. The best-of-seven series now shifts to Estero, Fla. for games 3, 4, and 5 beginning Wednesday night. The Everblades blanked the K-Wings 2-0 on Friday night in game one.

Not only were the K-Wings held scoreless on Friday night, but the Everblades kept the K-Wings off the board through the first two periods of Saturday night’s game as well, for a total of 106 minutes and 18 seconds. Compounding the problem was the fact that the K-Wings put a paltry seven shots on net in the first two periods, with just one of those shots coming in the second period.

“The second period was embarrassing for us,” K-Wings head coach Nick Bootland said following the game. “And if we don’t have the goaltender (Riley Gill), he’s probably the best goaltender in the league right now, if we don’t have him, there’s not even a hope and a prayer. He’s seen more rubber than highway I-94 did today.”

Gill stopped 36 of the 38 shots he faced on Friday night and turned away another 37 in the win on Saturday. “30 (shots) after two was a little much, but we weathered the storm there,” Gill said. “We were battling pretty hard. We’ve been a third period team all playoffs, like tonight, we pulled through.”

The Everblades took an early 1-0 lead in the first period when a Joe Sova shot was deflected into the net by Brayden Irwin. Sova started the season with the K-Wings but was later traded by the New Jersey Devils, the K-Wings affiliate, to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Everblades are the affiliate of the Hurricanes and Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, where Sova played in 20 games before their season came to an end.

The game remained scoreless until the 6:18 mark of the third period, when the K-Wings started to find their groove. Kory Karlander put the K-Wings on the board with his third goal of the postseason while on the power play.

“It was an ugly playoff goal that sort of got us going,” Bootland said. “It got us excited, and obviously the building erupted, and that is what we needed.”

Being held scoreless for so long, Karlander knew the K-Wings’ time was coming. “I knew it was going to happen,” he said. “It was an evident momentum swing (in the third). I think we did a good job at not getting frustrated, and good things finally happened for us. The crowd came alive for us, like we knew they would, and I think we fed off that energy, too.”

The K-Wings took their first lead in the series just 1:52 later on a Darren Archibald goal, his first of the playoffs. Archibald, who also had an assist on the night, was happy to see the puck cross the line. “Finally, the monkey’s off the back,” Archibald said. “It’s been a while since I found the back of the net. I kind of just picked up a loose puck outside our blue (line) and just used a defenseman as a screen and shot it far side and it happened to go in.

To tie that game was huge for us, then to get another one for 2-1. We needed that momentum boost.”

Bootland was pleased to see Archibald find success on the ice. “Arch has been struggling a bit when it comes to putting the puck in the net,” Bootland said. “I know he has been sort of frustrated with that. But to see him persevere and step up tonight … he did a good job.”

A Matt Beca goal later in the period knotted the game at 2-2. Dustin Cloutier, one of the K-Wings players on the ice when Beca scored, took exception to the goal. “I was on the shift before when they got their goal, so I wanted to get it back,” Cloutier said. “We were coming in on a 3-on-2 and there were some back checkers. I just kept going to the net hard, and Archibald shot the puck, and it went off (Nagle’s) pad, and I just happened to get a piece of it.”

Cloutier’s goal gave the K-Wings a 3-2 lead with just under three minutes left in regulation.

Karlander said that a goal like Cloutier’s is exactly the kind of goal that the K-Wings will have to score if they want to have a chance against the Everblades. “Two of the three goals were rebounds off the goalie’s pads or off their shin pads,” Karlander said. “We will have to remember how we generated two of our goals and keep working to do that.”

Both teams kept the pressure up in the final minutes of the game as the Everblades pulled Nagle for the extra skater, but the K-Wings held on for the victory.

Before they leave on Monday for Florida, the K-Wings will take some time to look back on the first two games. “We’re going to take a real good look at the (game) tape and have a focused and structured practice on Monday,” Bootland said.

While the K-Wings and Everblades are tied 1-1, Bootland stresses that it is his team that needs to make some changes. “Their coach is going to talk about doing the exact same things that they have done so far,” Bootland said. “Because of the way they are playing right now, they are going to win more than they lose. We’re the team that has to make the adjustments right now, and we’re going to have to make some tweaks.”

In the Western Conference Finals, the defending Kelly Cup Champions Alaska Aces and Las Vegas Wranglers are tied 1-1 in their best-of-seven series.

K-WINGS RALLY TO WIN GAME TWO

Showing all the courage of a fighter in the last round of a championship fight, the Kalamazoo Wings punched their way back to even the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals at one game apiece with a thrilling 3-2 victory Saturday night at Wings Stadium over the Florida Everblades.

Playing most of the opening 20 minutes in the K-Wings zone, the Everblades, who outshot Kalamazoo 14-6 in the first period, registered the lone goal of the period off the tape of Brayden Irwin (2nd) 14:28 into the period. Standing in front of the K-Wings net, Irwin tipped the shot of former K-Wing defenseman Joe Sova past the outstretched blocker of Riley Gill.

While neither team was able to score in the second period, the action continued to be slanted towards the Everblades, who outshot the K-Wings 16-1. Kalamazoo, who had a power-play chance in the period, earned their lone shot of the middle frame while shorthanded. Florida earned seven of their shots in the period in the final minute.

The K-Wings were finally able to break through and put the puck in the back of the net. Kory Karlander (3rd) scored at 6:18 into the 3rd period to tie the game and give Kalamazoo the much needed boost of confidence. The goal snapped a 110:21 scoring drought for Kalamazoo, which dates back to game-five of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

It only took Kalamazoo 1:52 to take their first lead of the series. Darren Archibald (1st) tallied his first of the post season with a quick wrist shot and celebrated emphatically with his teammates. Nick Sirota and Sam Ftorek notched assists on the lead changing goal.

Florida, as expected, would not go down without a fight. Matt Beca put home a rebound to tie the game at 2-2 with only 4:59 remaining in regulation. The tally was Beca’s team-leading fifth of the postseason.

But on this night, Kalamazoo would not be denied. The K-Wings scored the third goal of the period when Dustin Cloutier (4th) banged home a rebound to give the home team a 3-2 lead with only 2:28 remaining.

Kalamazoo and Florida will continue the Eastern Conference Finals with game three of the best-of-seven series this Wednesday, May 2nd with a 7:30 p.m. encounter from the Germain Arena.

The K-Wings and Everblades will continue the Eastern Conference Finals with game two of the best-of-seven series tomorrow, Saturday, April 28th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Wings Stadium. Fans can purchase hot dogs for all Kalamazoo’s conference finals home games for only 25-cents.

If necessary, the K-Wings and Everblades will return to Wings Stadium on Tuesday, May 8th for a 7 p.m. face-off in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. During all third round home games, the K-Wings are offering special Fan Appreciation 25-cent hot dogs.

Tickets for the K-Wings round one playoff games are $16.05 and $19.95 for adults, $15.05 for seniors (62 years and older) and military (with proper ID) and only $10.05 for kids ages 12 and under. Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single game tickets in advance because tickets purchased on the day of a game increase by $1.

Submitted by Mike Modugno

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