WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The Kalamazoo Wings are headed to the postseason for the fifth time in the past six seasons as they defeated the Wichita Thunder 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday night.
Tanner Sorenson scored the game winning goal with just 1:08 left in overtime to complete the come-from-behind victory for the K-Wings and secure their spot in the playoffs. With the win, the K-Wings moved into third place in the Central Division standings, one point ahead of the Fort Wayne Komets. The third place team will battle the Toledo Walleye in the first round while the fourth place team will take on the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Trailing after the first period 1-0 on a goal by the Thunder’s Steven Iacobellis, the K-Wings tied the game early in the third period on a goal by Michael Neal.
A scoreless third period gave way to the extra session. The Thunder out shot the K-Wings 36-25. Ivan Kulbakov was in net for the K-Wings, stopping 35 shots.
The K-Wings travel to Tulsa to take on the Oilers for the final two games of the regular season this Friday and Saturday nights.
While the K-Wings are not sure of their opponent in the first round of the playoffs, they did announce the dates and times for the games that will be played at Wings Event Center. The K-Wings will either play the Cincinnati Cyclones or Toledo Walleye in the opening round. The three dates released by the team are as follows: Game 3: Wednesday, April 17th at 7:30 pm; Game 4: Friday, April 19th at 7:30 and Game 5: Saturday, April 20th at 7:-00 pm. Tickets go on sale on Friday. All tickets are $10 each, with the exception of seats on the glass, which are $20 each.
Chris Collins was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team on Wednesday afternoon. Collins, 26, leads the K-Wings with 64 points (28g, 36a) in 57 games this season. In addition, Collins leads the K-Wings and entire ECHL in short-handed goals with 6 and short-handed points with 10.
Submitted by Mark McGlothlen
