FORT WAYNE, IND – Chris Collins scored in the final three minutes of regulation but it wasn’t enough as Kalamazoo fell to the Fort Wayne Komets 2-1 on Thursday night.
An assist on Collins goal in the third period extended Reid Gardiner’s point streak to nine-games. The loss marked the first time in over a month that the K-Wings had lost back-to-back games.
After the first two periods saw a combined 43 saves between Jake Hildebrand and Lukas Hafner, the Komets got on the board first just under five minutes into the third period. A shortened break away from Justin Hodgman left a loose puck in front of the net. Jake Kamrass found that puck and chipped it into the top corner breaking the ice and giving the Komets the 1-0 lead. Just shy of the midway mark of the period the Komets doubled the lead, getting what would be the game-winning goal. Curling behind the net Jamie Schaafsma banked a puck off Hildebrand and into the net putting the Komets up 2-0.
Late in the period the K-Wings were pressuring and managed to snap the shutout. Tanner Sorenson connected with Collins in front who cut the lead to 2-1 with his 11th goal of the season. Collins’ tally would be all the offense the K-Wings got however as Fort Wayne held the K-Wings scoreless in the last few minutes, skating away with a 2-1 victory.
Hafner stopped 24 of 25 shots in the victory while Hildebrand stopped 37 of 39 shots he faced. Kalamazoo continues a three-in-three on Friday night at Wings Event Center as the Wheeling Nailers come to town.
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