K-Wings hold on to defeat Komets 4-3

With every win, every point for that matter, important to the Kalamazoo Wings playoff hopes, the K-Wings almost let two points slip away against the Fort Wayne Komets on Wednesday night.

The Komets, for whom the K-Wings are trailing for third place in the Central Division, fell behind to the K-Wings by a score of 4-1, before mounting a comeback.

Scoring a pair of goals just 15 seconds apart, the K-Wings took a quick 2-0 lead just over three minutes into the first period.  Chris Collins scored his 28th of the year and Brenden Bradley scored his eighth while on the power play.

Cutting the lead in half just a minute later, Kyle Hope put the home team on the board to make it a 2-1 game.

Kyle Blaney added his 11th of the season later in the period to give the K-Wings a 3-1 lead heading into the second period.

Scoring his sixth goal of the season early in the middle period,  Michael Neal gave the K-Wings a 4-1 lead. The goal by Neal was scored on the power play.

The Komets then mounted a comeback bid.  Brady Shaw and Mason Baptista scored a pair of goals to close out the period and bring the Komets to within one goal of the K-Wings, 4-3.

The K-Wings and goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks, closed the door on the Komets the remainder of game, holding on for the 4-3 win.  With the win, the K-Wings closed the gap between the Komets to a single point.

The K-Wings host the Wheeling Nailers this Saturday night at Wings Event Center for their regular season finale, Fan Appreciation Night.  The K-Wings will also be honoring the 2005-06 Colonial Cup Champion team.

By: Mark C. McGlothlen