FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2026

K-WINGS SNIPE HEARTLANDERS SUNDAY

Kalamazoo responds with two in third to stymy Iowa’s late comeback, securing its second straight versus Heartlanders. 

BOX SCORE

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (12-14-2-2), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, overcame three straight goals with two of their own to best the Iowa Heartlanders (9-21-2-0) Sunday at Wings Event Center, 4-3.

Ryan Cox (8) broke the 3-3 tie with the game-winning goal at the 15:10 mark. On the play, Jayden Lee (11) found David Keefer (8) rushing across center ice with Cox. Keefer then dished the puck behind him to Cox in the slot for the game-winning shot that sailed just inside the right post. 

It took Raymond Brice (1) only 2:24 into his return to the ECHL to score his first goal in nearly three years with a top-shelf backhand from the right side of the crease to give the K-Wings the early lead. On the play, Todd Skirving (2) won a left circle faceoff that was cleaned up by Spencer Kennedy (3), who sent a behind-the-back pass to Brice out front.  

Kylor Wall (3) carried the momentum, landing a bomb from just inside the left end of the blue line at the 8:38 mark. On the setup, Powell Connor (1) sent the puck around the endboards to Spencer Kennedy (4), who backhanded another behind-the-back pass to Wall on the blue line, increasing the lead to two. 

Unfortunately, the Heartlanders responded with three straight goals, one at the 13:04 mark and then two at the 23-second and 3:39 marks of the third period. 

However, Collin Saccoman (3) stepped in to even the game at three with a backhanded flick past the goaltender at the 12:25 mark. On the goal, Davis Pennington (11) passed to Quinn Preston (15) at the blue line, who fed Saccoman in the slot for the dangle tuck. 

Ty Young (5-1-0-0) was stout between the pipes, turning aside 32 of 35 shots, and the K-Wings went a perfect 1-for-1 on the penalty kill. 

Next up, Kalamazoo travels to Iowa for a midweek clash and the final of three straight against Iowa for an 8 p.m. puck drop on Wednesday, January 14, at Xtream Arena. 

The K-Wings then 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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