WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Erasing a third period deficit, the Kalamazoo Wings scored two unanswered in the final 20 minutes to defeat the Wheeling Nailers 2-1 Saturday night at the WesBanco Arena.
Despite being outshot 9-6 in the opening period, an early power-play opportunity put the Nailers on the scoreboard. Finding a loose puck to the left of K-Wings goaltender Riley Gill, Nick Peterson (2nd) scored 4:52 into the first period give Wheeling a 1-0.
No scoring in the second period, kept the Nailers ahead heading into the final 20 minutes. Fighting back midway in third period, Dustin Cloutier (3rd) pulled the K-Wings even scoring the equalizer with a power-play marker 12:37 into the stanza.
Earning their lone lead of the night, Darryl Bootland (13th) placed a wrister over the shoulder of Patrick Killeen for the eventual game-winner 17:28 into the period.
Making 31 saves on the evening, Gill earned his 15th victory of the season.
The K-Wings will return to Wings Stadium tomorrow, Sunday, January 29th with a 4 p.m. face-off versus the Reading Royals during a Family Hockey Day in the ‘ZOO, presented by Meijer, Pepsi, Charter Media and the Kalamazoo Gazette. During all Family Hockey Day’s in the ‘ZOO all kids eat FREE. Also during Sunday games, fans can participate in a FREE post-game skate with the players (skate rental additional), and the first 500 kids will receive a FREE giveaway, which for January 29th will be a Pepsi Lunch Bag.
This Sunday will coincide with Star Wars Night. Characters from the movie will be roaming the concourse before and during the game. Fans are encouraged to dress as their favorite Star Wars characters for a chance to win $100 in a costume contest for both adults and kids.
January 29th will be the 1,000th career game for forward Kory Karlander. The 17-year veteran, who has played 379 games in a K-Wings uniform, enters tomorrow one game shy of the milestone.
Submitted by Mike Modugno
