FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 9, 2026

K-WINGS FIRST 3-GAME HOMESTAND THIS WEEK!

Kalamazoo readies for a three-game home set with New Mexico in the franchise's first meeting.

OVERALL RECORD:  3-4-2-0

LAST WEEK: 1-3-0-0
 

KALAMAZOO, MI - The Kalamazoo Wings (3-4-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, play three home games this week at Wings Event Center. Kalamazoo will host the New Mexico Goatheads (2-5-4-1) on Friday for Healthcare Appreciation, presented by Bronson, & $3 Friday at 7 p.m. ET; on Saturday for Bucks & Pucks Night at 7 p.m. ET; and end the weekend on Sunday with Floats for Coats at 3 p.m. ET.

Kalamazoo started the week on Wednesday with the first of two straight games at home versus Toledo. The Wings took an early lead on Dylan Wendt’s first-period power-play goal, but the Walleye answered quickly. Toledo added the only goal of the second period on the power play, and Kalamazoo responded early in the third with rookie forward Brandon Buhr’s first professional goal. Unfortunately, Toledo struck back quickly and held on the rest of the way. Aku Koskenvuo made 34 saves in the loss.

On Friday, the K-Wings took a 2-1 lead into the third period on the Walleye, but Toledo responded with three goals in 5:13 to start the period and never looked back. Rookie Brandon Buhr scored to make it a one-goal game with 4:34 remaining, but the Walleye clamped down the rest of the way. Mitchell Weeks made 44 saves in the loss, and the penalty kill was a perfect 3-for-3 on the evening.

On Saturday, the K-Wings battled back in their first trip to Fishers Event Center to face the Indy Fuel this season, and Ryan Cox played the hero less than 30 seconds into overtime. The two teams battled to a scoreless first period before Indy took a 1-0 lead at the 6:21 mark of the second. Kalamazoo punched back immediately to start the third period with defenseman Noel Edfelt’s goal, but the Fuel struck back quickly. Forward Tyler Gratton tied the game once again at the 7:34 mark, setting the stage for Cox in overtime. Rookie defenseman Noah Ellis recorded three assists, and Aku Koskenvuo made 19 saves in the win.

Finally, Sunday marked the first of 10 meetings this season with the Fort Wayne Komets, and it did not disappoint. The game remained tied at one until the 18:15 mark of the third, when the Komets scored the go-ahead goal off a faceoff win. Kalamazoo had a late power play, but Fort Wayne sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Rookie Adam Ingram scored his first professional goal to tie the game at the 4:27 mark of the third, and Mitchell Weeks made 47 saves in the loss.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN DETAIL

The K-Wings play three games at Wings Event Center this week. 

Friday (Nov. 13): Health Care Appreciation / $3 Friday

A NIGHT TO HONOR HEALTHCARE HEROES. Join us Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. as the K-Wings take on the New Mexico Goatheads for Healthcare Appreciation Night, presented by Bronson! We’re saying thank you. Plus, it’s $3 Friday, presented by Bud Light, with $3 beers, sodas and hot dogs until 8 p.m.! 

Saturday (Nov. 14): Bucks & Pucks 

THE NIGHT BEFORE OPENING DAY! Join us Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. as the K-Wings take on the New Mexico Goatheads for Bucks + Pucks Night! Get ready for Michigan’s favorite hunting tradition with the first 1,000 fans receiving a FREE K-Wings Flap Cap! Whether you’re headed to the woods Sunday morning or just love the outdoors, kick off deer season with the K-Wings! Stick around after the game for our Specialty Jersey Auction with all proceeds benefiting KOHA!

Sunday (Nov. 15): Floats for Coats

FLOATS FOR COATS DAY! Join us Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. as the K-Wings take on the New Mexico Goatheads! Donate a new or lightly used coat at the game and receive a voucher for a FREE ice cream float! All donated coats head to the Salvation Army of Kalamazoo. Plus, a face painter and balloon artist will be on hand, and kids eat FREE (12 and under)!

Two Weeks from now!

Wednesday (Nov. 25): Thanksgiving Eve / 2/6/9 Night

THANKSGIVING EVE + 269 NIGHT! Join us Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. as the K-Wings take on the Toledo Walleye for a night of hockey, hometown pride and great deals! The first 1,000 fans will receive a FREE K-Wings Mini Water Bottle Jug Cup! Plus, enjoy $2 beers, $6 wing baskets and $9 tickets (*11 on gameday)!

Saturday (Nov. 28): Lavender Ice & Teddy Bear Toss 

TWO FAN FAVORITES, ONE BIG NIGHT! Join us Saturday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. as the K-Wings take on the Wheeling Nailers for Teddy Bear Toss + Lavender Ice, presented by WMCC! Bring a new stuffed animal to toss onto the ice when the K-Wings score their first goal, with the U.S. Marine Corps on hand collecting the bears for Toys for Tots! Plus, we’ll shine a spotlight on Hockey Fights Cancer with Lavender Ice! Stick around after the game for our Specialty Jersey Auction, with proceeds benefiting WMCC!

Sunday (Nov. 29): Pirates and Princesses Day

ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR PIRATES & PRINCESSES DAY! Join us Sunday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. as the K-Wings take on the Cincinnati Cyclones for an afternoon made for our youngest fans! The first 500 kids (12 and under) will receive a FREE K-Wings Pirate Hat or Tiara, plus a face painter and balloon artist will be on hand! Then, show off your royal or swashbuckling style during our Pirates & Princesses Costume Parade during intermission, and stick around after the game for a postgame skate with just $5 skate rentals! Plus, kids eat FREE (12 and under)!

GOT 2027 OUTDOOR GAME TICKETS?

History will be made at 3 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 31, 2027, as the Kalamazoo Wings and Toledo Walleye meet in the first outdoor professional hockey game in Southwest Michigan history at Waldo Stadium. Experience the excitement of hockey under the open sky, and enjoy the convenience of parking included with every ticket purchase. Be there for this unforgettable day.

RESULTS

Wednesday, Nov. 4 – Toledo at Kalamazoo (L, 3-2), Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo, MI |Box Score

>>   The Kalamazoo Wings (2-2-2-0) fell Wednesday to the Toledo Walleye (4-2-0-0) at Wings Event Center, 3-2. Kalamazoo’s Dylan Wendt (2) got the game rolling with a power-play goal at the 13:45 mark of the first. Wendt stepped into a wrist shot that dribbled through Toledo’s goaltender and into the back of the net. Toledo tied the game just over two minutes later at the 16:21 mark, and took the lead at the 10:03 mark of the second period on the power play. The K-Wings battled back in the third, as Brandon Buhr (1) scored his professional goal to knot the game back up at two. Buhr blasted a slapshot from the slot side of the right circle that blistered into the back of the net at the 6:48 mark. Toledo replied quickly, though, scoring the game-winner at the 8:09 mark. The K-Wings went 1-for-3 on the power play, went 2-for-3 on the penalty kill and were outshot 37-22 in the contest. Aku Koskenvuo (1-1-2-0) added another stout performance, making 34 saves on the evening. 

Friday, Nov. 6 – Toledo at Kalamazoo (L, 4-3), Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo, MI | Box Score

>>  The Kalamazoo Wings (2-3-2-0) fell Friday to the Toledo Walleye (5-2-0-0) at Wings Event Center, 4-3. Zach Urdahl (3) started the scoring just 55 seconds into the second period. Urdahl slapped a shot from the left corner that caught the Toledo goaltender off-guard and snuck in the back of the net. Toledo tied the game at the 10:46 mark. Konstantin Khremin (2) then scored his second of the season on a 4-on-4 opportunity at the 12:25 mark. The forward followed a shot from Andre Ghantous (4) and snapped the puck into the open Toledo net from the right side of the crease. The Walleye flew out of the gate in the third period, scoring just 22 seconds into the period to tie the game once again. Toledo went on to score back-to-back goals at 4:34 and 5:35 to extend their lead to two. Brandon Buhr (2) converted another rebound opportunity in the slot to give the Wings life with 4:36 to go in the third. The K-Wings went 0-for-1 on the power play, went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and were outshot 48-23 in the contest. Mitchell Weeks (1-2-0-0) turned in a formidable performance, making a season-high 44 saves.

Saturday, Nov. 7 – Kalamazoo at Indy (OTW, 3-2), Fishers Event Center, Kalamazoo, MI | Box Score

>>  The Kalamazoo Wings (3-3-2-0) stormed back Saturday to beat the Indy Fuel (4-5-2-0) in overtime at Fishers Event Center, 3-2. Indy found the back of the net first with a second-period goal at the 6:21 mark and took a lead into the third period. Noel Edfeldt (2) got the Wings rolling at the 2:24 mark of the third. The defenseman snapped home a rebound from the left circle into an open Indy net. Indy reclaimed the lead 11 seconds later, though. Gratton (3) then tied the game for a second time at the 7:34 mark. Ryan Cox (1) notched the game-winner with his first goal of the season in overtime, walking off the game and completing the comeback. It took the K-Wings just 28 seconds to convert a 3-on-0 breakaway, finished by Cox. Aku Koskenvuo (2-2-0-0) made 19 saves during the contest, and both teams tallied 21 shots through three periods. The K-Wings were scoreless on the power play (0-1) and were a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. 

Sunday, Nov. 8 – Fort Wayne at Kalamazoo (L, 3-1), Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo, MI | Box Score

>>  The Kalamazoo Wings (3-4-2-0) fall to Fort Wayne Komets (4-4-0-1) Sunday on a late third-period goal, 3-1. The teams traded scoring opportunities in the first, but neither goaltender was beaten in the opening frame. Fort Wayne took advantage of Kalamazoo’s first power-play opportunity of the game, scoring short-handed with 58 seconds left in the second. Rookie Adam Ingram (1) scored his first professional goal to tie the game at one at the 4:27 mark of the third period. Ingram and Andre Ghantous connected on a give-and-go pass before snipping the puck into the top left corner. Unfortunately, Fort Wayne scored the game-winning goal with 1:45 left in the third period, and scored a shorthanded empty-net goal with nine seconds remaining. Mitchell Weeks (1-3-0-0) made a season-high 47 saves in the contest. The K-Wings were outshot 50-38 and were a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. 

 ON THE MOVE

• Rookie forward Brandon Buhr was recalled by Vancouver (NHL) and reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL). 

FAST FACTS

• Ryan Cox has now scored two career overtime winners against the Indy Fuel, including Saturday night's game-winner.
• Before getting recalled to the Vancouver Canucks (NHL), Brandon Buhr was riding a team-best four-game point streak (2g, 2a).
• Noah Ellis leads all ECHL rookie defensemen in both points (7) and assists (7). He also notched the team’s first three-point game in Saturday’s OT win against Indy. 

STATISTICAL LEADERS

POINTS:                 8 – Dylan Wendt

GOALS:                  3 –  Tyler Gratton, Zach Urdahl

ASSISTS:                7 – *Noah Ellis

PLUS/MINUS:      +2 – **Brandon Buhr

ROOKIE GOALS:   2 – **Brandon Buhr, *Konstantin Khremkin

ROOKIE ASSISTS: 7 – *Noah Ellis

PIMS:                     21 – Spencer Kennedy

PP GOALS:        1 – Stepan Timofeyev, Tyler Gratton, *Konstantin Khremkin, *Ryan St. Louis, Dylan Wendt

PP ASSISTS:           4 – Dylan Wendt

SH GOALS:        0 – N/A

GW GOALS:      1 – Collin Saccoman, Ryan Cox

SHOTS:             26  – Zach Urdahl

WINS:                     2 – Aku Koskenvuo

GAA:                     2.57 – Aku Koskenvuo

SAVE %:               .929 – Aku Koskenvuo

*     Rookie

**   Currently with Abbotsford (AHL)

*** Currently with Vancouver (NHL)

SPECIAL TEAMS

POWER PLAY:   Last Week – 1/9  (11.1%)

                            This Season – 6/36 (16.7%) |No. 13 (ECHL)   

PENALTY KILL:   Last Week – 11/12 (91.7%)

                             This Season – 33/36 (91.7%)| No. 3 (ECHL)

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Are you a group planner at work or for the family? Save serious money on ticket packages of 10 or more, while delivering a group experience of a lifetime with the K-Wings. Plus, take advantage of more savings with our summer booking incentives NOW! 

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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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