FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2026

K-WINGS BEST FUEL IN OT FRIDAY

Kalamazoo wins dramatically over Indy in the return to Wings Event Center.   

BOX SCORE

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (21-20-3-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, iced the game in an overtime thriller, outlasting the Indy Fuel (22-17-7-1) on Friday at Wings Event Center, 4-3.

Zach Okabe (12) sniped the bar-down game winner 4:40 into overtime. On the game-winner, Quinn Preston (26) out-battled defenders against the left-wing boards and launched a loose puck to an awaiting Okabe in the slot, extending his personal point streak to nine games.

The Fuel took the early advantage, scoring a goal at the 2:45 mark of the first. 

Andre Ghantous (12) answered with a net front power-play chip to even the score at one at the 11:25 mark. On the goal, Colin Bilek (13) sent a pass from the left dot to Nolan Walker (20) on the right point. Walker then zipped a pass to a waiting Ghantous at the left edge of the crease for the goal. 

Powell Connor (2) then gave the K-Wings their first lead of the game, backhanding the puck through the netminder’s pads at the 18:26 mark of the second period. On the play, Josh Bloom (9) dished the puck from center ice to a rushing Ryan Cox (7), who centered to a driving Connor before the defenseman put it home in the crease.

The captain Collin Saccoman (4) then fired a bomb from the top of the right circle that found the back of the net at the 12:00 mark of the third frame. On the setup, Hunter Strand (12) found Quinn Preston (25) in the slot, who diced up the defense and sent a beautiful feed through the legs of a defender to Saccoman for the goal. 

Unfortunately, Indy responded with a pair of goals at 13:20 and 19:10 (extra-attacker) to knot the score at three and send the game to overtime. 

Tyriq Outen (4-1-0-1) was stout in net, making 31 saves. The K-Wings went 1-for-2 on the power play, 1-for-1 on the penalty kill and took a 39-34 shot advantage in the contest. 

Grab your robes and wands, Wizards, Wands & Wings Night is back on Saturday, February 21, at Wings Event Center, presented by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan! Puck drop is at 4:30 p.m., presented by Discover Kalamazoo. Get swept into a spellbinding night of hockey magic, complete with wizard-themed fun and fanfare. Stick around postgame for our Specialty Jersey Auction, with proceeds supporting BBBS Southwest Michigan. Whether you're Gryffin-scoring or Slyther-winning, this night is pure wizarding wonder on ice!

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Our local first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. For that, we want to say, ‘Thank you.’ Join us to celebrate Kalamazoo’s finest on First Responders Night, honoring our local police officers, firefighters & EMTs at 7 p.m. EST March 6 at Wings Event Center. Plus, take advantage of the best food & drink deal in Kalamazoo via $3 Friday ($3 Beers, Sodas & Hot Dogs), presented by Bud Light.

Celebrate strength, spirit, and the power of women at K-Wings EmpowHER Night! We're spotlighting the incredible impact women make both in Kalamazoo and in sports at 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 7, at Wings Event Center. The first 1,000 women, of all ages, through the doors score a limited-edition EmpowHER K-Wings baseball cap! After the final whistle, stick around for a Fans Skate the Ice event - just $5 for skate rentals!

Mascot Madness is back and Slappy’s throwing the wildest party of the season at 3 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 8, at Wings Event Center! Catch your favorite mascots battling it out in intermission broomball! You won’t want to miss this family-friendly fan-favorite with all of Slappy’s friends.

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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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