Blaney Plays Hero as K-Wings Top Cyclones

Cincinnati, OH.-  A goal from Kyle Blaney gave the K-Wings their third straight victory on Friday night, as they topped the Cyclones 4-3 in overtime.

Reid Gardiner netted a pair of goals while Kyle Blaney also recorded a pair of points (1g, 1a). Matt Joyaux made his pro debut on Friday night, netting his first professional point in the victory. Kalamazoo set a season high with 35 shots on net, and outshot the Cyclones 35-25.

The Cyclone power play opened the scoring in the first period giving Cincinnati the 1-0 lead 6:38 into regulation. Brady Vail’s slap shot from the top of the left circle beat Jake Hildebrand high, opening the scoring and giving the Cyclones the lead. Cincinnati doubled the lead just ninety seconds later as Vas Glotov netted his first goal of the season, putting the Cyclones up 2-0 at the first intermission.

In the second period Reid Gardiner jump started the K-Wing offense scoring twice in three minutes to bring the teams even late in the period. For the first time this season the Kalamazoo power play got on the board with 6:30 left in the period to cut the lead to one. Reid Gardiner’s shot from the top of the left circle beat Jonas Johansson high to bring the K-Wings within one. Two and half minutes later Gardiner struck again, tying the game at 2-2. The game remained knotted up at 2-2 as the horn sounded to end the second period.

Cincinnati struck again on the man-advantage early in the third period to retake the lead. On an odd-man rush Pascal Aquin tapped the puck past Jake Hildebrand, swinging the score back in the Cyclones favor. Three minutes later, the K-Wings power play struck again tying the game back up at 3-3. In front of the net Chris Collins tipped Kyle Blaney’s shot past Johansson, giving Kalamazoo their second power play goal of the night. After sixty minutes of play the teams remained tied, and headed to overtime. It didn’t take long in the extra frame as Kyle Blaney ended it just 0:45 into the three-on-three period. Stepping into the zone, Blaney wristed a shot from the circle that deflected off a defenseman’s shin pad and past the goaltender, giving Kalamazoo the 4-3 victory.

Jake Hildebrand finished with 22 saves on 25 shots in the victory as Kalamazoo won their third straight game. The K-Wing power play finished the night 2-for-3 while Cincinnati was 2-for-4.

Kalamazoo and Cincinnati are back in action tomorrow night at Wings Event Center for Nickelodeon and Orange Ice Night. Puck drop is set for 7:35pm.

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

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.