FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2026

K-WINGS EXPLODE FOR SIX, CLIP CYCLONES IN COMEBACK VICTORY MONDAY

Kalamazoo rides five multi-point scorers in game-of-the-year contender against Cincinnati. 

BOX SCORE

CINCINNATI, OH – The Kalamazoo Wings (15-15-2-2), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, erased a 3-goal deficit with three consecutive goals of their own in an electrifying, back-and-forth, 6-5 beating of the Cincinnati Cyclones (16-14-3-0) Monday at Heritage Bank Center.

Kalamazoo’s 2026 All-Star Zach Okabe (9) tallied a high slot wrister for the game-winning goal with 2:40 remaining in regulation. On the go-ahead, Quinn Preston (18) won a left circle faceoff, sending the puck to Okabe, who skated above the slot and sealed the game.

Preston (1g, 2a), in his 200th career ECHL game, was one of five K-Wings to record multiple points along with Okabe (1g, 2a), Hunter Strand (2g), Jayden Lee (1g, 1a), and Colin Bilek (2a).

Cincinnati struck first with a goal at the 1:21 mark of the first period, but Kishaun Gervais (3) responded with his first goal for Kalamazoo at the 5:50 mark. On the play, Bilek (5) passed to a firing Todd Skirving (3) above the left circle. Gervais then collected the rebound that caromed off the netminder's left pad and sent it inside the left post from the edge of the crease to knot the game at one. 

Unfortunately, the Cyclones responded with two goals at the 16:09 and 17:16 marks. Cincinnati then scored again at the 10:02 mark of the second frame, bringing the score to 4-1. 

Strand (10) then took advantage of a power-play opportunity and an out-of-position goaltender, lifting a blind-side shot into the top shelf at the 13:39 mark to cut the deficit to two. On the goal, Okabe (16) fired a left-circle pass to Preston (17) on the goal line. Preston’s attempt from the crease sparked an eight-player scrum, and the puck slipped through to Strand at the right-edge of the crease, where he quickly buried it. 

Strand (11) started the third period by snapping home a beautiful backhanded shot from the top of the crease to bring the K-Wings within striking distance at the 2:33 mark. Bilek (6) was credited with the lone assist and his second helper of the day. 

Kalamazoo then scored its second power play goal of the game to even the game at four, as Lee (4) rushed the length of the ice and sniped a backhander inside the right post at the 9-minute mark. On the play, Jonathan Lemieux (1) picked up his second career ECHL assist, as the netminder left the puck for Lee behind the Kalamazoo net, and the defenseman went coast-to-coast.

Cincinnati responded with its first power-play goal at the 14:44 mark to regain the lead. 

However, the K-Wings would respond just 53 seconds later on the power play, as Preston (11) undressed the goaltender down low and wrapped it inside the right post for the equalizer at the 15:37 mark. On the setup, Okabe (17) went low-to-high to Lee (12) from the left wing corner, who then relayed the puck to Preston out front for a season-high third power play strike of the game.

Lemieux (4-4-1-2) was stout between the pipes, making 26 saves in the Monday matinee. The K-Wings took the shot total 40-31, were 3-for-6 on the power play and went 4-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Next up, Kalamazoo stays on the road for a matchup against the Toledo Walleye, at 7:15 p.m EST on Friday, January 23, at Huntington Center.

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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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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