WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Surrendering a three-goal lead late in the third period, the Kalamazoo Wings stayed composed and fought back to defeat the Cincinnati Cyclones 5-4 in a shootout Friday.
Dictating the tempo in the first period, Kalamazoo jumped ahead 6:38 into the period, when Darren Archibald skated around two defenders and sent a centering pass to Dustin Cloutier for his 7th goal of the season.
In the waning moments of the stanza, the K-Wings struck again in similar fashion, as Justin Taylor led Bryan Haczyk for this 12th goal of the season with 31.3 seconds remaining. Half of the Haczyk’s goals have come against the Cyclones.
Striking quickly out of the locker room, Kalamazoo pushed their lead to 3-0, as Darryl Bootland deflected an Elgin Reid wrist shot 18 seconds into the second period for this team-leading 21st goal of the season.
Responding midway in the period, Dan Eves (9th) placed the Cyclones on the board knocking in his own rebound on the power-play.
Responding early in a period for the second time in the contest, Joe Charlebois, from behind the net, setup Kory Karlander (11th) for a one-timer 1:30 into the third period.
Trying to mount a comeback, Cincinnati responded for three unanswered goals, including two power-play goals in the final three minutes to force overtime.
Eventually heading into a shootout, Kalamazoo outscored Cincinnati 3-1 in the extra session and received goals from Justin Taylor, Taylor Ellington and Karlander to secure the victory.
The K-Wings will begin four-game home stand with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Gwinnett Gladiators during Scout Night and the first-ever Susan G. Komen K-Wings for a Cure game, presented by Consumer Energy, Take Me Transportation and WNWN. Saturday night will also be a Win-Win Night. If the K-Wings win, all fans in attendance will receive a voucher for a FREE ticket to Kalamazoo’s home game on February 22nd.
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 Mike Modugno
