K-WINGS FEISTY IN VICTORY

Snapping a three-game losing streak, the Kalamazoo Wings earned their 17th road victory of the season with a come-from-behind 5-4 shootout victory over the Florida Everblades at the Germain Arena.

Having a tendency this season to start well on the road, Wednesday would be no different for the K-Wings, as Darryl Bootland continue is scoring prowess notching his team-best 23rd goal of the season 58 seconds into the contest.

Pulling even later in the period, Rylan Gailiardi (13th) skated in front of the K-Wings net and redirected a Scott Pitt pass past Riley Gill 16:68 into the period.

A fortunate bounce early in the second period gave the Everblades a 2-1 lead. After a slap shot from Kevin Quick recoiled off of a K-Wings defensemen, it went to the tape of Matt Beca for his 17th goal of the season.

Battling in front of the Everblades net, Dustin Cloutier (9th) scored the equalizer by racking the puck in the crease over the goal line 7:46 into the stanza.

Scoring in similar fashion as they started the period, Matt Marquardt (18th) benefited from a K-Wings block shot by scoring on the rebound midway through the period to regain a single goal advantage for Florida.

Registering back-to-back goals to start the third period, the K-Wings reclaimed the lead. Trent Daavettila trickled a wrister over the goal line 55 seconds to tie the game at 3-3 and then just 33 seconds later former Everblade defenseman, Elgin Reid notched his fifth goal of the season to put Kalamazoo ahead 4-3.

Reid’s goal was his second of the year against his former team.

Scott Pitt (15th) forced overtime midway in the period with a backhander from to the left of the crease.

Kalamazoo outdueled Florida 2-1 in the shootout earning goals from Justin Taylor and Dwight Helminen.

Kalamazoo continues their three-game road swing with the middle-leg this Friday, March 2nd with a 7:30 p.m. encounter against the Florida Everblades at the Germain Arena.

The K-Wings will return home to Wings Stadium on Wednesday, February 22nd at 10:30 a.m. versus the Toledo Walleye during Education Day, presented by Bronson Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Edison Electric, McDonald’s, Meijer and Rx Optical.

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

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