FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2026

K-WINGS OUT SNIPE CYCLONES, RIDE PRESTON & KEEFER HEROICS WEDNESDAY

Kalamazoo notches three multi-goal performances and drops Cincinnati on the road.   

BOX SCORE

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (20-20-3-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, return home victorious after exploding for three first-period goals and three multi-goal scorers, beating the Cincinnati Cyclones (21-22-3-0) on Wednesday at Heritage Bank Center, 6-4.

Kalamazoo enjoyed a four-point performance from Quinn Preston (2g, 2a) as well as three multi-point outings from David Keefer (2g, 1a), Josh Bloom (2g) and Davis Pennington (2a).

Keefer (4) sniped the game-winning goal inside the right post at the 16:00 mark of the third period. On the game-winner, Preston (24) sent a pass to Pennington (25) in the left circle, who passed behind his back to Keefer for the floater that found a home, capping his second goal of the night. 

Cincinnati struck first at the 12:32 mark, but Kalamazoo quickly responded.

Preston (18) answered with a net-front wrister at the 14:14 mark. On the play, Robby Drazner (9) received a Jayden Lee (16) pass and rushed towards the netminder’s right flank. Drazner then backhanded a pass across the crease to Preston for the equalizer. 

Keefer (3) then lit the lamp with a top-shelf snipe at the 16:47 mark. On the setup, Powell Connor (5) cleared the puck around the endboards to Preston (23). The alternate captain then sent a pass to Keefer in the high slot, who transitioned into the right circle before firing it home. 

Preston (19) continued the K-Wings’ first-period push with his second goal of the night 25 seconds later at the 17:12 mark. On the goal, Keefer (15) collected a loose puck and fired a shot from above the right circle that found Preston’s stick and deflected into the net, making the score 3-1. 

Unfortunately, the Cyclones held the middle frame momentum, responding with a trio of goals at the 55-second and 3:30 marks, then again on the power play at the 6:45 mark.

However, Bloom (5) evened the game on the rush at the 10:48 mark. On the equalizer, Pennington (24) passed to Zach Okabe (27) from the defensive zone, who then chipped a pass to Bloom over the left point. Bloom then rushed towards the crease and undressed the goaltender to knot the score at four. 

Bloom (6) went on to add the empty-net insurance goal with 16-seconds remaining in regulation. On the play, Colin Bilek (11) corralled a loose puck and led a pass to Bloom just over center ice for the empty net goal. 

Tyriq Outen (3-1-0-1) was stout in net, making 27 saves, and the K-Wings went 3-for-4 on the power play. 

Next up, 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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