FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 14, 2026

K-WINGS DROP HEARTLANDERS ON ROAD WEDNESDAY

Kalamazoo’s third-period goal stymied Iowa’s second-period comeback, making it three straight wins. 

BOX SCORE

CORALVILLE, IA – The Kalamazoo Wings (13-14-2-2), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, rode Davis Pennington's three assists in a mid-week win over the Iowa Heartlanders (9-22-2-0) on Wednesday at Xtream Arena, 3-2.

Kalamazoo’s second power-play goal of the night went in the books as the game-winner off the stick of Andre Ghantous (9) at the 9:24 mark of the third period, making it 3-2. On the goal, Pennington (14) recorded his third assist of the night by finding David Keefer (9) in the right circle, who found Ghantous on the goal line for the go-ahead tuck past the netminder. 

Keefer (1) found the back of the net for the first time this season as well, getting the scoring started for the K-Wings at the 7:11 mark of the first period. On the play, Hunter Strand (8) passed to Pennington (12) in the right circle, who found a leering Keefer on the left edge of the crease for the bang-bang goal. 

Colin Bilek (7) then rode the momentum on a four-minute power-play opportunity, scoring the second goal of the night for Kalamazoo at the 11:53 mark. On the setup, Pennington (13) skated the puck above the slot before finding Nolan Walker (15) in the right circle. Walker then crossed to Bilek for a left-circle one-timer to bring the lead to two. 

Unfortunately, Iowa found the back of the net with 10 seconds remaining in the first period, bringing the score to 2-1. The Heartlanders went on to score the only goal of the second period at the 15:10 mark to knot the score at two. 

Ty Young (6-1-0-0) was phenomenal in net, turning aside 29 of 31 shots. The K-Wings went 1-for-1 on the penalty kill, 2-for-4 on the power play and took the shot total 38-31.

The K-Wings return home for our 5th Annual Rainbow Ice Night at 7 p.m. EST on Friday, January 16! The ice will shine bright, and so will the fans at Wings Event Center in a show of unity and support. Don’t miss this vibrant night of inclusion, celebration, and K-Wings hockey! Stick around post-game for the specialty jersey auction.

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Take it easy on the wallet with the K-Wings Rainbow Ice Ticket Package! For just $89, you and your crew get four great seats (White or Blue level) to the exciting Rainbow Ice game plus a free game of bowling at Airway Fun Center, perfect for pre- or post-game fun. Even better: 10% of your purchase goes to support United Way of South Central Michigan, so you’re scoring big both on and off the ice. Don’t wait — this limited-time package brings fans together for thrilling hockey and good times!

The Dark Side invades Wings Event Center on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., presented by Discover Kalamazoo, as the K-Wings battle the Toledo Walleye on Star Wars Night! Join the Resistance, wear your Jedi best, and get ready for an epic showdown in a galaxy not-so-far away.

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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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