FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2023
K-WINGS BATTLE FOR 60, STREAKING WALLEYE PREVAIL
Kalamazoo outshoots Toledo 31-10 over final two frames, but Toledo emerges on top.
KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (23-29-4-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets, pushed the Toledo Walleye (38-15-4-2) to the brink but the Walleye held on for a 4-1 victory with two empty net goals on Friday at Wings Event Center.
Toledo struck first just 13 seconds into the game and pushed the lead to 2-0 at the 6:14 mark of the first period.
The K-Wings refused to go down easy, outshooting and out-chancing the Walleye the rest of the way out. Unfortunately for Kalamazoo, Sebastian Cossa (21-13-0-2) continued his strong play with 36 stops on 37 shots faced in his eighth consecutive victory.
Kalamazoo pulled goalie Pavel Cajan (5-3-0-0) with around three minutes remaining and down by two. Just moments after a great scoring opportunity for the K-Wings, Toledo sent the puck from goal line to goal line for an empty netter at 17:24 of the third.
But the K-Wings still weren’t done. Raymond Brice (12) reached a new career-high in goals shot on the rush from the right circle with 1:23 left on the clock. Justin Taylor (18) and Ryan Cook (9) assisted on Brice’s tally.
Another empty-net goal by the Walleye at the 19:18 mark completed the scoring in the game.
Cajan was stout throughout, keeping the K-Wings alive with 20 saves on 22 shot attempts.
Kalamazoo immediately heads to Iowa to face off against the Heartlanders (13-30-12-1) Saturday at 8:05 p.m. EST at Xtream Arena.
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It’s March, which means it’s almost time for THE biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Kalamazoo, the K-Wings’ 39th annual ‘Green Ice’ game! Secure your seats HERE, because Wings Event Center is filling up fast for the grandaddy of all Painted Ice games. Stay post-game for the player-worn jersey auction, and it's also $3 Friday, so enjoy $3 beers, sodas and hot dogs while watching your K-Wings face the Fort Wayne Komets.
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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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