FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2026

K-WINGS FALL TO RUSH SATURDAY AT HOME

Kalamazoo drops the middle game of the series versus Rapid City in the annual Pucks & Paws Night. 

BOX SCORE

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (27-26-3-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, could not overcome goals on the first two shots of the second period by the Rapid City Rush (25-30-4-1), falling Saturday at Wings Event Center, 3-2.

Rapid City took the initial lead, scoring a goal on its first shot of the contest at the 1:02 mark of the first period. 

Evan Dougherty (4) continued his hot streak by sneaking in a five-hole goal on the rush at the 3:14 mark. On the play, Colson Gengenbach (6) started the play behind the Kalamazoo net, passing to Collin Saccoman (14), who launched a beautiful rink-wide pass from his own goal line to Dougherty, rushing in the slot for the goal. 

Unfortunately, the Rush responded with a pair of second-period goals at the 4:35 and 5:56 marks to bring the score to 3-1 Rapid City heading into the final frame. 

Ryan Cox (14) then deposited a net-front goal at the 2:32 mark to bring the K-Wings within one. On the setup, the K-Wings and Rush skated 4-on-4 as Saccoman (15) started a 3-on-3 blitz into the offensive zone, finding Jackson Kunz (5), who quickly relayed to Cox for the goal. 

Jonathan Lemieux (10-7-1-3) was stout in net, making 35 saves in the contest. The K-Wings went 4-for-5 on the penalty and 0-for-4 on the power-play. 

Next up, Kalamazoo concludes the three-game series versus the Rush at 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday at Wings Event Center, featuring a kids’ Jersey Giveaway. 

Little fans, big energy! It’s our third Jersey Giveaway Sunday game, and this one’s all about the kids - and hockey-inspired at 3 p.m. EDT, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield. The first 500 kids (12 & under) score a Detroit Red Wings-themed K-Wings hockey jersey, and the fun doesn’t stop there. After the game, Kids (under-12) hit the ice for an epic Golden Shot prize showdown. Let’s hear it for the next generation of hockey legends!

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Wastin’ away again at Wings Event Center! Margaritaville Night, presented by Honor Credit Union, brings the beach vibes to the barn on April 3. Plus, sip $3 beers, sodas, and dogs ’til 8 PM, then kick back, relax, and enjoy a tropical twist on K-Wings hockey. Also, don’t miss the Jersey Auction post-game benefiting KZoo Parks - flip flops optional, fun guaranteed!

51 years of K-Wings hockey wouldn’t be possible without YOU - our incredible fans! Get loud and join us for Fan Appreciation Night!  We’re celebrating the best fans in the league at our final regular-season Saturday game, on Apr. 11, presented by Bronson. We’re packing the night with giveaways, surprises, and family fun from puck drop to final horn. Puck drops at 4:30 p.m., presented by Discover Kalamazoo. Be one of the first 1,000 through the doors and score a K-Wings team poster!

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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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