Shorthanded K-Wings defeat Cyclones 4-1

CINCINNATI, Ohio — If taking on the first place team in the division wasn’t enough for the Kalamazoo Wings, the flu bug posed another challenge for them on Monday afternoon as they battled the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Two players, defenseman Kyle Page and forward Wesley Myron, were out of the line and defenseman Sam Ftorek left the game in the second period with an injury, but the K-Wings pushed through the adversity to beat the Cyclones 4-1.

Another player, forward Alexandre Mallet, was also missing from the lineup as he was called up to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL yesterday.

Jumping out to a 2-0 first period lead, a rocket from Sam Ftorek gave the K-Wings their first goal of the afternoon. Just 42 seconds later Jeff Pierce scored on a breakaway to put the K-Wings up by a pair.

Tyler Shelast gave the K-Wings a 3-0 lead with his fifth of the season just 26 seconds into the second period.

The K-Wings held on to their three-goal advantage despite being outshot 21-5 in the period.

Former K-Wing Taylor Ellington put the Cyclones on the board just over a minute into the third period with his seventh goal of the season.

Regaining their three-goal lead later in the period, Brett Lysak scored his 16th of the year midway into the period.

The line of Lysak (one goal, one assist), Aaron Clarke (two assists) and Shelast (one goal, two assists) finished the game with a combined seven points.

Joel Martin stood tall as he turned away 40 of the 41 shots he faced while Brian Foster stopped 19 of the 23 he saw.

Both teams came up empty on the power play.

The K-Wings will continue their five-game road trip with a game against the Reading Royals on Friday. The K-Wings will then play two against the Elmira Jackals on Saturday and Sunday before returning home.

K-Wings News and Notes

Next home game: The K-Wings’ next home game will be Friday, March 1 when the face-off against the Cyclones on Vegas Night. The game begins at 7:30 p.m.

Special Appearance: The stars of truTV’s Hardcore Pawn will be the featured entertainment during the K-Wings March 9 game against the Toledo Walleye. Les Gold, Seth Gold and Ashley Broad will be at the game to sign autographs and will bring merchandise that fans can purchase. Fans can also bring in approved items for appraisal. In addition, one fan will be chosen to play the K-Wings/Hardcore Pawn version of “Let’s Make a Deal” during intermission.