CINCINNATI- A fast start offensively and stellar goaltending was the recipe the Kalamazoo Wings used to extend their season-long winning streak to eight games (7-0-0-1) with a 5-2 victory Saturday night over the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Jumping ahead just 46 seconds into the contest, Matt Caria dangled around the 
Cyclones and lifted a wrister over the shoulder of Sam Brittain. The tally from Caria was the quickest to start a game this season for Kalamazoo.
After intercepting an errant pass the Cyclones capitalized on a two-on-zero breakaway with a goal from Steven Hodges (3rd) to tie the game at 1-1 8:28 into the period.
Responding immediately, the K-Wings regained the lead 1:23 later with a backhanded marker from Lane Scheidl (8th).
Kalamazoo closed out the scoring in the stanza with a rebound tally from Justin Taylor (4th).
Neither team was able to score in the second period. Cincinnati generated a majority of the scoring chances in the stanza, as they outshot the K-Wings 15-4.
Caria earned his second of the night 48 seconds into the third period with a breakaway tally. With 11 goals, Caria is tied with Curtis Valk and Dane Fox for the team lead in goals scored.
Cincinnati attempted a comeback minutes later with a goal from Joe Basraba (6th). However, Kalamazoo grew the lead by to three goals with a goal from Ray Kaunisto (3rd). Coming out the box, Kaunisto snuck behind the defense and receive a pass in stride from Sam Ftorek for the breakaway tally.
As good was the K-Wings offense was, the goaltending was better. Joel Martin (13-8-1-1) stood on his head making 35 saves, including 15 in the second period.
The K-Wings registered three goals on nine shots in the first. By scoring three goals in the opening period, the K-Wings tied their best offensive output to start a game. Prior to Saturday the K-Wings, who netted three goals in the first period on four separate occasions, won all four of those previous contests.
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