K-Wings undefeated so far in 2017

Brampton, Ontario – The Kalamazoo Wings (14-17-0-3) are off to a great start in 2017. Starting with their 5-3 win over the Brampton Beast on New Year’s Eve, the K-Wings find themselves on a three game winning streak with all the wins coming against the Beast.

On Friday, the K-Wings jumped out to a three-goal lead in route to a 5-2 victory at the Powerade Centre. Josh Pitt put the K-Wings on the board early in the first period with his second goal of the season.

Just 35 seconds into the middle period and with time having just ended on a power play try, Kalamazoo added to their lead. A Kyle Bushee shot was stopped by goaltender Zach Fucale. The puck wiggled out to the stick of Lane Scheidl, who pushed the loose puck into the goal for his seventh of the season.

Scheidl struck again later in the period with his second of the night. His two-goal period was the first for any K-Wing player this season.

The Beast hit the scoreboard late in the second period with a goal from Daultan Leveille and added another just 29 seconds into the third to cut the K-Wings lead to 3-2.

Minutes later, Ben Wilson scored his third of the year to give the K-Wings a 4-2 lead. Justin Taylor added his 15th of the season later in the period for the 5-2 final.

Looking to avenge two straight losses to the K-Wings, the Beast took the early lead on Sunday. Leveille scored for the Beast.

Ten minutes into the second period and fresh off killing a penalty for tripping, Kyle Bushee, fresh out of the penalty box, hauled in a pass from Lane Scheidl and steered the puck towards Fucale, who made the initial save. Bushee took the rebound of his own shot and banked the puck off the back side of the Brampton netminder and into the net for the game-tying marker.
After earning their third power play try of the game in the opening minute of the third period, Kalamazoo took their first lead of the game just under a minute into the period. After winning a faceoff in the offensive end, Bushee carried the puck in front of the goal for Scott Henegar, who took the puck to the net for a 2-1 lead.
With just 32 seconds left in the game, and their goaltender on the bench for the extra skater, the Beasts David Pacan scored to tie the game at three goals apiece.

In overtime, Bushee set up Tanner Sorenson near the side of the goal. Sorenson received the pass, and put the puck between the legs of Fucale for the game winner.
The K-Wings return home for a game on Wednesday against the Tulsa Oilers at 7 pm. On Friday, the K-Wings host the Brampton Beast at 7 pm and the Wheeling Nailers on Sunday at 3 pm.

K-Wings News and Notes:

Friday: Martin became the Kalamazoo Wings all-time leader in career wins with 197… Wilson had his first career three-point game… For the third time this season, Kalamazoo snapped an 0/27 power play streak on their 28th try…Taylor has six goals in his last six games…Kalamazoo is 3-0-0 against Brampton this season and have scored five goals in all three games… Kalamazoo was outshot 43-25.

Sunday- The K-Wings are on a season-high three-game winning streak…Bushee’s goal was his first as a Kalamazoo Wing and he is on a three-game point streak…Henegar’s 10 goals lead all Kalamazoo rookies… Kalamazoo is 4-0-0 this season against Brampton… Martin made 30 saves and Fucale made 18 of his own…Kalamazoo is 3-0 in games decided in the three-on-three overtime sessions this year
By: Mark C. McGlothlen