WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The school bell rang early for the Kalamazoo Wings (2-4-1-0) and the Adirondack Thunder (7-0-0-0) on Education Day at Wings Event Center Wednesday morning, and the Thunder taught a lesson on perseverance.
K-Wings net minder, Joel Martin, fresh off being named as the ECHL Goaltender of the Week, was 63 seconds from a shut-out victory when the Thunder sprang to life.
Colin Murray put the K-Wings on the board early in the first period with his first goal of the season.
With neither team scoring in the second period, the K-Wings held on to their 1-0 lead over the undefeated Thunder.
The Wings would extend their lead to two with just over one-minute to play in the game. Taking advantage of a Thunder penalty, Dane Fox snuck to the far post, and slid the puck past the outstretched Appleby off a high-slot pass from Alex Mallet.
With just over a minute remaining in regulation, the Thunder pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker and the payoff was huge.
Ryan Constant, utilizing a screen in front of Martin, fired a slap shot from the high slot, placing the puck in the top left corner cutting the Kalamazoo lead in half.
With just 15 seconds left in the game, the Thunder kept the pressure on with the extra skater and struck again to tie the game at 2-2.
After the initial shot from Rob Bordson was stopped by Martin, David Shields found the loose puck near the left faceoff circle and lifted one into the open net.
The Thunder sealed their improbably comeback during the three-on-three overtime. Midway through the extra period, the Wings were trapped in their own zone allowing Bordson the time to walk into the slot, and rip the puck past Martin, giving the Thunder their seventh straight win to start the season.
The K-Wings head on the road for two games this weekend, Friday in Wheeling, WV and Saturday in Fort Wayne, before returning home to host the Komets on Sunday.
The K-Wings host NFL night on Sunday, November 8. With a 4 p.m. puck drop, the tailgate begins at 3 p.m. with a lounge area to watch your favorite NFL teams, inflatable games, and a chance to win either an Xbox One or a trip to Los Angeles to watch a taping of NFL Game Day Morning.
K-Wings News and Notes: Joel Martin played in his 250th career ECHL game. Dane Fox netted his first goal of the season. Cory Pritz and Tanner Sorenson both played in their first professional games. Pritz ended the night with an assist, while Sorenson finished with an even plus/minus rating and two shots on goal. Kalamazoo played in their first three-on-three overtime contest in franchise history
Submitted by Mark McGlothlen
