Four-goal third period highlights Wings triumph in home opener

KALAMAZOO, MI—The Kalamazoo Wings and Brampton Beast were deadlocked at one for the first forty minutes of their contest, but a ferocious attack from the Wings eventually paved the way for a 5-2 Wings’ victory on Saturday night at Wings Event Center.

After some back and forth chances during the opening frame, the visiting Beast struck for the night’s first tally, midway through the period. While setting up on a power play, Willie Corrin snuck into the corner and lifted a short-side backhand that went into the top shelf of the goal.

Less than three minutes later, the Wings equalized, courtesy of Kyle Bushee. The veteran defenseman joined the attack on a rush and was rewarded for his aggressive play. Bushee forced a turnover, looked ahead, and snapped the puck into the net for his first of the season. The two teams skated into the locker rooms tied at one.

The second period was controlled by Kalamazoo, including a 13-5 shots on goal advantage, but neither team could find the net to break the stalemate. The scoreless second set the tone for what would be a thrilling final frame.

Early in the third period, Kalamazoo quickly moved the puck through center ice with some crisp passing from Bushee to Peter Schneider, freeing Lane Scheidl to receive a pass, take two steps over the line, and laser a wrist shot over the leg of Beast goalie Michael McNiven.

The goals continued to pour in during the late minutes of the third period, as Eric Kattelus forced a steal in the offensive zone, walked the puck in on goal and was unmarked as he chipped it over the blocker of McNiven for his second of the season. It would prove to be the eventual game winner as it put Kalamazoo up 3-1 with five minutes left.

Over a busy next three minutes of game time, Brampton were able to cut the Wings’ lead to a goal with a tight angle tally from Corey Durocher, but the Wings roared back with two more goals of their own, separated by less than a minute.

Scott Henegar scored his first of the year by crashing the net with his stick on the ice and burying a rebound that was left in the wake of a Danny Moynihan effort. Justin Taylor sealed the deal with an empty net goal with 2:34 remaining in regulation, capping off a 5-2 victory for Kalamazoo.

Next: Kalamazoo @ Brampton Beast, Sunday, October 22, 2:00 p.m., Powerade Centre.

Broadcast information: Sunday’s game will air on AM 1660 The Fan in Kalamazoo or online at www.1660thefan.com/listen-live.

Notes: Bushee moved into 29th in ECHL history by appearing in his 526th career game…Schneider extended his point streak to 16 consecutive games, dating back to March 5 of last season…Kalamazoo have won eight of their last nine against Brampton, dating back to last season…The Wings went 0/5 on the power play and 4/5 on the penalty kill.

Stats: https://www.echl.com/stats/game-center/14959

Single-game tickets are on sale! Tickets start as low as $10 and can be purchased at http://kwings.com/SingleGameTickets or at the Wings Event Center box office.

Wings Event Center, owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, is home to the minor league hockey team Kalamazoo Wings 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.

###