FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2020

K-WINGS TAKE THIRD PERIOD LEAD, FALL LATE IN ALLEN

Four different lead changes highlight a wild game in Texas, as Kalamazoo falls 6-4 to Allen.

Box Score

ALLEN, TX – A series of third period lead changes swung into the Allen Americans (26-7-6-1) favor as the Americans beat the Kalamazoo Wings (12-18-4-0), 6-4 Saturday at Allen Event Center.

A physical first period saw just seven combined shots in the first 13 minutes of play. Kalamazoo struck first on its second power play, when Zach Diamantoni centered a pass across the slot to a wide-open Aaron Thow. Wasting no time, Thow ripped a wrist shot under the crossbar to make it 1-0.

The Americans tied the game with just under one minute remaining in the opening frame, as Olivier Archambault set up Gabriel Gagne for a tap-in as Gagne was cutting to the net. The K-Wings held a 9-6 shots advantage after 20 minutes.

Allen capitalized on an early four-minute power play in the second period when Jared VanWormer threw a pass from the corner to the backdoor for Stepan Falkovsky, who shot a one-timer past Jake Hildebrand. The K-Wings goaltender previously stopped seven shots on that power play and finished the period with 18 saves on 20 attempts.

Alex Guptill gave the Americans a 3-1 lead when he scooped up a loose puck at the top of the left circle and floated a shot into the top of the net. Kalamazoo answered 16 seconds later, when Kyle Blaney tipped a point shot from Ian Edmondson past Dereck Baribeau. Matheson Iacopelli appeared to tie the game late in the period on a tic-tac-toe passing play, but the goal was waived off upon video review, as it was determined Iacopelli kicked the puck into the net.

During a wild third period, Ben Wilson tied the game for Kalamazoo when his point shot made it through traffic and into the top of the net. The K-Wings then went back in front with their second power play goal of the game, as Zach Saar jammed home a loose puck from the edge of the crease.

After a series of penalties midway through the final stanza, the Americans tied things up at 4-4, when Gagne scored his second of the game. Allen then pulled ahead 5-4 on the fourth lead change of the game when Brett Pollock sent a shot from the point that deflected off of a body and past Hildebrand 1:26 after Gagne’s goal.

An empty net goal from Gagne completed his hat trick and sealed Allen’s 6-4 win.

The K-Wings return home to host the Florida Everblades Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for “2-6-9 Night” at Wings Event Center. Fans can purchase beers and sodas for just $2, wings baskets for $6 and tickets for $9. Tickets are available at the Wings Event Center box office or at kwings.com.

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Kalamazoo Wings 3-Packs are now available online! Reserve your tickets for the three biggest games in the best seats with the best eats. Visit kwings.com for more information about all the perks that come with a K-Wings 3-Pack!

The Kalamazoo Wings are a professional hockey team located in southwest Michigan that has been a staple in the Kalamazoo, MI professional sports landscape since 1974. The K-Wings compete in the ECHL and are the AA affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks. Kalamazoo plays their 36 regular season home games at Wings Event Center from October through April.

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