FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 24, 2023

K-WINGS DOWN NAILERS BEHIND CAJAN’S STRONG PERFORMANCE

Kalamazoo gets back in win column with solid defense and timely goals.

BOX SCORE

*Game Report updated on March 25 at 4:00 p.m. to reflect official scoring corrections

WHEELING, WV – The Kalamazoo Wings (24-33-4-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets, took down the Wheeling Nailers (25-32-5-0) behind a phenomenal defensive performance and even better goaltender play, winning 2-1 on Friday at WesBanco Arena.

Pavel Cajan (6-5-0-0) refused to cave under heavy pressure from the Nailers, stopping 35 of 36 shots faced in the win. He turned in several highlight-reel worthy stops, including a handful of point-blank robberies in the third period to preserve the lead.

The K-Wings opened the scoring at the 17:25 mark of the first with Justin Taylor (16) notching a power play goal. On the play, Robert Calisti (13) sent a pass along the blue line to Brad Morrison (10), who ripped a shot that Taylor redirected for the score. It was the first point as a K-Wing for both Calisti and Morrison after coming to Kalamazoo at the trade deadline last week.

Wheeling struck back at the 2:51 mark of the second period to tie the game at one.

Early in the third period, Kalamazoo regained the lead with Collin Saccoman (3) blasting one from just above the right circle into a wide open net at the 1:31 mark. Kobe Roth (13) drew Nailers goalie Tommy Napier (5-12-0-0) out of position, as he charged down the left slot and rung the post. The rebound went to Brandon Saigeon (26), who forwarded the puck to Saccoman’s stick.

The K-Wings immediately head to Indianapolis to square off against the Indy Fuel (37-22-3-0) Saturday at 7:00 p.m. EDT at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

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It’s morphin time on Saturday, Apr. 1 at Wings Event Center versus the Iowa Heartlanders. Get your tickets HERE, and join us as we pay tribute to the iconic 90s show that found its way to the big screens & playgrounds around the country for decades. Come to the game and get your photo taken with a Power Ranger, and stick around postgame for the Power Rangers jersey auction. The 'Power Rangers Meet & Greet Ticket Package' is also available for the game, and includes four white-level tickets, a private meet & greet with a Power Ranger and a photo with a Power Rangers character.

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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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