FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 2024
K-WINGS' SPECIAL TEAMS SHINE OVER BISON, EARN 4TH STRAIGHT WIN
Kalamazoo matches its longest winning streak this season with the franchise’s 1st win in Bloomington.
BLOOMINGTON, IL – The Kalamazoo Wings (12-13-1-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, went up 3-0 and held on as the Bloomington Bison (10-15-0-2) charged back late in the third period Saturday, winning 3-2 at Grossinger Motors Arena.
Ben Berard (10) started the scoring for Kalamazoo at the 5:32 mark of the first. Quinn Preston (11) set him up with a pass in the neutral zone, and Berard beat a Bloomington defender and found the five-hole for the goal.
The K-Wings made it 2-0 with a power play goal by Max Humitz (7) at the 18:28 mark. Berard (5) scooped up his own rebound and found Humitz alone in the slot to rifle a one-timer home. Jon Martin (4) earned the secondary assist on the power play tally.
Zach Okabe (7) notched Kalamazoo’s second power play goal of the game at the 8:28 mark of the third. Berard (6) won a battle for the puck along the boards and found Okabe at the top of the slot, and he fired a wrister home. Preston (12) earned the secondary assist on the game-winning goal.
Bloomington charged back with a goal at the 14:02 mark, and added another tally with 18 seconds remaining and the extra attacker on after Kalamazoo killed 6-on-4 advantage due to a late penalty call.
Ty Young (4-2-0-0) anchored an incredible defensive effort by Kalamazoo, making 22 saves to secure the victory. The K-Wings went 2-for-4 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. Kalamazoo also took the shot total, 30-24.
The K-Wings and Bison finish the weekend set at 4 p.m. Sunday at Grossinger Motors Arena.
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The annual New Eve game is back versus the Indy Fuel on Dec. 31. Dont miss out on the Hungry Howie’s Friends and Family deal! Tap HERE to secure the package that pays for itself (4 tickets, 4 K-Wings knit hats and a $20 Hungry Howie’s voucher).
The ECHL HOF Dinner is coming to Kalamazoo on Friday, January 18. You can secure your spot to hear Kalamazoo Legend Bernie Saunders give the keynote address, plus the Stanley Cup and associated trophies are expected to make an appearance. Click above to get all the perks on this historic night!
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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 Vancouver Canucks and the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks. Kalamazoo plays their 36 regular season home games at Wings Event Center from October through April.
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