Game Day: K-Wings Head to Ft. Wayne for Saturday Night Meeting

Game #8

Kalamazoo (3-3-0-1) at Ft. Wayne (2-5-0-0)

7:30 pm | Memorial Coliseum

Watch: ECHL.TV

Listen: 1660 the Fan

Last Time Out:

A four-goal second period doomed the K-Wings as Cincinnati handed Kalamazoo their third straight defeat 7-1 on Friday night. The Cyclones netted the first three goals of the night, taking a 3-0 lead before Justin Taylor got Kalamazoo on the board late in the period. Taylor's tally, coming short-handed, was his fifth of the season, and Kalamazoo's third short-handed goal of the season. 

In the second period the Cyclone offense did the rest of the scoring for the night, getting four unanswered goals. Judd Peterson led the way for the Cyclones, scoring twice in the period. Jake Hildebrand started the game before giving way to Keegan Asmundson after the fifth goal of the night. 

Season Series:

Saturday will be the third meeting between the K-Wings and Cyclones this season, and the second at Memorial Coliseum. Kalamazoo won each of the first two meetings, one both in Kalamazoo and Ft. Wayne two weeks ago. The teams will play 11 more times this season, with six of those coming in Ft. Wayne.

Last season the K-Wings controlled the season series, topping Ft. Wayne in five of the six meetings. In recent history though the Komets hold the edge in Ft. Wayne, winning 10 of 18 meetings.  

Getting on the Board:

Justin Taylor got the K-Wings on the board Friday night, netting his fifth goal of the season. Coming off the two highest scoring seasons of his career, Taylor currently leads the K-Wings in goals, and is tied with a slew of players for the third highest goal total this season. In each of the five previous seasons Taylor only failed to surpass the 20-goal mark on one occasion. 

Shorthanded goals:

The shorthanded goal scored by Taylor last night gives the K-Wings three shorthanded tallies on the season, tied for second most in the ECHL. Kalamazoo is one of seven teams with a trio of shorthanded goals so far this season. All season of those squads are trying to chase down Orlando, who has four shorthanded tallies. In comparison, last season the K-Wings only scored five shorthanded goals all season. 

Another Debut:

Forward Luke Sandler made his Kalamazoo debut on Friday night after being signed in the afternoon. Sandler is the 23rd player to suit up for the K-Wings this season. The forward joined the K-Wings after beginning the season with the Atlanta Gladiators, appearing in five games. Kalamazoo has two players, Travis Armstrong and Aleksandr Mikulovich, who have yet to appear in a game this season.To make room on the roster for Sandler, forward Jimmy Mullin was placed on IR. 

Upcoming:

Kalamazoo returns home on Sunday to conclude the three-in-three, taking on the Idaho Steelheads. Sunday is Dino Day as the K-Wings will honor the movie series and book Jurassic Park. Dinosaurs will roam the concourse, as well as Dino themed concessions. In addition the first 200 kids in attendance will get a Kyle Thomas player photo. There will also be a post-game skate with the entire team open to the public.

Kalamazoo continues a brief home stand next weekend as they host the Toledo Walleye and Brampton Beast. Saturday night is Military Appreciation Night when the Beast come to Wings Event Center. The Wings will be wearing specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. All proceeds from the auction will go to Talon's Out.