The Kalamazoo Wings (10-6-0-0) traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah this past weekend to take on the Utah Grizzlies (11-7-1-0) in a three-game series.
After a scoreless first period on Friday night, the Grizzlies Tyler Crunk scored midway into the second period to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
Following the Grizzlies goal, the K-Wings took over the scoring, defeating the Grizzlies by a score of 3-1.
The K-Wings tied the game later in the period on a goal by Max Humitz, who had just returned to the lineup following a stint with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.
Several penalties called against the Grizzlies led to two K-Wings goals in the third period. Justin Taylor put an Erik Bradford rebound into the net for his seventh goal of the season. Tanner Sorensen netted a goal minutes later for his fourth of the year.
All goals were assisted by Erik Bradford and Brenden Miller. The K-Wings outshot the Grizzlies 42-25.
On Saturday, the K-Wings took a 1-0 lead midway into the first period on a Jay Slaker goal. After a scoreless second period, the Grizzlies tied the game on a goal by Tyler Penner in the opening minutes of the third.
Erik Bradford scored a pair of goals just over a minute apart to give the K-Wings a 3-1 lead.
The Grizzlies Brandon Carter scored a shorthanded goal later in the period to cut the K-WIngs lead to 3-2, but an empty-net goal by Tanner Sorensen with just under a minute remaining in the game sealed the K-WIngs victory.
On Monday night, the Grizzlies blanked the K-Wings 4-0.
K-Wings News and Notes:
Transactions: Goaltender Jet Greaves was called up to the AHL Cleveland Monsters. The K-Wings traded future considerations for Cincinnati Cyclones goaltender Joe Murdaca. Defenseman Giovanni Vallati was also recalled by the Monsters. Forward Carson Focht was loaned to the K-Wings by the AHL Abbotsford Canucks.
Milestone: On Saturday night, Justin Taylor racked up his 201st assist which pushed him past Sam Ftorek for 8th all-time in K-Wings history.
Upcoming Games: The K-Wings return home this weekend for three games. On Friday and Saturday, the K-Wings will host the Fort Wayne Komets for a pair of games. Puck drop is set for 7 pm. On Sunday, the Indy Fuel will be in town for the Teddy Bear Toss Game. Fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal to the game and when the K-Wings score their first goal, fans throw the animals on the ice. Animals will be collected and delivered to different charities in the Kalamazoo area. Game time is 3 pm.
Submitted by Mark McGlothlen