FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2022
The Kalamazoo Wings (16-11-0-0) answered last night’s defeat with a three-goal outburst of their own against the Wheeling Nailers (15-12-1-0) and won by a score of 5-1 at WesBanco Arena on Sunday.
The winter downpour started just under five minutes into the second frame and lasted for about seven minutes.
When the storm settled, Raymond Brice (6,7) scored twice, Kyle Blaney (4) sniped a powerplay goal and Justin Taylor (16) made history.
Officially, it went Brice, Blaney, Brice, on the score sheet and Taylor is now tied with Eric Kattelus for 7th all-time in K-Wings history for career assists on the second Brice goal.
The story of the opening period was Tyler Rockwell’s first career goal, along with the outstanding play of Kalamazoo goaltender Jason Pawloski (1-0).
Rockwell’s focus was to get the it on net with his flip from the blue line, but the puck had eyes. The mix of the shot, great angle and a small crowd in the Wheeling right circle made for a perfect career moment.
Making his first professional start since the 2018-19 season, Pawlowski (31 saves) dazzled in his first period of action and throughout. Pawloski turned away scoring opportunities after scoring opportunity on the night and looked more than comfortable in the crease wearing the K-Wing crest.
Brice (2G) and Blaney (1G, 1A) both finished with multiple points the night before Logan Lambdin (12) pumped in his breakaway goal to make it 5-0.
Next up, Kalamazoo welcomes Fort Wayne (17-9-3-0) to Wings Event Center for 2-6-9 night this Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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The Kalamazoo Wings are a professional hockey team located in southwest Michigan that has been a staple in the Kalamazoo, MI professional sports landscape since 1974. The K-Wings compete in the ECHL and are the AA affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets and American Hockey League’s Cleveland Monsters. Kalamazoo plays their 36 regular season home games at Wings Event Center from October through April.
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