FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2026

K-WINGS FALL TO HEARTLANDERS, PRESTON WITH HAT TRICK SATURDAY

Kalamazoo drops season-series finale with Iowa, finishing the season with a 6-3 record overall.   

BOX SCORE

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (19-20-3-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, fell despite three goals in the third and a hat trick performance against the Iowa Heartlanders (15-28-2-2) on Saturday at Xtream Arena, 6-4.

Quinn Preston (15) started the scoring for the K-Wings, depositing a putback tuck from the top of the crease at the 4:04 mark to take the initial lead. On the play, Powell Connor (4) sent a blue line pass to Colin Bilek (11) in the left circle, who fired a shot that ricocheted off the legs of a defender to Preston’s stick for the goal. 

The Heartlanders then answered with four straight goals. The first came at the 16:12 mark and then the next two at the 8:42 and 9:48 marks of the second period. The last coming on the power play at the 13:47 mark.

Preston (16) then found the back of the net for the second time of the night at the 5-minute mark of the third period. On the setup, Zach Okabe (25) sent a circle-to-circle pass to Josh Bloom (7) at the right dot. Bloom then threaded a pass through the crease to Preston waiting at the net front. 

Unfortunately, Iowa added another pair of goals at the 5:41 and 8:34 marks, bringing the score to 6-2. 

Preston (17) then ripped the twine for his first professional hat trick at the 14:40 mark. On his third goal of the night, David Keefer (14), skating toward the slot, sent a pass to Robby Drazner (8) in the right circle. Drazner then outletted a pass to Preston waiting in his favorite spot at the crease for the hatty. 

Ryan Cox (11) then found the net with 26-seconds remaining. Okabe (26) and Bloom (8) were each credited with assists on the play. 

Ty Young (7-5-1-0) made 25 saves in the contest. The K-Wings took the shot advantage 35-31 and went 1-for-4 on the power play. 

Next up, the K-Wings hit the road for a mid-week matchup against the Cincinnati Cyclones (20-20-3-0) at 7:35 p.m. EST on Wednesday, February 18, at Heritage Bank Center. 

Kalamazoo returns home for a $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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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!

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 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.

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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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