K-Wings get past Komets in pre-holiday matchup

KALAMAZOO, MI –  The Kalamazoo Wings (7-4-0-0) feasted on the Fort Wayne Komets (8-4-1-0) to earn their seventh victory of the season at Wings Event Center on Wednesday night.

The Komets got the scoring going early in the game, as good passing left Connor Jones open for an easy goal just 3:35 into the first period. Eight minutes later, a high-sticking penalty left Fort Wayne a man down. With just a second left on the penalty, Matteson Iacopelli deflected in a shot into the net to even the score.

Two minutes later, Kyle Blaney got in on the action.  A shot from Tanner Sorenson bounced off Komets goaltender Jiri Patera and into the lap of Blaney, who drained the puck top shelf. The Komets finished the scoring in the 1st when a shot from the blue line was deflected in by Fort Wayne Forward DJ King to make it 2-2 at the end of one. For all the scoring, each team only put up 6 shots on goal.

The scoring continued in the second frame. 3:48 into the period, Logan Lambdin made a nifty move in the left circle and pinged a shot off the pipe to put Kalamazoo ahead 3-2. The Komets responded at 12:09 into the second when Fort Wayne forward Nick Jermain put a rebounded shot into the net. The tie would not last. A minute later, a puck battle behind the Komets net left Erik Bradford wide open in front. The puck poked out, and Bradford tapped in to give Kalamazoo a 4-3 and ultimately, the game-winner.

In the third, the scoring stopped and things got chippy as Kalamazoo and Fort Wayne each separately earned two major fighting penalties. In total, eight penalties were assessed and no goals were scored.

K-Wings net minder Jet Greaves stopped 23 of 26 shots faced in the victory. Komets goalie Patera saved 23 of the 27 shots he faced in a losing effort.

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