FOUR UNANSWERED LET K-WINGS FLY PAST FUEL, 8-4

For Immediate Release

Kalamazoo, MI.- Four unanswered goals in the third period helped the K-Wings claim their fourth straight victory on Wednesday night, topping the Indy Fuel 8-4.

Kyle Thomas scored for the seventh straight game, tying Chris Collins for the longest scoring streak in the ECHL this season. Michael Neal netted two points (1g, 1a) in his second game in the lineup, and first against his former squad. Reigning ECHL Player of the Month Tanner Sorenson notched a trio of assists, while Reid Gardiner (1g, 2a) and Eric Kattelus (2g, 1a) also had three point nights. Jake Hildebrand has now won each of his last six starts. The K-Wings move into a tie for fourth place in the Central Division with the victory. 

Kalamazoo got a pair of goals in the opening frame, jumping out to a 2-1 lead before the period was done. Quinton Shore got the Fuel on the board first 6:32 into the opening frame. Shore’s tally gave the Fuel the 1-0 lead but it was the only lead they’d hold. Michael Neal, in his first game against his former squad, collected a rebound in front and tapped it past Matt Tomkins to tie the game at 1-1, just over half way through the period. Three minutes later Reid Gardiner collected a pass from Tanner Sorenson in the high slot and ripped it past Tomkins to give the K-Wings the lead.

Leading 2-1 in the second period, Kyle Thomas extended his scoring streak to seven games, and point streak to nine, putting the K-Wings up 3-1 with his 11th goal of the season just 1:04 into the middle frame. Indy answered back getting a tally on a Robert Powers shot from the point, bringing themselves back within one. Chad McDonald pushed the lead back to two goals midway through the period, slamming home a pass from Luke Sandler behind the net to make it 4-2. Down by two the Fuel stormed back netting a pair of goals to tie the game at 4-4 early in the third period.

After Indy tied it up however the rest of the offense went to the K-Wings. Kalamazoo netted four unanswered goals in the third, pushing the score to 8-4. Brendan Bradley answered the Fuel’s fourth goal just 1:20 after Indy tied it up, sniping a shot into the top corner for his third goal of the season, and fourth point in four games since returning to the lineup. Bradley’s tally would serve as the game-winner as Jake Hildebrand shut the door the rest of the way. Kalamazoo would add goals from Zach Saar, and a pair from Eric Kattelus to round out the scoring for the night. As the final horn went the K-Wings skated out with an 8-4 victory, and moved into a tie for fourth place in the Central Division.

Jake Hildebrand stopped 20 of 24 shots in the victory, his sixth straight. Tomkins stopped 24 of 32 shots in the loss for the Fuel. The K-Wings finished the night two-for-five on the man-advantage.

The same teams are back in action on Friday night in Indy to wrap up a back-to-back set.

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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