WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Never leading until the overtime game-winner, the Kalamazoo Wings erased two third period deficits, including one with 80 seconds remaining in regulation to defeat the Trenton Titans 6-5 in overtime.
For the second straight night, Kalamazoo allowed a goal in the first minute of the game. Ryan Hayes notched his ninth of the season just 41 seconds into the game by beating K-Wing starting goaltender, Maxime Clermont. Earning one of the assist on the goal was Rob Bordson, who extended his road scoring streak to nine games.
Fifteen minutes later, Kalamazoo pulled even with a power play tally from Brandon Svendsen, the goal leaves Svendsen tied for first on the team with six power play strikes and thirteen markers. The goal extended Svendsen’s point streak to four games.
Kalamazoo wouldn’t escape the period without surrendering another goal to the Titans. With just seventeen seconds remaining in the opening frame, Adam Presizniuk (5th) re-established Trenton’s one goal lead.
The second period saw the Titans start with two more unanswered goals. Mike Germain scored his seventh of the year after he poked home a rebound off a slap shot from former K-Wing, Mitch Versteeg.
Four minutes later, it would be Germain again, scoring his second of the night and eighth of the season.
At the 12:30 mark of the period, Kalamazoo would bring the game back to within two. Bryan Haczyk stole the puck in the Trenton zone and buried his ninth of the season against his former team. The goal propelled Haczyk’s goal streak to three games.
The K-Wings scored first in the third period to pull within a goal. Trent Daavettila scored his sixth of the season on the power play.
Only 13 seconds later John Kivisto sent what seemed like an innocent shot on net, the puck was initially saved by Dave Caruso, but it popped into the air, and trickled in behind Caruso and into the back of the net to pull Kalamazoo even.
Trenton struck right back to give themselves a lead with only a minute and twenty-one seconds remaining in the third period. Steve Silva scored his third of the campaign when he beat Clermont over the glove-side.
With only fifteen seconds left in the game, and Clermont on the bench for an extra attacker, Daavettila scored his second of the night and seventh of the season to force overtime.
While on the power play in overtime, it only took 42 seconds for the K-Wings to light the lamp for the sixth time on the evening. Elgin Reid was credited with the game-winner when his slap shot beat Caruso for Reid’s second of the season.
For the second straight game, the K-Wings established a new season-high for shots on goal, as Kalamazoo pelted Caruso with 53 shots.
The victory extended the K-Wings unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1-0). Despite the overtime setback, the Titans also extended their unbeaten streak to four games (2-0-1-1).
The K-Wings will conclude thier four-game home stand at Wings Stadium this Wednesday, January 11th with a 7 p.m. face-off versus the South Carolina Stingrays during Cocktails in the Cube. Kalamazoo will host a pregame business mixer from 5-7 p.m. in The Cube Viewing Area.
Tickets for all K-Wings home games are $12.90 and $16.90 for adults and only $6.90 for kids ages 12 and under. The price for all K-Wings premium night games (all colored ice games and New Year’s Eve game) are just $1 more. 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
