FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2026
K-WINGS EDGED IN DEFENSIVE SLUGFEST WITH WALLEYE FRIDAY
Kalamazoo goes toe-to-toe with Central leader, falls late despite stellar performances.
TOLEDO, OH – The Kalamazoo Wings (15-16-2-2), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, battled in a tight one, dropping the first half of the home-and-home series against the Toledo Walleye (21-8-2-3) Friday at Huntington Center, 2-1.
The Walleye struck on the power play to start the scoring off at the 13:16 mark of the first period.
Colin Bilek (9) knotted the game at one with a backhanded putback goal at the 18:04 mark of the second period. On the play, Robby Drazner (4) stole the puck and fed a rushing Griffin Ness (11), who fired a shot from the top of the crease and Bilek did the rest.
Unfortunately, Toledo scored at the 12:06 mark of the third period, finalizing a score of 2-1.
Jonathan Lemieux (4-4-1-2) was fantastic in net, earning the game’s third star as he turned aside 28 of 30 shots.
Next up, Kalamazoo returns home to take on the Toledo Walleye at 4:30 p.m EST on Saturday, January 24, at Wings Event Center.
The Dark Side invades Wings Event Center on Saturday for Star Wars Night, presented by Discover Kalamazoo! 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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Get ready to rock the rink at Motley Zoo Night on Friday, January 30, at 7 p.m.! The K-Wings will hit the ice in totally rad, 80s rock-inspired uniforms, then auction them off to fans postgame. It’s a night of hockey, hair metal, and high bids—don’t miss this blast from the past!
It’s time for Hockey with the Heelers, presented by Parker Aerospace, on Sunday, February 1, at 3 p.m.! Enjoy a FREE character appearance by Bluey & Bingo! Meet them, take photos, enjoy face painting, play Bluey-themed intermission games, and show off your keepie-uppie skills in the stands. Perfect for families - laugh, play, and cheer the K-Wings with the Heelers!
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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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