FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2026
K-WINGS DROP HOME OPENER TO WALLEYE IN OT
Kalamazoo’s Aku Koskenvuo makes career-high 51 saves in first of twelve meetings with Toledo.
KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings (1-1-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, lost in overtime to the Toledo Walleye (2-1-0-0) in the Home Opener, 3-2.
Aku Kosekenvuo (1-0-2-0) was dazzling in this one, setting a new career-high with 51 saves, including a 19-save second period.
It took the Wings just 17 seconds to find the back of the net on Sean Chisholm’s (1) first career ECHL goal. Chisholm blasted a one-timer from the center of the slot via a wrap-around pass from Andre Ghantous (2). Cooper Walker (1) earned the secondary assist on the early goal.
Ghantous (1) added a second for Kalamazoo at the 14:42 mark of the first period. The forward took the puck from his own blue line and wristed a shot into the top left corner on a 2-on-1 rush. Brandon Buhr (2) recorded his second assist in two games with the secondary helper.
Toledo tied up the game with back-to-back tallies. The first came on the power play at 12:05 and again even-strength at 18:42 of the second period.
Neither team notched a goal in the third, before the Walleye added the overtime winner at the 2:31 mark.
The K-Wings went 5-for-6 on the penalty kill, and the Walleye outshot the Wings in the contest 54-19.
Next up, Kalamazoo hosts Bloomington (3-0-0-0) at 7 p.m. ET Saturday on Orange Ice at Wings Event Center.
Orange Ice is your Halloween Destination. Join the K-Wings on October 31 at 7 p.m. ET as they take on the Bloomington Bison. Show off your costume during our Adult and Children's costume contests (1st & 2nd Intermission) for a chance to win an Apple Watch (Adult) and Nintendo Switch (Children). Fans are encouraged to sign up for Adult and Children costume contests at the staffed table outside of Section 29 immediately upon entering the building. Contest spots fill fast, so don’t wait to sign up!
Tickets for the 2027 Outdoor Game are on sale NOW! Click HERE to purchase tickets! The game takes place at 3:00 p.m. EST on January 31 versus the Toledo Walleye at Waldo Stadium. For everything you need to know about the 2027 Outdoor Game, including FAQs, groups and suite information - Click HERE.
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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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