FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2022

K-WINGS FALL AT HOME TO NAILERS, PLAYOFF HOPES STILL ALIVE 

Kalamazoo fought hard, but Wheeling controlled the scoring pace and won, 3-2.

BOX SCORE   

KALAMAZOO, MI - The Kalamazoo Wings (36-33-1-0) narrowed a two goal deficit to one twice, but couldn’t catch the Wheeling Nailers (39-29-4-0) at the end and lost Wednesday at Wings Event Center, 3-2.

The K-Wings showed resilience in a pivotal Central Division matchup down the stretch at home. Unfortunately, the Nailers never trailed in this one.

Wheeling took a 1-0 lead into the second and extended its lead to two at the 3:37 mark. Kalamazoo then established it wasn’t going away easily when Kyle Blaney (13) scored just 1:46 later on a great goalmouth feed from Eric Kattelus (9).

The Nailers scored the game-winner just over seven minutes later, but captain Justin Taylor (24) drew the K-Wings to within one with his eleventh power play goal of the season at the 19:25 mark. 

On the goal, Taylor rifled one from just above the goal line, underneath the right circle, that redirected off the goaltender and in as the power play was set to expire. Jake Slaker (21) and Justin Murray (23) assisted on the goal. 

Kalamazoo outshot Wheeling in the final two periods, but was unable to find the equalizer in the third.

Trevor Gorsuch (23-23-0-0) made 28 saves in the loss, and Blaney established a new career high in goals with his second period tally.

The K-Wings now trail Cincinnati by two points for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division with two games to go for both teams. With the win, Wheeling clinched its first playoff berth since 2015-16. 

Next up for Kalamazoo is the last home game of the regular season versus the Toledo Walleye (47-19-2-2) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Wings Event Center.  

Friday is also ‘Fan Appreciation & Jersey Retirement Night’ at Wings Event Center. Be one of the first 1,000 fans and receive a mini Tyler Willis retirement banner replica and a team poster. Also, don’t miss out on the in-game giveaways and the team’s season awards immediately following the conclusion of the game. Looking for a steal of a deal to attend? Don’t miss out on the Hungry Howie's 4-pack (4 Tickets, 4 K-Wings Winter Hats, 2 Team gifts of choice and a $20 Hungry Howie’s voucher). There will also be a K-Wings white jersey auction following the game. All proceeds benifit United Way. 

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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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