FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2023
K-WINGS STRIKE FIRST, HEARTLANDERS RESPOND FRIDAY
Kalamazoo runs into hot Iowa team and is unable to capitilize on strong second period.
CORALVILLE, IA – The Kalamazoo Wings (20-26-4-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets, grabbed an early lead but ultimately fell to the Iowa Heartlanders (13-26-10-1) by a final score of 5-2 Friday at Xtream Arena.
The first goal of the game was the first in a K-Wings uniform for Kurt Gosselin (4) as he flipped in a shot that had eyes from the blue line at the 5:28 mark of the first period. Darby Llewellyn (8) and Justin Taylor (16) earned the assists on the opening score, with Taylor (236) moving ahead of Kevin Schamehorn (235) for sole possession of No. 3 on Kalamazoo’s all-time assist leaderboard.
Iowa struck back with a power play goal at the 8:10 mark. The Heartlanders then scored two more goals early in the second at the 1:42 and 2:13 marks, to take a 3-1 lead.
Luke Morgan (5) drew the K-Wings back to within one with a blast from the right circle at the 4:35 mark. On the play, Gosselin (2) gathered a loose puck from the boards near the left circle and sent a cross-ice pass to Morgan for the goal. Goes in the books as Gosselin’s first multi-point game as a K-Wing.
The Heartlanders then made it 4-2 with a goal at the 16:35 mark of the second.
That was all Hunter Vorva (10-8-1-0) would allow and an empty-net goal at the 18:23 mark of the third sealed the victory for the Heartlanders. Vorva finished with 31 saves on 35 shots faced.
Kalamazoo and Iowa will run it back Saturday at Xtream Arena, with puck drop set for 8:05 p.m. EST.
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Grab your Scooby Snacks, because there’s a 100% chance you (and your dogs) will have a great time at this game. This year, Scooby-Doo is taking over the “Pucks n Paws Game” as the K-Wings host Tulsa at 7:00 p.m. on Mar. 4 at Wings Event Center. Don’t miss the pup race across the ice during the first intermission, and the Scooby-Doo jersey auction following the game. Secure your seats HERE!
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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 the 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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