FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2026

K-WINGS FALL IN SHOOTOUT TO BISON SUNDAY

Kalamazoo fights back for vital point, Bloomington prevails in shootout.   

BOX SCORE

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (17-17-2-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, overcame a two-goal deficit versus the Bloomington Bison (21-16-2-2) to force overtime, but fell in the shootout on Sunday at Wings Event Center, 4-3.

Nolan Walker (11) continued his hot streak with a top-shelf power-play snipe, bringing the score to 3-2, drawing the K-Wings to within one at the 10:31 mark of the third period. On the setup, Colin Bilek (7) passed to Walker at the top of the right circle. Walker then went back and forth with Josh Bloom (1) at the goal-line before sniping his fourth goal in the last two games. 

Zach Okabe (10) then tied the game at three with a bullet from the bottom of the left circle at the 18:42 mark. On the equalizer, Bilek (8) passed to Bloom (2) in the right circle, who crossed to Okabe in the left circle, sending the game to overtime. 

Bloomington took the early momentum, scoring the first two goals of the contest, one at the 12:36 mark of the first period and another at the 2:11 mark of the second period. 

However, Ryan Cox (9) responded with a putback goal at the 16:23 mark. On the play, Griffin Ness (3) notched his 50th ECHL point by passing to Hunter Strand (10) in the high slot, who fired a shot that caromed off the netminder's pads to Cox’s stick on the right edge of the crease. 

Unfortunately, the Bison quickly struck again on the power play, regaining a 2-goal lead at the 19:45 mark. Bloomington went on to score the only goal of the shootout.

Jonathan Lemieux (5-5-1-3) remained stout, turning aside 26 of 29 shots. The K-Wings went 1-for-4 on the power play, 2-for-3 on the penalty kill and took the shot advantage, 36-30. 

Next up, 269 Night is back at 7:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, February 4, at Wings Event Center! It’s a party all about the 269 as the K-Wings host the Cyclones with $2 Beers, $6 Wing Baskets and $9 tickets (*Tickets $9 if purchased at Box Office &  $11 if purchased Gameday).

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Kick off the weekend with $3 Friday, presented by Bud Light, as the K-Wings face the Bloomington Bison on Friday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy $3 beers, sodas, and hot dogs until 8 p.m. - it’s the best value in hockey and the perfect way to start your weekend in Kalamazoo!

It’s time for the 25th annual Pink Ice game at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, at Wings Event Center - a beloved Kalamazoo tradition! Whether you're honoring Breast Cancer survivors or making it a Valentine's celebration to remember, Pink Ice promises a night full of meaning and memories. Join us for a special pregame ceremony and puck drop as we celebrate the strength and resilience of survivors. Plus, all fans will receive LED Batons to light up the arena in Pink!

Start your weekend with a win at $3 Friday as the K-Wings take on the Indy Fuel on Friday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Enjoy $3 beers, sodas, and hot dogs until 8 p.m.—the perfect combo of hockey action and unbeatable deals!

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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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