FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2025
K-WINGS STUN BISON IN FINAL MINUTE SATURDAY
Kalamazoo clipped Bloomington with 20 seconds remaining in a down to the wire back-and-forth battle.
BLOOMINGTON, IL – The Kalamazoo Wings (10-11-2-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, scored in the final minute of regulation and edged out the Bloomington Bison (15-8-2-0) to sweep the weekend pair Saturday at Grossinger Motors Arena, 2-1.
With 20 seconds remaining and the game knotted at one, Colin Bilek (5) iced the game by firing a top-shelf rocket from the left circle for the game-winning goal on the power-play. On the setup, David Keefer (3) sent a pass across the right circle to Nolan Walker (11), who immediately crossed to Bilek for the game-winner.
The two teams went back and forth in the first two periods, but the Bison took the early advantage with a short-handed goal at the 19:30 mark of the first period.
Derek Daschke (3) responded in the second period with a beautiful backhanded snipe from the top of the crease at the 16:02 mark of the middle frame. On the play, Andre Ghantous (7) won a battle for the puck near the right circle and threaded a pass to Hunter Strand (6). The rookie then dished the puck to Daschke in the slot for the equalizing shot.
Aku Koskenvuo (2-2-0-0) was fantastic in net, turning aside 19 of 20 shots, and the K-Wings went a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
Next week, the K-Wings stay on the road for a pair of games against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:35 p.m. EST on Friday, December 26, and Saturday, December 27 at Heritage Bank Center.
Kalamazoo returns home for its annual New Year’s Eve hockey game! Join the K-Wings as they battle the Toledo Walleye at 6 p.m. EST, December 31, at Wings Event Center. Start your NYE with thrilling hockey action, then catch the football games on TVs throughout the arena. It’s a tradition decades in the making—don’t miss out on ringing in the new year, K-Wings style!
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Jersey Giveaway Sundays continues on Sunday, January 4, as we honor the Detroit Pistons! The second of four themed games, this night features a special giveaway: the first 500 kids (12 & under) will receive a limited-edition K-Wings/Detroit Pistons-inspired youth basketball jersey. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate Detroit’s legendary sports teams and score some exclusive gear!
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The Kalamazoo Wings are a professional hockey team based in southwest Michigan, having 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 its 36 regular-season home games at Wings Event Center from October through April.
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