FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 20, 2026

K-WINGS TAKE SERIES OPENER VERSUS RUSH FRIDAY AT HOME

Kalamazoo rides great defensive play and fourth-line production to take the first game of the trio versus Rapid City. 

BOX SCORE

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (27-25-3-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, refused to give up a second-period lead in a gritty team win over the Rapid City Rush (24-30-4-1) Friday at Wings Event Center, 3-2.

Kalamazoo’s fourth line of Colson Gengenbach (1g), Evan Dougherty (2a) and Hunter Strand (1g) combined for four points and played a phenomenal defensive game, along with 33 Jonathan Lemieux (10-6-1-3) saves, propelled the K-Wings to victory.  

Gengenbach (2) started the scoring for the K-Wings, depositing a rebound into the twine at the 12:15 mark of the second period for his second goal of the season. On the play, Dougherty (5) passed to Powell Connor (8), who fired a slapshot from the high slot that caromed off the netminder’s leg pad to Gengenbach on the right bend of the crease. 

David Keefer (6) then banged a bar-down missile from the right circle to give the K-Wings a momentary 2-0 lead at the 1:09 mark of the third period. On the goal, Davis Pennington (30) passed to Andre Ghantous (18), who fed Keefer in the high slot for the goal. 

Only 1:24 later, the Rush notched their first goal, bringing the score to 2-1. 

That’s when Strand (14) deposited a goal-line present at the 9:20 mark to regain a two-goal lead. On the setup, Collin Saccoman (13) crossed a pass to Dougherty (6), who launched a shot from inside the blue line that deflected to Strand for the goal. 

However, Rapid City found the back of the net at the 11:45 mark, but the K-Wings slammed the door shut the rest of the way out, killing off over two minutes of extra-attacker time for their 20th 1-goal victory of the season. 

The K-Wings went a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, and the shot total was knotted at 35 each.

Next up, Kalamazoo runs it back in Peanuts and Pucks N’ Paws Night at Wings Event Center in the second of three straight games versus Rapid City tomorrow, Saturday, Mar. 21, for a  4:30 p.m. EDT puck drop presented by Discover Kalamazoo. 

Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang are taking over Wings Event Center as the K-Wings face off against the Rush. It’s also Pucks ‘N Paws - where your pup takes center ice! We’re silencing the goal horns and turning up the tail wags. Plus, don’t miss the dog race during the first intermission and the Peanuts-themed specialty jersey auction after the game, benefiting the MRC Industries!

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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 on Sunday, March 22, 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!

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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