Four Straight Sends Komets Past K-Wings

Kalamazoo, MI.- Four straight goals in the middle of the game proved to be the difference as the Komets topped the K-Wings 6-3 on Saturday night in Kalamazoo.

Justin Taylor scored in the third period, giving the forward goals in each of his last three games, and a point in six of eight games to start the season. Chris Collins picked up a pair of assists for the K-Wings giving the forward his first professional multi-point game.

Kalamazoo scored first for the first time in three games when Chad McDonald got the K-Wings on the board just over six and a half minutes in. Chris Collins caused a turnover in the right corner, sending the puck out to Kyle Bushee at the point. Lukas Hafner made the initial save but McDonald gathered the rebound in the slot, sliding it past Hafner to give the K-Wings the 1-0 lead. The Komets tied the game up midway through the first period, sending the game into the first intermission tied at 1-1. Jason Binkley took a pass at the tops of the circles and wristed a shot into the top corner knotting the game up.

Only one goal was scored in the middle frame, and it belonged to the home side. A goal from Justin Kea, sliding through the high slot, gave the Komets the lead. From there they would never relinquish it.

The final frame was a crazy one as the teams combined for six total goals, four from the Komets and two from Kalamazoo. Ft. Wayne extended their lead to 4-1, getting goals from Martineau and Petruzelli before the K-Wings would score again. Trailing by three Kalamazoo quickly answered. Wade Murphy cut down through the circle, taking a pass from Luke Sandler and quickly put a wrist shot past Hafner and in the net. The new deficit was short lived though as the Komets scored 0:36 later. Phelix Martineau’s pass in front of the net to Justin Hodgman left the forward all alone in front. The forward tucked the puck past Hildebrand for his fourth point of the night.

Kalamazoo stormed right back, answering once again to cut the lead to two. Justin Taylor entered the zone on the left wing and sprinted down, putting an odd angle shot short side and into the net. Taylor’s tally cut the lead to 5-3. In the last minute of play with the goaltender pulled the Komets added an empty net goal to round out the scoring.

Jake Hildebrand, making his eighth straight start, stopped 21 of 26 shots while suffering the loss. Ft. Wayne’s Hafner stopped 26 of 29 meanwhile in the defeat.

Kalamazoo is back in action Sunday afternoon to conclude a three-in-three against the Idaho Steelheads at Wings Event Center. It is the lone matchup between the teams this season.

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.

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