Taylor, Special Teams Send K-Wings Past Steelheads

Kalamazoo, MI.- Justin Taylor scored twice on Sunday afternoon as the K-Wings topped Idaho 3-1 in a game that featured goaltenders and special teams.

Keegan Asmundson made his first start for Kalamazoo and claimed his first victory of the season, stopping 29 of 30 shots. The Kalamazoo power play scored for the first time in 21 attempts when they scored the game-winning goal in the middle frame. Justin Taylor’s two tallies give the forward a four-game scoring streak.

It was the fourth short-handed goal of the season for Kalamazoo that broke the ice and got the scoring going in the middle frame. Wade Murphy tucked a rebound past the goaltender to get the K-Wings on the board at the 13:33 mark of the second period. Just moments later the Steelhead power play answered back, evening things up. Brady Norrish ripped a slap shot that found its way to the back of the net, tying the game less than a minute after Kalamazoo scored. That tie lasted just over two minutes before the K-Wings retook the lead. On the power play, Jagger Dirk connected with Justin Taylor in front of the net. Perched at the top of the crease, Taylor tapped the puck into a nearly empty cage. Kalamazoo took the 2-1 lead into the second intermission, and would never relinquish it.

In the third period Justin Taylor added an empty net goal to push the lead to 3-1, rounding out the scoring. The victory snapped a four-game skid for the K-Wings.

Keegan Asmundson, making his first start, stopped 29 of 30 shots claiming the victory, while Tomas Sholl stopped 23 of 25 in the loss.

Kalamazoo is back in action next weekend for a pair of games at home, as they host Brampton and Toledo on Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday’s game against Brampton will feature special military appreciation jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game.

Kalamazoo Wings single game and half season tickets are available now! More information can be gathered at www.kwings.com.

Wings Event Center, owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, is home to the Kalamazoo Wings professional hockey team and a full entertainment venue offering concerts, sporting events, family shows and trade shows. Built in 1974, Wings Event Center values partnerships with the community to bring events and attractions that enrich the lives of residents in the Kalamazoo area.