Kalamazoo, MI.- Eric Kattelus scored in the last minute of overtime on Friday giving the K-Wings their second straight victory as they topped the Rapid City Rush 3-2.
Kyle Thomas got the K-Wings on the board with his third goals in two games just 2:31 into the first. Thomas collected a pass from Chad McDonald on the right side of the ice, before tapping it past Tyler Parks, giving the home side a 1-0 lead early in the first.
After Kalamazoo nearly made it a 2-0 game on one end the Rush stormed back the other way, getting a tally from Willem Nong-Lambert to tie the game at 1-1 just under eight minutes into the second. Later in the period the K-Wings retook the lead. Tyler Ganly walked in from the right point and wristed a shot from the circle past Parks to put the K-Wings up 2-1. That lead last for exactly 1:03 as the Rush came right back. Cedric Montminy stepped around the K-Wings before tucking the puck past Jake Hildebrand, tying the game at 2-2.
After a scoreless third period the teams headed into the three-on-three overtime, tied at 2-2. Late in the overtime Eric Kattelus applied pressure on the forecheck in the Rapid City zone. A poke check from Kattelus knocked the puck off the stick of the Rapid City defender, and through the legs of Parks giving the K-Wings the 3-2 victory.
Kalamazoo moves to 19-19-0-2 with the victory, and remains five points back of fourth place Indy in the Central Division.
Jake Hildebrand finished the night making 27 saves on 29 shots, while Tyler Parks made 37 stops on 40 shots.
Kalamazoo returns to action tomorrow night in Indy for the first of a home-and-home with the Fuel.
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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